QATIF — The people of Qatif have welcomed the campaign titled "Ehna Al-Ahl" (We Are One Family) organized by social development committees in the Eastern Province to strengthen national unity. A number of government departments are participating in the campaign. They emphasized the importance of upholding the values of peaceful coexistence, respecting the views of others and accepting differences of opinion and rejecting racism and division. Jaafar Al-Shayeb, a well-known writer, underscored the significance of such campaigns organized by private and official agencies. "Everybody wants unity and opposes factionalism," he said and hoped the campaign's message would reach all groups, especially university students. Khadra Al-Mubarak, a member of the Qatif Municipal Council, said the campaign reflected the spirit of people living on the country's eastern coast who are known for their peaceful coexistence with other communities for hundreds of years. "They have been sharing happiness, sorrow, hopes and difficulties of other people. At times of prosperity they supported other communities and at times of poverty they shared what they have with others," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. Dr. Ali Al-Khaledi emphasized the need to bolster national unity and build bridges of confidence among various groups and reject all ideologies and thoughts that spread hatred. "The patronage of Eastern Province Emir Prince Saud Bin Naif to the campaign shows his desire to strengthen unity among the various sections of society," he added. Hassan Al-Mustafa, also a writer, believed that campaigns would remind members of society how their forefathers lived in solidarity with each other. He denounced efforts by some people to create disunity and weaken social, economic and family relations of members of society in order to fish in troubled waters. "We have to defeat the forces of division by organizing such campaigns. We are all Saudis and nobody should be allowed to create division among us," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. Fatehi Al-Binali, owner of Markaz Al-Zuwar in Darain, stressed that there is no division among Saudis in Darain and the surrounding townships of Tarout and Sanabis. He said everyone of them respects one another and participates together in occasions of happiness and sorrow. "I hope the message of Ehna Al-Ahl would reach people all over the Kingdom through the print and electronic media," he said, adding that the campaign would boost patriotism and national values. Mohammed Al-Hajri, manager of a secondary school, emphasized his allegiance to the Saudi leadership. "We are one family and we respect one another and love each other." He urged all Saudis to stand united against those who try to create division in society to realize their vested interests.
