The past few days have twice witnessed events that used to occur only once in several decades in the past. This is not only true at the local level in Syria and with regard to what happened to our brethren in the Levant, but also at the level of the Gulf and the rest of the Islamic world.
We have to realise that this is a religious issue, not a political one, as some people like to believe. This is why some people have been working hard for more than 50 years now, putting to use all their political, economic and social abilities to serve the best interests of their faith. In doing so, these people believe that their faith is the right one. Entire nations, parties and groups follow this faith.
Most of us, however, have all these years considered issues related to these people to be political and economic. We used to view them as being greedy, nothing more. But little have we tried to see the religious dimension in the actions of these people. We have never tried to look at their plans. This is why all our planning in this regard was built on ground that was solid in no way.
Remember how these people acted at the regional and international levels, using hypocritical diplomacy that hid envy and hatred for the Gulf and the people of the Arabian Peninsula. They taught their children to envy us and our countries. They filled their official and unofficial institutions and homes with these feelings.
Here in the Gulf, however, we have already removed teachings from our school curricula that used to protect our children and our faith from the malevolent ideas our enemies work tooth and nail to spread, using all their cultural, media and social channels. We also opened the way for private television channels that broadcast nothing but aimless and low-grade serials, films, songs, dances and programmes that do nothing but increase our unconsciousness.
This is a dangerous state of affairs, not a trivial thing as some people like to believe. One newspaper article is not, of course, enough for me to write about all the religious, security, and social threats that face our Gulf society.
This is why it is important for us to go back on track and change the way we view ourselves and others. We need to benefit from the lessons of the past by avoiding a repetition of its negatives and maximising its positives. We need to cooperate and join hands with a comprehensive vision aimed at bringing about much needed unity. This may make it necessary for each of us to make some small compromises. It is important to do it now before it is all over. We need to be aware of the changes taking place around us. Some people liked to believe that these changes had nothing to do with our religion or the security of our countries. Now, however, the people of the Levant are divulging the plans of our enemies in order for us to learn a lesson.
When you know your enemy and know yourself, you do not have to be afraid of the results of a hundred battles. However, if you know yourself, but do not know your enemy, then you will be defeated in every battle.
