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October 2008                                                                                                   Volume 15 - Number 1

Perspectives...

Saudi Arabia and the Risk of Terrorism

By Maha Alnammari

May 12, 2003 - 11:15 p.m. local time

Alhamra Compound - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

All news agencies in the Middle East were announcing sudden shocking breaking news that kept almost every household in the oil-rich Kingdom worried. Twenty eight people killed and more than hundred others wounded as a result of terrorism attacks in the capital city of Saudi Arabia. As four cars entered Al-Muhaya compound having one thing on mind and that is suicide bombings. After further investigation it has been confirmed that these attacks were planned by Al-Qaeda. These bombs destroyed houses, killed innocents -both Muslims and non-Muslims, Arabs and internationals- and raised fear in the Kingdom.

“We are victim like everyone else” Saudi civil defense official - CBS News

May 29, 2004 – 7:30 a.m.

Oasis Compound – Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia

A year later Saudi Arabia faced another attack in a major city Alkhobar. Terrorists attacked the Oasis Compound – a luxurious compound owned by a Saudi business man- taking 50 hostages. This massacres ended with 25 injured and 22 killed, letting the other hostages free.

“Such acts cannot be perpetrated by any individual who has a sense of decency or humanity or justice or faith” King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia – BBC News

I remember that day very well, it was during the finals weeks and me and my sister were preparing to go to school that morning. All what we heard were gun shots coming from the other side of the highway two blocks away. No one was able to leave their house in that neighborhood. Unfortunately, not everyone knew about what was happening and as result of these attacks the following happened:

“Stray bullets hit the fuel tank of a GMC Suburban with four school children arriving at the gate from the housing facility, setting it ablaze. Three students and the driver escaped from the burning vehicle but a 10-year-old Egyptian boy died trapped in the flames.” - Arab news

Everyone spent that day in front of the television waiting to hear if there were any updates. No one left their homes fearing to jeopardize their safety. Time went by and very little updates were broadcasted. Worried mothers, anxious fathers, and scarred children had mixed feelings on why such attacks hit home.

There is no safety anywhere in this world, we will always be surrounded by crises, emergencies and attacks. After 9/11 Muslims and Saudis where labeled as terrorists. Yet, many do not realize that terrorists killed as much Muslims as non-Muslims.

"'These acts have nothing to do with jihad for the sake of God,' Sheikh Abdul-Aziz al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia – BBC news

After these deadliest attacks, Saudi Arabia began a nationwide anti-terrorism campaign backed by the Council of Ministers, The Consultative Council, and religious leaders against the terrorists and those who support them. The campaign restricted all money flows and financial transfers within the kingdom. To date, hundreds of suspects were held in custody and many terror plots were put to an end. Saudi policemen installed hundreds of checkpoints on highways and major residential and military areas. Residential compounds were fenced, gated, and secured with army. Public television and radio broadcasts aired many shows and ads denouncing terrorists. Official Saudi television produced documentaries on the results of the terrorist’s attacks and interviewed the families of the victim of terrorists.

In September 23, 2008 Saudi Arabia celebrated its 75^th anniversary, King Abdullah al-Saud had asked the public to work together to prevent our society from such extremist saying to the public celebrating that day “ all Saudi citizens to be 'the eye, ear and hand' of the security forces in its campaign against extremists”- BBC news

Citation

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/14/attack/main553938.shtml

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ifs_news/hi/newsid_4340000/4340520.stm

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=45946&d=30&m=5&y=2004

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3157493.stm