I was extremely surprised when I read tweets and comments on social networking sites by some cultural and media figures. These comments, which have sectarian implications, are quite inappropriate in a civilized society and for a religion that only advocates tolerance, justice and equality. This happens at a time when intelligent people from all sections of society are expected to play a role in enlightening and instructing on the basis of the Islamic principles of peaceful coexistence and accommodating others. This is more relevant in the context of the initiatives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for interfaith dialogue and rapprochement among various religious sects. Saudi Arabia is a vast country with a diverse culture and schools of thought. In such a country, there should be peaceful coexistence among all sections of society under the banner of one homeland and one national identity with the heart of one man. We all know and are fully aware that terrorism has no religion or homeland, and that we have suffered from its consequences more than anyone else. Our valiant security forces managed to fight terrorism and exterminate it. Although some of our children have abandoned their parents and left their homeland after embracing a deviant ideology, we must invite them to the true path and ask them to return to the homeland. What we read and watch on social networking sites in the war of words between followers of some sects is incorrect. Members of each sect label others infidels and accuse them of treason and treachery. There are Sunnis, Shiites, Ismailites, Sufis and followers of other sects in the Kingdom. All of them make up the social fabric of our country. If some members of one sect go astray by embracing a deviant ideology, other sects have no right to rise up in arms against them. Such attitudes are an extreme and they are not different from the deviant ideologies of terrorists. Everyone should realize that these deviant people represent only themselves and do not represent any sects or their followers. The state is able to monitor them and classify them in the lists of terrorists publicized in the media. It also extends to them two hands – one of silk and the other of iron. Those who repent are given the silk hand to shake and are given counseling and allowed to return to their families to lead a normal and peaceful life without causing them any harm. Those who choose the iron hand choose death over life, and the security forces are on the lookout for them. There should be serious initiatives to maintain surveillance as well as to control that which is circulated through the Internet and social networking sites. Those who use the new media include not only scholars and intellectuals but also uneducated and unscrupulous people who spread sectarianism and racism. Therefore, all scholars, thinkers, writers, media and cultural figures and artists should shoulder the responsibility of carrying the flag of “I am against sectarianism” in order to fight against such sectarian comments. We must delete from our friends list the accounts of those who refuse to abandon such ideas and are opposed to peaceful coexistence with followers of other sects. There cannot be any compromise with those who advocate sectarianism and racism. We must protect our nation so that we can live in peace.
