Saudi Aramco’s senior Pakistani employees organized a gathering in the Eastern Province recently to condemn this month’s terrorist attack on a public school in Pakistan.

Malik Fazal Mehmood, moderator of the program, described the attack as “extremely reprehensible.” He said it has shocked people across the world, with many still trying to comprehend what motivated the terrorists to commit this crime, particularly since it targeted non-combatants.

The program started with a recital from the Qur’an by Saifaullah Saniee, followed by a "naat" and the country’s nation anthem performed by students from the Pakistani school in Alkhobar. A prominent social worker, Syed Ali Mohsin of Schlumberger, recited an emotional poem in memory of the martyred children.

Chaudhry Niyaz, principal of the Pakistan International School in Alkhobar, said it was a heinous attack on innocent children, while the keynote speaker Asif Ali of Prince Muhammad University in Dammam, said the incident has raised many questions for Pakistanis and the Muslim Ummah.

Ali said Pakistan’s education system was failing to contribute to a moral and tolerant society. Lack of development in the country’s far-flung rural areas was creating extreme deprivation and anger among citizens.

The Pakistan government must address this if it hopes to end such incidents, he said. It was also the duty of parents to teach their children about the Qur’an and Hadith at home, so that they do not fall prey to those trying to misguide them with incorrect interpretations.

An employee of Saudi Aramco from Abqaiq, Syed Roshan Ali, said he was deeply saddened by the death of so many blameless young people, and called on all Pakistanis to become more vigilant. Syed Azmat Siddiqui from Udhailiya expressed similar views.

Qamar Sharif, who works at Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, referred to the Qur’anic verses stating that Allah does not change the condition of people until they make an effort to transform themselves. He said it was time for Muslims to change society based on Islamic principles.

Rafaqat Khan from Saudi Aramco Abqaiq said that his heart and mind still cannot get to grips with what had happened. In an emotional address, he repeatedly asked who these people were who could kill children in such a coldblooded manner. He said Pakistanis must do everything they can to rid the country of these terrorists.

Mehmood concluded the event with an appeal for all citizens to use their intelligence and not emotions to tackle this issue, and find what is at the root of these attacks. He thanked Pakistan Forum Eastern Province, Marhaba and Lasani restaurants and Karawan compound for supporting the event. Izhar Ahmed Siddiqui from Saudi Aramco Abqaiq Plants ended proceedings with a prayer.