Sir: We may not like it but it is about time we accepted the facts. As inconvenient as it may sound, it is not because of the US or the west that we are forced to sacrifice our lives and prosperity. We are simply hired for money. It is Saudi Arabia that is using us in its war against Shia Muslims around the world. It has paid the US and NATO nations to fight their jihad against the Shias of Iraq. Their sole purpose is the spread of Wahabiism, an extremist version of the religion. Our lives are less precious than theirs and we are looked upon as mere collateral damage. In the end, Saudis are not the ones losing their lives. They have enough oil to sustain this generation and own enough properties and industries in the west to continue with their lavish lifestyle for centuries. They are not sacrificing their progress and prosperity. It is our homeland that is infested with grenades, bombs and drones. It is us, the innocent poor of underdeveloped countries, who are being exploited by the wealthy by way of sponsored madrassas (religious seminaries). They feed the needy, brainwash them and dress them up with grenades and suicide vests. Have we ever thought about what we are gaining in this process except chaos, anarchy and going back to medieval times? What kind of reputation has Pakistan earned in the world? We are looked at suspiciously wherever we go. Is that why we strove to get Pakistan? Like other immigrants, we would love to feel proud of our origins. We must set our priorities straight. Pakistan was not founded to judge anyone’s faith; that is Allah’s job. We must do what human beings are supposed to do: follow a path of tolerance and education, which is the only way we will achieve greatness here and beyond. It is about time the Muslims of the world open their eyes and look outside the box. NAZIA JUNEJO Salt Lake, Utah