In the past 30 years I have passed through about 10 international airports every year. My Saudi passport used to work wonders at airport counters. It would allow me to bypass hassles while visitors from other countries — particularly Asia, Africa, South America and Southern Europe — had to wait in long queues.

A Saudi was passed almost as easily as if he or she were a native of the country being entered. Saudis never had any problem in other countries when they wanted to open cultural centers and organize exhibitions. They were also allowed to open Islamic centers and academies for Islamic education.

Now let us ask ourselves about our conduct in return toward those advanced countries. Those countries never attempted to destroy the minarets of our mosques, laid siege to our borders or smuggle in dangerous chemicals and weapons to kill us and attack our embassies.

We know who committed horrible crimes in other countries. Who scorned the sentiments of others? Were not their embassies in our countries noting and recording the hostile thoughts and speeches being articulated against them in our mosques?

It has been said that the West was waiting for the first opportunity to abandon its friendship with us and we gave them that opportunity with the 9/11 attacks.

But who said they were waiting for an opportunity?

We should re-examine the type of books on Islam that we circulate in foreign countries with the aim of attracting people to Islam.

Most of them are not written in a style to attract people’s interest or attention. These books will only ruin our relations with other countries and cultures and distort the image of Islam, giving credence to what the hostile Zionist media propagate about us.