My Best Enemy

My Best Enemy

Dr. Jassim Taqui

The  Cultural Section of  the Germany Embassy has enthralled the cinema lovers by showing  the film “ My best  Enemy”. The film is a rare combination of war,  love and humor.

Austrian director Wolfgang Murnberger attempted to inject  humor,  in a strange  tale of switched identities between a Nazi and a Jew during WWII. 

Trying to be amusing and respectfully serious at the same time, the film becomes a unique combination of contrasts.

Carefree, debonair Victor (Bleibtreu) is the wealthy son of Viennese art dealers, the Kaufmanns . It’s 1938, just before Germany takes over Austria, and he’s overjoyed when his childhood chum Rudi Smekal (Friedrich), the son of the family housekeeper, returns from Germany. Little does he know that Rudi has become an S.S. officer and will soon betray the Jewish Kaufmanns.

Most people would not trust Rudi with the cookie jar, but Victor foolishly shows him a secret room where his father is hiding a rare drawing by Michelangelo, no less. Next day, the Nazis are pounding on the door to confiscate it as a present for Hitler. While the shocked Kaufmanns are escorted to a concentration camp, Rudi and his gloating cohorts make off with the drawing, or rather a forged copy of the original.

Discovering their mistake, the Nazis order Rudi to take Victor to Berlin for interrogation. But their plane is shot down by Polish partisans and, while Rudi is unconscious, Victor switches his filthy concentration camp rags for the other’s spiffy S.S. officer uniform. When the Germans show up, it’s Rudi who gets knocked around and insulted for being a wretched Jew.

The line between realism and humor is just too fine to work here. As situation comedy, Victor finding himself forced to play a Nazi, while nasty Rudi wails his innocence. However, there is a twist in the plot, giving everyone a surprise and happy ending.

World Day For Cultural Diversity

The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development commemorated in National College of Arts Rawalpindi

Albab-report

 The United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda for 2030 acknowledges for the first time, the key role of culture, creativity and cultural diversity to solving sustainable development challenges, to advance economic growth and foster social inclusion. This recognition resonates with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005), the 10^thanniversary celebrated in 2015.

Rawalpindi: Celebrating Cultural Diversity means opening up new perspectives for sustainable development and promoting creative industries and cultural entrepreneurship. Key Cultural Stakeholders of twin cities join hands together at National College of Arts (NCA) Rawalpindi in a dialogue to address the Role of Diverse Groups in Cultural and Creative Industries and marked The World Cultural Diversity Day. The event was organized by UNESCO and the National College of Arts with the support of Danish supported Center for Culture and Development (CKU) and in collaboration with Centre for Culture and Development (C2D), Unicorn Black and Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP). The event particularly focused on The Role of Diverse Groups in Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries.

The objective of the commemoration is to raise awareness of stakeholders on the UNESCO’s 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions, and to highlight the role of diverse groups of the society including women, youth, persons with disabilities and other minorities in promoting creativity and development.

DR. Nadeem Omar Tarar, Director, NCA welcomed all the participants and discussed the role of NCA with respect to developing the potential of youth for contemporary culture and creative Industries. Moderating the overall session, he highlighted the role of marginalized community of transgender and invited the representative of trans-genders Group and Executive Director of WAJOOD, Bubli Malik who talked and demanded the provision for the need of education, skillful knowledge, health facilities and small loans under the Government schemes for transgender community to encourage respective livelihood and business opportunities.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Vibeke Jensen, UNESCO Representative to Pakistan highlighted that the event is organized within the framework of a UNESCO- Danish supported Center for Culture and Development (CKU) project which aimed at mobilizing a wide range of stakeholders on the importance of the Government of Pakistan for ratification of the 2005 UNESCO "Convention for the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expression", adding further that the event would be helpful to develop a comprehensive and inclusive culture policy. She expressed that Pakistan has an incredibly rich and diverse society in terms of culture, creativity and cultural expressions which should be harnessed in the development of a dynamic economy. She stressed that the 2005 Convention recognizes culture as a mainspring of an inclusive, sustainable development and suggests to Member States to adopt policies and measures that provide access to diverse range of creators to participate in domestic and international marketplaces where their artistic works/expressions can be fully recognized and compensated.

Ms. Fouzia Saeed, Executive Director, Lok Virsa who was the chief guest said that women was an integral part of the sustainable development. She expressed that women should not be afraid of the cultural diversity and should express themselves through creativity. She mentioned that women are repository of the culture as they hold the first place where the culture and diversity gets transferred to the next generation.

