When the Devils Dance

Strange and painful is what is happening today in our world: the conflict, clamor, and fighting between countries, between peoples and their governments, and the aggression carried out by satanic proxies. Forces have become entangled, minds have been lost, and intentions have clashed before armies and soldiers. What a strange and bizarre time and world we live in! We are witnessing and living through the ongoing conflict in our region, which its instigator claimed would end in days. Yet reality proved otherwise: as we approach the second year, the conflict remains raging without respite.

Before that, the world witnessed, for over four years, the bloody conflict between Russia and Ukraine in the Northern Hemisphere, at a focal point of profound global influence. To complete this sad global picture, disturbances, violence, and acts of sabotage are unfolding in six European countries. In France, violent protests have erupted due to the decline of public services and education and the rising cost of living. Similar unrest is occurring in Belgium. In Albania, political demands are intensifying, with protests against corruption. In Italy, Spain, and Portugal, demonstrators have taken to the streets against the cost of living and soaring housing expenses. It is a chain reaction, where events influence one another.

The repercussions of the war involving Israel, the United States, and Iran have affected global trade, energy supply lines, the closure of maritime passages, and attacks on energy and fuel facilities in our Gulf states. These developments have fueled inflation worldwide, causing many governments to lose control over prices and the cost of living. As the saying goes: “When the devils of the earth dance, exercising power, tyranny, and aggression, the earth trembles in sorrow.” And this is exactly what has happened; the entire world has been shaken.

Nevertheless, we can only remain hopeful and complete the saying: “The angels of mercy will flutter, God willing, over the innocent.” This applies especially to our Gulf nations, which found themselves in the eye of the storm without having provoked it. They are striving to repel aggression and ensure the continuation of normal life for their citizens and residents, even though their hearts are heavy and their souls distressed. Perhaps they will succeed in alleviating this regional tension through diplomatic efforts and dialogue, an approach they have adopted and continue to pursue. If that proves impossible, confrontation will have another dimension. May God protect our homelands from all harm. Dr. Moudi Abdulaziz Al-Humoud