DAMMAM, 30 May 2004 — It is a day, which will haunt every resident of the Eastern Province. The serenity of the region is no more. Once again innocents have lost their lives. The people of the Eastern Province are in mourning. Even the children have been caught up in the tragedy as they grieve for little Rami who was trapped and killed in a burning vehicle at the APICORP Compound.
Amidst Saturday’s madness were hundreds of panicked parents. As they heard the report of Rami’s death, they began to fear for the safety of their own children. Expatriates and nationals alike abandoned their places of employment, drove to their children’s schools and brought their little loved ones home. This was despite the pleading of school authorities who asserted that everything was safe in the vicinity of the school buildings.
Interestingly, some of the schools near locations hit by terrorism ran smoothly without any fear. For example Al-Hussan Academy is just a few yards away from the APICORP Compound and the school continued there. Similarly, the International Indian School, which is just one kilometer away from the APICORP Compound, wore an absolutely normal look.
There are a few schools in the vicinity of the Petroleum Center like Manarat Academy and Orbit Academy. Students at Manarat Academy were writing their examinations when the terrorists were attacking the Petroleum Center nearby. Parents arriving at Manarat Academy were scared and worried, but most students were completely unaware of what was happening outside.
Close to the Oasis Compound, the Asia International School on ETE Compound had to cope with concerned parents rushing in and frightening the youngsters.
Mrs. Qamrunnisa, principal at Asia International said, “Our compound was always safe but we took precautions and allowed those children whose parents had come to take them. This situation was beyond our control but certainly the student’s safety is our responsibility and we will do anything for their security.”
Most schools confirmed that classes would function normally today. However, the International Schools Group closed their Dammam, Jubail, Abqaiq and Dhahran schools for 24 hours, although some students at those schools had scheduled exams.
