A number of intellectuals, thinkers, writers and poets in the eastern Qatif region have expressed satisfaction over the statement recently issued by seven leading Muslim scholars in the region calling for the immediate halt to violence and rejection of sectarian divisions.

“I believe we are in a very delicate phase during which we should embrace one another instead of living in isolated islands,” Qatif writer and poet Zaki Al-Sidair said.

“Boycotting one another would only breed mutual mistakes,” he said in statements published yesterday by Al-Watan.

In their statement, the Qatif scholars opposed all forms of violence targeting public properties and institutions.

They reiterated their rejection of creating divisions in society based on sectarianism and strongly supported the call of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to this effect.

Novelist Fadil Omran said the current incidents should be tackled with wisdom.

“We should not be influenced by what is happening outside, including the problems in some of the neighboring countries,” he said.

“We are not the sons of the previous centuries but the breeds of this very country, so we should build it together with responsibility and accountability,” he added.

“We do not want our grandsons and daughters to hold us responsible for failing to take them to the shores of safety and security,” Omran said.

Sheikh Hassan Al-Sowailih said the scholars of Qatif took a brave move and lined up behind the government.

Al-Sowailih asked all the residents of the eastern city to contribute and effectively participate in the preservation of security.