Mansour Al-Tubaiqi Okaz newspaper I watched with great pain video clips circulating on social media showing young men climbing onto the roof of a company building destroyed by the gas tanker explosion in Riyadh. These youths then rummaged through the rubble and took away some items with them. This scene distressed me greatly and I pondered on the reasons for such action. I wondered what was happening to our youth. Some might say that they are a small number that represent none except themselves. I support this view. However, we must pause and ask ourselves: What are these boys thinking and what is going through their minds? Are all of them needy and poor? Are they acting this way because of unemployment? Do they have an anti-social attitude? Whatever their justifications, this does not at all give them the right to encroach on other people's rights and take their belongings. At the same time we ponder about these young men and how they were brought up since childhood, we recall with pride our promising youth. They are an honor to the nation at all locations and forums. They were seen at the same explosion scene helping in bandaging the wounds of the injured. They transported them to hospitals. You find the corridors of hospitals crowded with these young men who vie with one another to donate blood. We have seen one of them carrying a disabled elderly woman on his back and walking for miles in the scorching heat during this year's Haj. These young men are the pride of the nation. Among them are those who have made astonishing scientific accomplishments that have won the country the world's admiration. Finally, we must know how these youths think and what goes on their minds. My advice is that we carry out an in-depth study to understand the worries of young Saudis in general. We should view this study seriously so as to find suitable solutions. I tell fathers and mothers, “This is a trust you are responsible for before Allah. What you sow today in your children — piety, civilized conduct and an inclination to do good — you and the nation will reap tomorrow.”
