Saudi Press Roundup

Saudi-Pakistan ties
THE relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are getting stronger. Both countries follow moderate policies based on the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah. There is nothing to wonder if the two Muslim countries expand their military alliance.
Those who follow Saudi-Pakistan ties might have noticed the strategic partnership between the two countries in developing nuclear weapons.
Western powers unfairly call it Islamic bomb, raising a big hue and cry against Muslim countries possessing nuclear weapons while ignoring the nuclear bombs possessed by countries such as Israel, Russia, India and China. They did not describe them as Jewish bomb or Christian or Hindu or Buddhist bomb.
On what basis the western and eastern countries possess nuclear weapons and deny the same right to Muslim countries to have this deterrent weapon? The US and other western powers follow double standards on the issue, saying nuclear club countries should have democratic maturity.
We have seen America dropping nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki without any legitimate reason. We have also seen in the World War II western countries using this dangerous weapon in violation of the international law.
People will have the right to obtain advanced weapons. Iran recently concluded an agreement with Russia to receive S-300 ballistic missiles.
High-level exchange of visits between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan since Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman ascended the throne reflects the historic ties between the two major Muslim countries.
Some western analysts were not happy with recent visit of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, to Pakistan. I am sure that Prince Mohammed’s talks with top Pakistani officials would have covered prospects of enhancing cooperation in all sectors.
—By Sami Saeed Habib, Al-Madinah

United we stand
THE Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, which is very small in number, is continuing its blunder by targeting Muslims praying in mosques. They commit this horrendous crime in order to frighten people and create divisions in the society. This terrorism has nothing to do with Islam and Muslims. The government under the strong leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, senior officials as well as the general public reject this absurdity, which no religion or culture or sane individual would endorse. Saudi Arabia is strong enough to overcome this situation. At the same time, we are deeply saddened by seeing innocent Muslims killed and wounded. In a statement after Qatif mosque attack, King Salman said the government would do everything possible to ensure the safety of its citizens. We have seen citizens from different parts of the Kingdom competing with one another in extending condolences to terror attack victims.
This reflects the cohesion of the Saudi society and that nobody would be able to divide them along sectarian lines. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif was at the forefront of those who visited Qatif to offer his condolences to the victims of the suicide bombing. He spoke to people during the Qatif visit, without being surrounded by security officers.
This unsuccessful attempt by the terrorist group to divide the Saudi society would find its right place in the dustbin of history. However, the incident gives the message that all citizens should stand together against this deviant ideology. The government has set up specialized committees of experts to counsel young Saudis who are enticed by deviant groups in order to bring them back to senses. Families have a big role to play in protecting their children from such dangerous groups as they would not be happy to see their children being used as explosives to kill innocent people.
We are all soldiers of our beloved nation. Mosque leaders, media persons, teachers of schools and universities and social media activists should join hands in the fight against extremism and terrorism.
— By Turki Abdullah Al-Sudairy, Al-Riyadh

Creating Hezbollahs
WE don’t have any issue with the Shiites because we hear every now and then from Saudi leaders that the Shiites in our country deserve all rights as citizens. But the issue is with Iran that creates chaos and conflicts in the region on the basis of a hidden agenda, which is now well known to everybody.
The Iranians want to create Hezbollahs in every Arab country. It has already done that in Lebanon and Iraq and is now working in Bahrain, Yemen and Saudi Arabia to achieve the same objective.
Iran also tries to give the wrong impression that the Shiites are oppressed in the Kingdom and are not receiving their rights. We have also seen its role in instigating the Shiites in Bahrain to revolt against the government while in Yemen the Houthis captured the rule from the legitimate government by force and occupied headquarters of ministries. It’s not at all a secret that the Houthis have been receiving all-out assistance from the Iranians.
Tehran wants to impose its hegemony in the region and it intends to use its nuclear deal with the US and other western powers to realize this objective. America prefers to have stronger relations with Iran to realize its interests. We believe that Washington would soon realize that it was wrong in its calculations.
We should be strong to convince the Americans. By launching Operation Decisive Storm, we have proved that we can change our situation and that of the Arab world. We should continue our efforts to get stronger. I think that we should possess nuclear weapons for reinforcing peace and stability in the region.
The western powers might have reached a deal with Iran at our expense. But if we possess the same nuclear weapon Tehran would not be able to threaten Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries.
— By Ali Al-Khabti, Al-Watan

Targeting mosques
I believe that the Islamic State terrorist organization would not last long. Subsequently, the plans to divide the region will fail. History has proved that all terrorist groups based on religion have gone away.
An IS statement on the suicide bombing at Al-Anoud Mosque in Dammam on Friday (May 29) described that mosque as a temple of idolaters. It was calling the Sunnis to get rid of the Shiites in the Arab world.
This statement clearly proves that the IS wanted to realize the objectives of enemies to divide the Ummah and weaken their military power as happened in Libya, Iraq and Syria.
The IS, which can be called as new Tatars, are paving the way for a new occupation. Terrorist groups recruit youth who could be easily brainwashed to carry out their operations.
IS will disappear sooner or later when it fails to carry out major subversive operations in the Arab world, for which major powers have allocated huge funds. The use of religion to grab political power will also fail.
IS will be trashed because of its role in tarnishing the image of Islam by carrying out terrorist operations and killings. They are trying to take us back to the Dark Age. This terror group is the creation of Al-Qaeda. Every party that wears the cloak of religion tries to create division in the society on sectarian grounds, cheating their religion and nation.
— By Hussain Abu Al-Sabaa, Al-Jazira

KSA will defeat terror
WHAT is the intention of the IS terror organization by launching attacks on worshippers at mosques in our country? The terrorists should know that their cowardly operations would only strengthen the resolve of the Saudi government and people to stand united in the fight against terror.
The country that carries the flag of Islam will emerge victorious in confronting terrorism and extremism. The terrorists have attacked worshippers at Al-Qadeeh and Al-Anoud mosques exposing their evil intentions. They will surely be disappointed seeing the unexpected strong reaction of the government and people who have jointly opposed the heinous crime.
In order to confront terrorism, we should first of all enlighten the public, especially the youth against being cheated by the attractive slogans of terrorist groups. Islamic scholars should do their duty in exposing terrorist groups and their vested interests. Prayer leaders should use the Friday sermons to educate people on the moderate teachings of Islam.
We should mobilize all resources in the fight against extremism and terrorism. The Holy Qur’an says: “And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know (but) whom Allah knows. And whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.” (8:60)
We should not allow the enemy to frighten us. We have seen such terrorist attacks before. It did not affect the Kingdom’s economy or progress. Our country will go forward, raising its head, with the support of God. The terrorist explosions would not undermine the Kingdom’s security and stability but will remain a strong member of the G-20 countries.
— By Abdul Hamid Al-Amry, Al-Eqtisadiah

Respecting differences
FIFA, the regulator of international football, has been implementing its systems on all member countries, including democratic elections to the board of sports clubs in the Kingdom.
We have experience in electing board members of the chambers and municipal councils. But in most cases our elections were governed by tribal leanings and feelings.
Overall the experiment was good, though the turnout of voters was poor. It will enable people to learn the basics of democratic principles, especially to respect the viewpoint of others.
We have heard usages such as “despite my respect to the opponent” or “I don’t want to underestimate that individual” or “I may be wrong” following the election and this means we have learned a lot.
Our young men and women have been watching these developments with interest and excitement and I am sure they would benefit from them and would be more receptive to democratic principles.
— By Shaher Al-Nahari, Makkah Newspaper