Homeland and citizen are two simple words but they have a great impact on our minds. They are inseparable because there cannot be a homeland without citizens and vice versa.
Homeland means a home and security, while citizen means identity and belonging. Home means a state and sovereignty, while citizen means loyalty and trustworthiness.
Moreover, homeland means land, people and riches, while citizen means partnership. It is said that “homeland, patriotism and citizenship are a civilized system in which the state is the container, the contract its constitution and justice, understanding and love its guardians.” This summarises the meanings of homeland and citizen.
These qualities should be translated into reality. We should instil them in young people. They need to know what it means to sacrifice for the sake of their homeland, grow up loving their generous nation and understand its greatness.
By doing so, we can enlighten our youngsters so that they grow up knowing that love for the country cannot be abandoned or bargained over.
In addition, we should teach them that cooperation, integration and healthy competition among citizens is the means by which they can serve their interests and preserve their dignity and freedom. This is the path our parents and predecessors took. This path is our only option.
In the course of bringing about a renaissance which has brought about accomplishments that are improving our homeland, we must not forget the citizen, who cannot be isolated from the achievements of the homeland.
Therefore, we must promote and develop the citizens’ competencies and skills. We want to see the citizen an active partner in every work that aims at building this lofty structure (the homeland). Both men and women are to be given equal responsibilities. Men and women are two pillars of our homeland; the impenetrable fortress of our country’s national security, sovereignty and glory among nations.
Patriotism is a part of faith. For this reason, everyone is equally responsible for the homeland. Justice, integrity, competence, skill and experience are the standards by which we measure the citizen’s performance in building up the homeland. May God keep you all safe!
