Khaled Al-Sulaiman Okaz newspaper We waited a long time for the Qatif Ulema and intellectuals to issue a statement on the situation there. When it was finally issued, the statement rejected violence, called on society to contribute in protecting the nation's security and stability and reject all forms of sabotage and saboteurs. Protecting the nation's security and stability is a joint responsibility between the state and members of society. When the nation faced bloody Al-Qaeda terrorist attacks, society played an active role in rejecting terrorists, uprooting terrorism and exposing its ideological and financial sources. This is what was expected from the wise men of Qatif - their contribution in protecting the nation's security and stability. The riots and acts of terrorism that took place in the governorate affected its residents and the stability and safety of their livelihood more than others. Statements alone are insufficient to confront terrorist acts. The Ulema and intellectuals in society must take action on the ground in repulsing the ideology that produces violence and recruits youth to serve destructive goals. Here I must laud the initiatives taken by Ja'far Al-Shaib and Muhammad Al-Masoud. The state has succeeded in repulsing terrorism hatched by Al-Qaeda and is fully capable of repulsing sectarian terrorism created by boys riding motorbikes and carrying Molotov cocktails. But these boys are not hardened terrorists; they are the sons of a nation that is hurt by their deviation. While the state has taken great steps toward dispelling many of the ideas the youth of Qatif had, a lot remains to be accomplished. Ulema, intellectuals and other prominent members of society must play their role.
