Terror Near Oil Wells
Mohamad Al Rumaihi Al-Hayat 2005/02/2
In Kuwait, a large controversial issue is being discussed about the terror incidents that occurred lately in the country. Some people consider that there are some terror cells trying to seize the opportunity to undermine the society and frighten the citizens; like it happened in some cities of Saudi Arabia. Others consider that the whole issue is overblown.
Those who underestimate the situation say that terror will never hit Kuwait as far as oil revenues keep boosting the economy, and that the country is so small that all people know each other and are socially close.
Those who exaggerate the situation say that the Kuwaiti society is no longer the same; for the social atmosphere changed and people can no longer wait to fix the situation, especially that the 2005 terror incidents cannot be justified and calling for "fighting the crusaders" isn't a legal slogan and it nurtures resentment between religions.
After the 9/11 terror attacks, some Kuwaiti papers conducted a poll on the people's opinion about bin Laden; the answers were noteworthy: around 40% of the surveyed people said that he is a "hero" and pens started praising terror from Chechnya to Taliban.
The idea of terror wasn't away of the Kuwaiti society because it became a social phenomenon ever since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and then, it became sharper.
Kuwaitis are wondering whether violence leading to terror will be temporary or would it aggravate to become a phenomenon? Are the violence's motives external or internal? Is it wide spread among young people or does it concern a small part of them? Such questions cannot be answered, especially that some people interpret them the way they like.
The on the ground reality is that the society turned into one where the violence phenomenon is prevalent and some people consider that the widespread of this phenomenon is due to the lack of means to dissuade it; such as laws. Others consider that resorting to prevention is an essential part of fighting and eradicating this phenomenon, and it starts in educating families through the media.
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