Recent Incident in Al-Khobar
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Author: Laney Littlejohn
Released 17 June 2004
King Khalid Street, Al-Khobar
Photograph by Wendy Cocker
Needless to say, the recent incidents in the Eastern Province have been very disturbing to me and to all the members of my family, who spent so many years in Dhahran. I know that real men don't cry, but I find myself fighting to hold back tears as I think of dozens, no hundreds, of walks down Khalid and adjacent streets, sometimes purposefully, sometimes just strolling and window-shopping. The sights, the sounds, the smells come crashing upon me at all hours of the day and night as I ask myself, "Is it really true that I would now be frightened to go to al-Khobar to pick up the odd hardware item, browse the CD racks, look at the new cameras, watches, TVs or whatever? Is it really true that I would not dare to just stroll along the street and buy a shawarma? Would I be too afraid to sit on my car hood waiting for stores to open after prayer time? Would I have to look at each person on the street and ask myself 'Is he my friend, or would he like for me to go away?'
I spent 23 years in Dhahran, longer that I have lived any other place. Not once in those 23 years did I ever feel that I was unwanted or that the man in front of me on the streets of Khobar, Dammam or wherever was unkindly disposed toward me. The idea that Americans and other foreigners can no longer walk the streets of Arabia with that same feeling of calmness and security troubles me greatly.
Inshallah, this will pass, but I realize that the passing may require time. Nevertheless, I hope the time required is short. I have been out of Arabia for almost eight years. I want to come home one more time. When I do, I want to walk down Khalid street without fear - like I did for so many years.