Patriotic achievements and sectarian threats

“My injury is an honor and pride. It only further strengthens me to defend this country and stand by it leaders, security men and people,” said the mayor of Tarout island in Qatif governorate, Abdulhalim al-Kaidar, following the vicious attack against him.

A few days after the incident, Sadeq Hussein al-Awad was martyred while defending Saudi borders. He proved to the world that the army is defending the kingdom, and that citizenship is not limited to a particular sect, as Ismailis, Sufis, Shiites and Sunnis stand united in defending their country.

Terrorism

Terrorism is fighting moderation. This can be seen particularly with the assassination attempt against Kaidar, who is well-known for his patriotism within the context of the state and its institutions and concepts.

Following the attack against him, former judge and Sheikh Abdullah al-Khunaizi said: “All forms of violence and using arms and attacking sanctities are rejected by law and sharia as they will sow chaos in society, thus tampering with civil peace and leading to instability and loss of the bliss of security.”

These are loyal and patriotic stances. Media figures must go beyond sectarian rhetoric when describing patriotic achievements, so we do not become sectarian like Lebanon. It is enough that all citizens defend their country regardless of their affiliation, tribe, or area they live in.

This article was first published in Okaz on Aug. 4, 2016.

______________________
Turki Aldakhil is the General Manager of Al Arabiya News Channel. He began his career as a print journalist, covering politics and culture for the Saudi newspapers Okaz, Al-Riyadh and Al-Watan. He then moved to pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat and pan-Arab news magazine Al-Majalla. Turki later became a radio correspondent for the French-owned pan-Arab Radio Monte Carlo and MBC FM. He proceeded to Elaph, an online news magazine and Alarabiya.net, the news channel’s online platform. Over a ten-year period, Dakhil’s weekly Al Arabiya talk show “Edaat” (Spotlights) provided an opportunity for proponents of Arab and Islamic social reform to make their case to a mass audience. Turki also owns Al Mesbar Studies and Research Centre and Madarek Publishing House in Dubai. He has received several awards and honors, including the America Abroad Media annual award for his role in supporting civil society, human rights and advancing women’s roles in Gulf societies. He tweets @TurkiAldakhil.