Kuwait Times

Published Date: April 29, 2007
By Fouad Al-Obaid, Staff columnist

Last night I received an e-mail telling me that Virgin Megastore was closed without a clear explanation why. Speculation nevertheless emerged with regards to the reason why the store was closed. Many pointed to the fact that they were selling books and magazines that the Ministry of Information didn't approve of (a rumour that was later confirmed!) So if true, a bookstore was closed because it sold controversial books?!
 
Doesn't this sounds weird. It is bizarre how this reminds me of an era in time where governments fearing the content of books decided to burn them in order for their people not to have access to them.
 
Are we with each day that passes transforming ourselves into a limited society, or are we aspiring to become such a society, perhaps with each day that passes moving closer to a Taleban style country? One thing leading to another, last night at a friend's house, we were celebrating a friend's birthday. Towards the end, the birthday transformed itself into more of a mini-Arab League birthday than anything else!
 
We were gathered with a bunch of friends from various Arab countries, where before we knew it most people were taking part in a conversation that was meaningful and diverse starting with the Golan Heights in Syria, moving then to the War of 1973, followed by the Egyptian betrayal and the reason for the loss of such territory in the war, touching upon sensitive issues of what, when, why and how.

It would have been a somewhat normal conversation, however due to the various countries represented, tensions increased where each member naturally was defending his country, facing harsh attacks at times by other members. Yet there was nothing too unusual, unless perhaps one analyses the manner in which people were reacting. That again, I would like to believe, is not pertinent to the Arabs, yet it seemed that people felt that they had to talk louder in order for their point of view to get passed on.
 
After a series of discussions ranging from Pan-Arabism, the educational system in Kuwait, technology and development, the US presence, Iran's involvement in Middle Eastern affairs, religion and sectarian strives to name a few, I came to realize several things which I will narrate to you in this article.
 
Most Arabs are normal individuals. However the once gone glory, the colonial era, and the perceived loss of dignity for some generated by a subsequent defeats at the hands of Israel has led many to lose hope in their own abilities.
In the Gulf region, a good majority of the youth seem to think that the current oil-windfalls are a right not a blessing. Many don't seem too troubled by what the future might reserve them, for although most realise that the current status-quo is not a perfect one, many have this notion that they are unable to change the situation.

Although some clearly have capacities to work hard towards a better Middle Eastern region, one void of conflict and drama, one void of tension, one filled with aspiring individuals that want to work hard towards developing their countries and the world. Perhaps the latter might sound to optimistic, however at default of having anything else, optimism is certainly something that we need in a troubled region.
 
During the discussion/debate, I came to notice that although most people admire work, little would resort to work if they can bypass it. We have a culture it seems that promotes free riders, where people try to make it on the back of others. What is worse is that most people don't seem to have much hope in their abilities to create change. Many believe that the status quo is something divine and that it certainly is not them that will change it, although change at times only takes one person, and can be a simple as a few words.
 
In the Arab world we have lived many revolutions, yet today what we need more than anything is a new series of evolutions. The potential of development in our region is vast, further adding that the wealth acquired through the years can easily be used to develop the region as a whole. Even when it comes down to development, developing the infrastructure is one thing. Furthermore it is easy to do if one has access to capitals and funds.
 
Developing mentalities is a completely different thing, for unfortunately many in the Arab World don't seem to be willing to believe in a brighter future where people will innovate and will create new things, where people will be free to think and where suicide bombings and terrorism will not have fertile grounds to dwell upon. Shamefully, the few today who dare come up with pragmatic solutions to solve real conflicts in an alternative manner are often ridiculed or looked upon in a weird manner.
 
Maybe tomorrow will be a better day; however tonight, one can rest assured that the situation will be the same in the foreseeable near future.

For thoughts and comments fouad@kuwaittimes.net