by MEMRI
'Imad Al-'Abad called on Muslims living in the West to inculcate in their children loyalty to the countries in which they had chosen to make their homes, and to work to eliminate terrorism in those countries by cooperating with local security forces, organizing anti-terrorism demonstrations, and launching goodwill initiatives for the benefit of their adopted societies.
In his December 27, 2016, column in the Saudi daily Al-Riyadh, titled
"Muslim Minorities in the West – Have They Done Their Duty?" 'Imad
Al-'Abad called on Muslims living in the West to inculcate in their
children loyalty to the countries in which they had chosen to make their
homes, and to work to eliminate terrorism in those countries by
cooperating with local security forces, organizing anti-terrorism
demonstrations, and launching goodwill initiatives for the benefit of
their adopted societies.
'Imad Al-'Abad (image: Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Following are excerpts from his column: [1]
"In
2002 I visited Vancouver, Canada, and stopped at a restaurant owned by
an Arab immigrant; we had a brief conversation. When he learned that I
was new to Canada, he cautioned: 'Be careful not to believe these
infidels, because they aren't looking out for your best interest.' I
left the restaurant pondering his viciousness. This man – who had tired
of his own land and come [to Canada] seeking liberty, wellbeing, and
security – has not even a minimum of loyalty to the country that took
him in and granted him rights and privileges of which he had never
dreamed. I was even more convinced of his viciousness after I had been
[in Canada] for a whole year, during which I had found only good in
these 'infidels.' Furthermore, I discovered that not all Arab and Muslim
immigrants share that man's [view].
"A
friend of mine who is an emissary to Germany told me how he loathed the
incitement and hatred that had been openly expressed in a Friday sermon
by the imam of one of the mosques there. He said that the police cannot
arrest him because it concerns free speech – a privilege granted to him
by the country against which, and against whose people, he is inciting.
This privilege is one of many others Germany gives refugees: a monthly
stipend for each family member; free housing, electricity, and water;
tax exemptions; free education; free passes for public transportation,
and more, in order to maintain their dignity and respect their humanity.
"The
horrifying terrorist incidents that plagued Europe this year have
brought me back to [the issue of] Muslim minorities in the West.
Although the vast majority of them are peaceful and, like most people,
are seeking a quiet life, they neglect to integrate into, and coexist
with, the societies in which they have chosen to settle. Moreover, they
have been somewhat passive towards the terrorist incidents that took
place in their societies. Whether in France, Germany, or Belgium, we
have not heard that they held mass anti-terrorism demonstrations, or
about great goodwill initiatives for society – but that they kept silent
and continued to complain about racist harassment against them.
"Anyone
who thinks that such initiatives, or expressions of anger at and
opposition to terrorist crimes would mean [that the Arab immigrants are]
apologizing for a crime they did not commit, is mistaken... On the
contrary – it would be a goodwill initiative and a message to the
society in which they live: 'We and you are together, in the same good
camp, against the criminal camp.' This could strengthen the cooperation
between them, and expel those despicable terrorist cells.
"Anyone
who thinks that Muslim minorities are incapable of organizing such
anti-terrorism demonstrations, forming a lobby to pressure those who
incite [to terrorism] there, or launching important initiatives to
improve their image in Western societies, would also be mistaken. Their
responses to issues concerning Islamic symbols [clearly] show their
ability to mobilize people and make their voices heard in the societies
in which they live.
"Finally,
Arab and Muslim minorities in the diaspora are usually good and
innocent communities, that have in the past carried out beautiful and
important initiatives – for example the one in Lens, France to protect
churches during last year's Christmas celebrations, which was very well
received. But there are only few such initiatives, and much hard work
and diligence is needed [in order to do many more].
MEMRI
Source: https://www.memri.org/reports/saudi-writer-muslims-west-integrate-local-societies-and-work-against-terrorism
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