From Mr M. Megawer

To many people all over the world, it may seem that Arabs have nothing better to do then throw bombs, shoot, kill, set fire to embassies and commit other acts of violence. As a result of the uproar and reactions following the publication of the cartoons, some media in the West wasted no time in blaming people for protests or acts of violence in the Middle East. Some sections of the media are only interested in highlighting the negative elements without looking at the bigger picture for a clearer and fairer understanding of the issues involved. One should understand that the publication of the cartoons by several European newspapers would certainly offend Muslims, who total nearly one quarter of the world's population. Notwithstanding this, no matter how strongly Muslims felt about the publication of these cartoons they should have exercised restraint.

However, before one puts all the blame of the events in the Middle East on these protesters, one must investigate the true causes. A number of factors can be blamed for such an uproar. In the first place, a big chunk of the blame should be laid on the doorstep of foreign powers and their interference in the region for the past 200 years. Then there is the conflict between Islamic traditions and teachings and the undemocratic regimes in the Arab world. In most Arab nations, monarchies and republics alike, people live under absolutist, dictatorial regimes that have little to no room for democratic ideals, human rights and freedom of political expression. During their many decades in power, some of these heartless, corrupt leaders established a ruthless dictatorship and dominated people through fear and abuse.

Notwithstanding the shortcomings of the political leaders in the Arab world, it's a historical fact that foreign interference and colonialism have all contributed to the present political instability in the region. Unfortunately, it's the innocent civilians who pay the highest price when they suffer a fate they don't deserve, whether in Iraq, Palestine or elsewhere. In this region it seems that every day is worse than the last and the idea of a better tomorrow is completely inconceivable!

Following the tireless campaign for pro-democracy in the Arab world, the “liberators”, who are pushing very hard to establish democracy in the region, were shocked by the Hamas victory. They stated that the Palestinians had made the wrong choice therefore America had no intention of accepting such a victory. A democratic election must produce a government that is acceptable to the White House and anything else would be rejected! The democratic voice of the people will be ignored unless it sings the tune Washington wants to hear. One wonders; wasn't it a democratic political process that the 'liberators' committed themselves to promote throughout the region? When Ariel Sharon was elected Prime Minister, did the West say that the Israelis had made the wrong choice? Why isn't the free choice of the Palestinians people respected?

This hypocrisy is one of the many reasons why the protesters directed their anger towards Europe, rather than inwards towards the totalitarian regimes in the Middle East. Arab countries are always being pushed to be more democratic, but western democracy is hardly the ideal model to follow.

In fact, the West is suffering a value crisis and has been accused of being too liberal and of moving away from its Christian values. The inability of humans to see and respect one another as humans makes the survival of life on the planet risky, and only moral values and faith can save us. The world is plagued by wars, natural catastrophes and the serious threat of an avian flu pandemic, which the World Health Organisation estimated would kill millions of people. Just how dangerous is the Bird Flu for humans? As the Bird Flu spreads and affects other animals, millions of people could die if the virus mutates and is transmitted to humans with no immediate effective vaccine available. Just imagine how scared we will all be, and the sheer panic it will create all over the world. The danger of the pandemic is more serious and lethal than the danger of Hamas for the “peaceful” state of Israel, or the nuclear threat from Iran for the “civilised” world. The international political system needs a reformed world order where democracy rules, and morals and civilised manners become the basis of action and debate.

Moustafa Megawer

QAWRA