During the most important government summit held recently in Dubai, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the armed Forces, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai discussed an idea extremely important to the Arab world—the chances of resuming the Arab civilization, options and alternatives available on this path. Not only did he ask questions but he also set a road map, sending enlightening messages of hope about the future for the millions of young people lost in the wash of corruption, unemployment and bad governance in many parts of the Arab world.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said his concern about the Arab condition was expressed 12 years ago with a letter to Arab governments in which he frankly asked them to “change or you will be changed”. I remember his message quite well as I remember that the majority did not understand the inevitability of change and moving toward the future.
Change and evolution are historically inevitable. The real question of the future is about resuming the civilization, not as an intellectual luxury but a necessity that may be the only change left to rescue the Arab world from the frustration that gives rise to extremism and fuels terrorist organizations. Desperate young people join brainwashing dream-selling terror groups that flourish in such atmospheres of pointlessness.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum sees real hope in the Arab man in the time when some people plant seeds of failure in our region and claim our youth are not able to work and produce thought and innovation. He confidently said “this region is the cradle of human civilization, and I am optimistic […] Civilizations, economy and money are made by man. If Arabs and Muslims succeeded in building a civilization in the past, they are able to resume it.”
He also diagnosed another problem in the Arab world—mismanagement in governance, the economy, human resources and infrastructure. Management is the single most important ingredient we are missing today.
The management problem in several Arab countries is not hard to solve but most people are unaware of it in the first place. Some countries believe they have the brightest minds in different areas of management, although statistical benchmarking with comparable cases from developed countries indicates the need to get rid of them and replace them with open, critically thinking minds that believe in dialogue and teamwork and trust in the capabilities of younger generations.
The Emirates is offering an inspiring model of comprehensive development, yet some adopt just some aspects of the model, not the strategic vision that sets an outline for future-oriented action.
To that end, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said “there has to be leaders, making leaders is crucial. There has to be leadership that functions in times of crises. God willing, everyone will be on our side when we are on the side of the people.” Here lies the spirit of positive action. The people have a sense of historical awareness and easily recognize those who work to their advantage and support them.
There is no doubt that the dream of development and progress faces many obstacles like the corruption plaguing many Arab societies. “The diseased organ in the human body must be gotten rid of. Corruption in the government and State causes underdevelopment which can be felt in any country from the first moment you lay steps in an airport. It is wrong to remain silent on corruption to the point it becomes the norm. In some countries, corruption is the usual matter, but here in the UAE, we promise you all, me and my brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, that we will never allow corruption. We have the responsibility towards our people, under God, not to remain silent on that which is wrong.”
Recently, a report by Transparency International, spoke about the close relationship between corruption and terrorism stating that Daesh could never be defeated unless the conditions of corruption that help the organization to grow are eradicated. The Big Spin report said that the organization used corruption to recruit and spread radicalization, proposing itself as an alternative.
Until we face corruption with the same will, determination and firmness, resuming our civilization will have to wait. Until then, we can keep up rationalizing our failures, but we will be the only ones who bear the present and future consequences.
