Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
A careful look at the map of the Arab world reveals that the concept of the nation seems to be narrowing for everyone, because of disagreements, civil wars, conflicts and rivalry between the people of the same nation on the basis of religious affiliations, beliefs, doctrines and ideologies. Everyone looks as if he is demanding violated rights or usurped ones, while disregarding his duties towards the nation and others. What makes one claiming rights contribute to the loss and usurping of others’ rights, creating confusion and ambiguity so that one can no longer differentiate between the offender and the victim?
Homeland is not a passport, boundaries drawn on a map, a fluttering flag, or buildings and pieces of concrete on roadsides and sidewalks. Homeland is not a seat of authority, a position of leadership, congratulatory advertisements in daily newspapers, or radio and television programmes saluting the nation. In addition to the above, I may say, homeland is not a matter of regional and international recognition, or having a foreign policy or not, but rather homeland is love, freedom, justice, equality, responsibility and mutual respect. It is the earth mixed with our breath and our faces. It is childhood memories, the history of our ancestors and their sacrifices. It is the tribe, friends, parents and children; the human being and the collective of human beings; it is you, me and us.
National celebrations take us back to the past that remind us of our history and glorious days, which must remain alive in our memory. As it has been said: ‘The one who has no past has no present or future’. This day also makes us pay attention to the peace and stability we are enjoying, which Allah has given to us, compared to the situation in many others countries around us. It is a day to contemplate the past, how we were yesterday and how we are today, to remind us of our national journey from a small society to a state, from the little capacity and potential and poverty to a strong, steadily growing economy. From a small society struggling at sea and on land to earn a little to survive, to the discovery of oil and gas and entry into a new technological era. A new era of prosperity that has brought new prospects.
On this day we should evoke the values, lessons and meanings that symbolize the occasion of the National Day, in order to maintain our national unity without repulsive tendencies that lead to disunity and hatred, whether it is for tribal or clan or sectarian or identical groups. We should maintain the security, safety and stability we are enjoying and we should not give a chance to those who seek to cause harm to the dignity of our nation and its achievements.
It is a commendable decision to establish a permanent centre for Darb Al Saai and make it a place where we come together, embracing all sections of society.
On the occasion of the National Day, I express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for the decent people, leadership and the founding fathers.
A careful look at the map of the Arab world reveals that the concept of the nation seems to be narrowing for everyone, because of disagreements, civil wars, conflicts and rivalry between the people of the same nation on the basis of religious affiliations, beliefs, doctrines and ideologies. Everyone looks as if he is demanding violated rights or usurped ones, while disregarding his duties towards the nation and others. What makes one claiming rights contribute to the loss and usurping of others’ rights, creating confusion and ambiguity so that one can no longer differentiate between the offender and the victim?
Homeland is not a passport, boundaries drawn on a map, a fluttering flag, or buildings and pieces of concrete on roadsides and sidewalks. Homeland is not a seat of authority, a position of leadership, congratulatory advertisements in daily newspapers, or radio and television programmes saluting the nation. In addition to the above, I may say, homeland is not a matter of regional and international recognition, or having a foreign policy or not, but rather homeland is love, freedom, justice, equality, responsibility and mutual respect. It is the earth mixed with our breath and our faces. It is childhood memories, the history of our ancestors and their sacrifices. It is the tribe, friends, parents and children; the human being and the collective of human beings; it is you, me and us.
National celebrations take us back to the past that remind us of our history and glorious days, which must remain alive in our memory. As it has been said: ‘The one who has no past has no present or future’. This day also makes us pay attention to the peace and stability we are enjoying, which Allah has given to us, compared to the situation in many others countries around us. It is a day to contemplate the past, how we were yesterday and how we are today, to remind us of our national journey from a small society to a state, from the little capacity and potential and poverty to a strong, steadily growing economy. From a small society struggling at sea and on land to earn a little to survive, to the discovery of oil and gas and entry into a new technological era. A new era of prosperity that has brought new prospects.
On this day we should evoke the values, lessons and meanings that symbolize the occasion of the National Day, in order to maintain our national unity without repulsive tendencies that lead to disunity and hatred, whether it is for tribal or clan or sectarian or identical groups. We should maintain the security, safety and stability we are enjoying and we should not give a chance to those who seek to cause harm to the dignity of our nation and its achievements.
It is a commendable decision to establish a permanent centre for Darb Al Saai and make it a place where we come together, embracing all sections of society.
On the occasion of the National Day, I express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for the decent people, leadership and the founding fathers.
