WINDS FROM THE EGYPT – AND RESHAPING OF THE ARAB DESTINY

WINDS FROM THE EGYPT – AND RESHAPING OF THE ARAB DESTINY

Egypt, the most populous and the premiere Arab nation state is on a boil. The people are fed up with the autocratic, corrupt, nepotistic self-styled ‘misrule’ of their dictator Mr Hosni Mubarak and want a definite change. They want, like any other nationality, good governance, clean administration and rapid economic growth and development. They want a government which is accountable, trustworthy and more of a ‘people’s government’ – in other words a democratic government which is elected by them and takes care of their needs and considerations. Even as I write this write-up, news channels are flooded with reports of massive protests which are taking place in the capital city of Cairo, as the deadline for the ouster of Mr Mubarak looms large and people seem in no mood of relenting, making it one of the most Massive Revolts of the world in visible memory.

But these protests are much more than what they seem to be. They are a trigger point for a much bigger thing which is to come. Yes, it seems quite probable from the recent happenings that ‘A VERITABLE ARAB REVOLUTION’ awaits to happen. This part of the world has for a long time resisted democracy, as the monarchs and the dictators there have never let it happen, making The Arab Countries (22 in all) a hotbed of war and violence, a sanctuary for feudalism and a stronghold of religious fundamentalism.

But this ought to change now. It can’t but change. The impact of ‘Modernism’ and ‘Radical Humanism’ are seeping into these regions as well. It has to. Freedom is the basic instinct of human being. And the Arab masses are now realizing the importance of Democracy. It is quite clear to influential sections there – elected governments are far better than monarchs and despots, as the former always seek for votes (the voice of the majority) while the latter establish and flourish by the force of the gun.

Egypt is not just one part of the Arab world which is witnessing this revolution. Recently in Tunisia a revolutionary democratic change has been worked out. There have been protests in Yemen and some other Arab Countries as well. The changes are highly welcome, applaud able and spirit-elevating. They hint at the development of a certain level of maturity among the people.  The movement is now already become very widespread in Egypt and it is a just a matter of time before Mr Mubarak, the despot vacates his place for a more people friendly leader elected through democratic process which would take place by  free and fair elections.

 The winds that are sweeping Egypt and some other Arab Countries have the potential to become a massive storm. It is indeed a historic moment for all the well wishers of global and universal democracy. The seeds being sown will bear their fruits much later. Future generations will witness these. The Arab World got it’s treasure – The Oil by destiny. But now they have this golden opportunity to change their political set ups and bring about social changes and hence create their own new destiny.

World leaders, particularly The USA and Europe need to be careful while dealing with this issue. As leaders of the world community of nations they have a right to broker peace and help necessitate The Country’s peaceful transition to Democracy. But there should not be any ulterior motive, and they should not unduly meddle into the Arab affairs.

The success of this revolution in Egypt and across the Arab World depends on how well the people are able to effect these cherished changes, not merely by overthrowing the old despotic governments, but also by enshrining and involving these values in the Policies and Practices of the new governments. Otherwise it would just be like an Autocratic Inefficient Despot is replaced by Structural Inefficiency and Sloth (Happens commonly in developing and underdeveloped democracies).  

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