For more than a month, I have been following a journalistic language that, in its content, deviated from the logic of argument with evidence and, unfortunately, shifted to a discourse dominated by threats and warnings, in a sports case that was a matter of disagreement and controversy, raised by colleague Mohammed Al-Qaddi through a video interview on a social media platform.

- Following that, our veteran journalist colleague Saleh Al-Amoudi published a series of articles in which he recalled, in his impactful style, important memories of the pioneer of the Saudi sports movement, Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal - may God have mercy on him - memories that he documented in a book. Among them was evidence that the information attributed by Al-Qaddi to the Prince was entirely unfounded, both in general and in detail.

- These memories, containing historical facts, received widespread reactions, mostly marked by relief and celebration, as they represented a rich historical treasure of information. Al-Amoudi excellently chose the right timing to reveal part of this legacy and bring it to light after it had remained confined to a book that had not yet seen the light. It was a valuable opportunity to uncover beautiful and unknown aspects of the personality of the late Prince, leaving a good memory after his death, and a record in the memory of the current and future generations.

- Among the reactions I followed, a counter-reaction from Al-Ahli fans emerged. This is normal and customary, provided it follows the right path in dialogue: that is, to confront opinion with opinion, argument with argument, and to present evidence that refutes what was stated in a documented book that has not yet been published, whose author, honored by the trust of Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal, has explained the reasons for that.

- However, for the reaction to turn into a noisy discourse dominated by the language of threats, intimidation, and warnings, with demands directed to multiple parties to prevent the publication of what the book contains, this is unprecedented. Even stranger is the denial of historical facts that should have been welcomed and appreciated, especially since the author, in every article, was careful to present Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal with all the appreciation he deserves, praising the beauty of his character, his humility, and his rich history, as a national documentary treasure obtained from a great figure who had an impact on the journey of a great nation.

- I had hoped, instead of resorting to a language that is no longer acceptable, that the logic of dialogue would be followed, based on documented facts in audio and video that refute the inaccuracy of what was stated in that book.

- We - praise be to God - live in an era that has established the principle of equality among citizens, and the rights of all are protected under the law. Whoever has a right is guaranteed by systems and laws that ensure full access to it, away from the language of intimidation, guardianship, and attempts at confiscation.

- I could have mentioned the name of the person I mean by this opinion, which I hope he will accept with an open mind and a sporting spirit. However, I preferred to reciprocate in kind and in the manner of an editor and journalist writer whose repeated mistakes I have pointed out here in the esteemed Okaz newspaper - where the editorial management and the sports editor-in-chief dealt with everyone professionally. That editor and writer preferred to use insinuation rather than direct confrontation, while at the same time not being the 'faithful adviser' to those who thought well of him and placed their trust in him, even though I was honest with him and others in more than one article and gave him clear advice. But he refused and was arrogant, continuing the same approach, so this article became necessary, hopefully.

- In conclusion, history will remain a witness that threats do not write, nor does the language of warnings erase it. Rather, documents shape it, trust preserves it, and time does it justice. God is the guide to the right path, and He is the one sought for help.

Translated from Okaz

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