Saudi Press Roundup

US-IS confrontation

Americans are going through a major crisis after the Islamic State (IS) militants killed US journalist Steven Sotloff. The journalist’s mother has sent a heart-breaking letter to IS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi challenging his Islamic credentials.
The barbaric slaughter of Sotloff and the circulation of its video clip through the social media have intensified the Americans’ anger toward the terrorist group. As a result, President Barack Obama, who has been facing crisis after crisis during the past year, pledged to destroy IS.
America and its allies are in a dilemma. For the first time, they are confronting a terrorist organization that has taken control of vast swaths of land. The most perplexing issue for western leaders, terror experts and media persons is the large number of western youths joining IS. Evidences show that the IS militant who slaughtered two US journalists was a Briton. The terrorist group has kidnapped a British citizen and they may kill him at any time and we can imagine the condition of that Briton, his family and friends. It has posed a big challenge for Prime Minister Cameron.
Latest reports show that the US, and its allies have vowed to destroy IS and we hope they would destroy IS strongholds in Iraq and Syria.
— By Dr. Ahmad Al-Farraj

GCC’s unity

People like me have been looking forward to a quick end to the conflict between Qatar and three other GCC states. Every time when the GCC Ministerial Council meets, we hope it would solve the problem and things will return to normal. The conflict has certainly pained many people in the GCC.
The political conflict between these countries is gradually spreading to their citizens and this will have a negative impact on the GCC unity. Some political analysts have tried to fish in the troubled waters by exaggerating the conflict and dealt with the issue unwisely without showing farsightedness.
The GCC people are the main victims of the continuing crisis. The GCC should stand united to confront the tsunami of developments that are taking place around them, including the threat of terrorism and political turmoil. We should also understand that there are some regional forces that want to expand the GCC conflict to make gains out of it. Big powers will also exploit the situation to realize their vested interests. The continuation of the conflict will also weaken the joint negotiating power of the GCC.
— By Mohammed Al-Rumaihi

Dream it to do it

The great leaders who wrote their history with golden letters were people having great dreams. Dream is the main driving force behind a success. Because of our situation, we Arabs give little importance to dreams. For world leaders, dreams were like stars that gave them direction to reach their goals. Successful people will be determined to go ahead with their plans and programs and they will not be stumbled in front of obstacles. Abraham Lincoln was a good example for a person who was not ready to succumb to failures until he realized his dreams.
When he was 24, he failed in business and he lost all his money in another business when he was 34. He was defeated in an election when he was 40 dashing his hopes to become a Congress member. He faced setbacks after setbacks until he was 50. But in 52 he was elected president of the US.
It was Lincoln’s determination that helped him to win the top position in his country. Charles Dickens, who had faced so many problems in his life, confronted the challenges with confidence and became a great novelist of his time.
Leo Tolstoy, the famous author of War and Peace, is also one of those personalities who believed in themselves and worked continuously to realize their dreams. There is a famous quote from Walt Disney: “If you can dream it you can do it.”
— By Zainab Ibrahim Al-Khodairy

Labor conflicts

The Labor Ministry organized a two-day workshop in Riyadh recently to discuss ways and means for developing mechanisms and regulations to settle labor conflicts. Representatives from workers, employers and the ministry took part in the discussions.
Frank discussions between the three parties of labor conflicts are essential to organize the labor market and settle disputes between workers and their employers.
All countries give top importance to matters related to labor disputes. The issue also demands continuous development of mechanisms and regulations in order to protect the rights of both workers and employers.
It is essential to protect Saudi and expat workers from the craziness and greediness of certain employers. Reorganization of the labor market with foolproof regulations will certainly reduce labor conflicts.
As part of the ongoing efforts to develop the labor market, I would like to suggest that expat workers who come to the Kingdom should be asked to register their address in the Kingdom within 10 days.
There are more than nine million expats and it is essential to register their email and home addresses.
— By Mohammed Al-Shwiaer

Islam stands for mercy

There is a Hadith reported by Abdullah bin Masood who said: “Once we were traveling with Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and we saw a bird with its two chicks. We took the chicks for fun when the Prophet was away and the bird was hovering over us to get back the chicks. When the Prophet came back, he asked us who hurt the feeling of this bird by taking its chicks, return them to it.” This is the teaching of the Prophet of Islam, which is totally different from what is propagated and implemented by extremists and militants.
The Prophet had also informed us that Allah punished a woman for restraining a cat in her house without giving food or water until its death. In another Hadith, Allah has stated that, “My Mercifulness has superseded My Anger.” (Bukhari)
Shariah, which contains humane rules and regulations, brought smile on the face of humanity and fought against oppression and injustice. With the passage of time and the death of great believers, people have distanced themselves away from the glittering light of the Prophet’s teachings and followed the opinion of certain individuals. Proponents and followers of those opinions tarnished the image of Islam through their gruesome acts.
— By Khedr bin Sanad

Protecting the Haia’s image

The confrontation between an official of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia) and a British couple was the talk of the town last week. The wide publicity the incident received through the social media was instrumental in tarnishing Haia’s image. However, I believe that if there is a referendum on the important role of Haia in our society, the majority will support it considering its efforts in fighting vice.
At the same time, the way some Haia officials deal with things is not acceptable as they sometimes unnecessarily terrorize and threaten people, giving a bad name to the organization. The Haia should take quick steps to change the behavior of its officials to safeguard its reputation in this age of social media and modern information technology. At the same time, we have to extend every support to the Haia to fulfill its true mission.
— By Ibrahim Mohammed Badawood