In the past few days we have twice witnessed events that used to occur during tens of years in the past. This is not only true at the local level in Syria and what happened to our brethren in the Levant, but also at the level of the Gulf, as well as across the rest of the Islamic world.
We have to realise that this is a religious issue, not a political one as some people like to believe. This is why some people have been working hard for more than 50 years now, putting to use all their political, economic and social capabilities in order to serve the best interests of their faith. In doing this, these people believe that their faith is the correct one. Whole countries, parties and groups follow this faith.
Most of us, however, have considered issues related to these people to be political and economic over all these years. We used to view them as having materialistic greed, no more. But little have we tried to see the religious dimension in the actions of these people. We have never tried to look at their plans. This is why all our planning in this regard was built on ground that is solid in no way.
Just recall with me how these people were acting at the regional and international levels, using hypocritical diplomacy that hid envy and hatred for the Gulf and the people of the Arabian Peninsula.
They taught their children how to envy us and our countries. They filled their official and unofficial institutions and homes with these feelings.
Here in the Gulf, however, we have already removed teachings from our school curricula that used to protect our children and our faith against the malevolent ideas our enemies work tooth and nail to spread, using all their cultural, media, and social channels. We also opened the way for private TV channels that broadcast nothing but aimless and low-grade serials, films, songs, dancing and programmes that do nothing but increase our unconsciousness.
This is a dangerous state of affairs, not a trivial thing as some people like to believe. The space of one newspaper article is not, of course, enough for me to recount all the dangers and threats that face our Gulf society in the areas of religion and security and at the social level.
This is why it is important for us to get back on track and change the way we view ourselves and others.
We need to benefit from the lessons of the past and avoid a repetition of its negatives and maximise its positives.
We need to cooperate and join hands with a comprehensive vision aiming at bringing about our needed unity.
This may make it necessary for each of us to make some small compromises. It is important to do this now before it is over.
We need to be aware of the changes that happen around us. Some people like to believe that these changes have nothing to do with our religion, our faith or the security of our countries.
Now, however, the people of the Levant have divulged the plans of our enemies. They present to us these plans in order for us to learn a lesson.
When you know your enemy and know yourself, you do not have to be afraid of the results of a hundred battles.
However, if you know yourself but do not know your enemy, then you will be defeated in every battle.
