Is the presence of U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia truly an affront to Muslims?
Abdul-Rahman Amjad (Political Science Student): Yes, it is. The perception that America has about the troops in the Middle East [is] that we liberate[d] Kuwait. We help[ed] to defend [against] the enemies of democracy and Saddam Hussein. I grew up in Saudi Arabia. You did a good favor [there], defend[ing] Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. We appreciate that. We give you how much billions you ask for. However, [to] the average Arab or average Saudi citizen–it’s like you have a Thanksgiving party. All your relatives came to visit you from out of town. Thanksgiving is over. You know, “Please leave.” You have [30] in your house. And they don’t want to get out. … And a lot of Arabs, they say, “Okay, you’ve done good.” The average Saudis and Kuwaitis, they don’t want the troops to be there. But they can do nothing about it. … And after a while people said, “Wait a minute.” … But is it a religious insult for U.S. troops to be in Saudi Arabia? Khalid Y. Hamideh: A huge religious insult. And that