UNESCO’s implementing partner, Center for Culture and Development (C2D) believes to promote and recognize the role of women in creative industries. Ms. Izza Khan, Executive Director, C2D emphasized on the importance and recognition of the diversity of roles of women at all levels for prosperity of the nation.

Mr. Abbas Saleem Khan, Head of Operations, UNICORN BLACK mentioned the success story of his media company with its's two projects, “Burka Avenger” and Tazzi and their positive impact on youth development.  He described how technology products revolutionize problem solving via digital mediation mechanisms.

Mr. Atif Sheikh, Executive Director of Special Challenge Exchange Program, emphasized on the role of Persons with Disabilities in Creative Industry. He quoted examples of such talented people who were able to achieve economical independence despite of such physical dependencies. He said that Persons with Disabilities need to be accepted as diversified human resource in present modern economic system. It is duty of the Policy makers to focus on creating enabling environment to mainstream people with diversified capabilities in the economic development.

Mr. Andrew Senior, UNESCO’s Expert on 2005 Convention and Creative Economy in his message from London mentioned that cultural artefacts are all around us but the 2005 Convention isn’t about artefacts, there are other UNESCO treaties that cover heritage. The 2005 Convention is about contemporary culture and how our experience of culture in the 21^st century presents remarkable opportunities for a cultural manifestation from Pakistan to find an audience in Latin America or Japan or Canada or anywhere in the world, if it resonates in a way that can engage an audience there. So it is about how this trade in cultural experiences has both cultural and economic value, and how these can play a critical role in the development agenda.

More than 100 participants from cultural, creative and industrial sector attended this event.  The panel discussion was followed by an attractive display in the college gallery, where NCA, UNICORN BLACK and STEPS displayed their strength work.

Students of National College of Arts displayed their art work in context of the day. Mr. Mahmood Sheikh Professor for Product/ Package Design curated the exhibition. Unicorn Black showcased ‘Burka Avenger’ (a digital media product in animation medium) with its merchandise including Action Figures, Watches, Caps and Notebooks that was point of attraction for the students and youngsters. At STEPS stall, persons with disabilities presented the process of entrepreneurship through demonstration, guide books and information materials. It was interesting to see live cooking and sale of goods as successful enterprising story on the spot.

Saeb Erekat and Doha Forum

Saeb Erekat and Doha Forum

Dr. Jassim Taqui

In one of the sessions of Doha Forum, the Palestinian top negotiator with Israel Saeb Erekat talked about the Palestinian issue with bitterness. He was very critical of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the extent of drawing a parallel between him and ISISchief Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.

Erekat pressed for the two-state solution and declared support to the French President initiative on the Middle East.  He forewarned that if the independent Palestinian state was not established, ISIS could advance in the West Bank and Israel itself, which might spread doom in the region.

Surprisingly, Erekat ignored the initiative of the Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al Sisi who offered mediation between Palestinian factions and Israel, which was welcomed by all regional and international powers.

One outstanding outcome of the Doha Forum was the stance of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani who stressed that peace could not be achieved unless Israel ended its occupation of the Palestinian territories including Jerusalem. His speech was delivered by Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani while he was in attendance.

The Emir reflected the sentiments of participants of Doha Summit by condemning repression, tyranny, double standards, violation of human rights and basic freedom. He went on to categorizing such policies as threats to human security. 

EU-US tension escalate

EU-US tension escalate

RT report

As the US and EU continue to secretly debate the controversial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), talks aren’t only taking place behind closed doors. Frustrations are also being aired online, according to emails obtained by Politico.

An email sent on Friday and obtained by the website shows the European Commission warning the 28 EU ambassadors in Brussels that there will be no TTIP deal unless Washington changes its approach to negotiations

The document focuses on agriculture, one of the most contentious of the 27 chapters currently under negotiation in TTIP talks.

The email expresses the Commission’s concern that “the EU has not seen substantial progress in areas of significant importance to EU agriculture, such as geographical indications, wine and non-tariff barriers.”

It goes on to state that “the US Administration does not yet seem to be in a place where it can reciprocate the EU’s efforts in TTIP and to start delivering on matters of EU interest.”

The email, written from the office of European Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan, was agreed upon by several Commission departments, and President Jean-Claude Juncker’s office was aware of it being sent to the EU ambassadors, according to separate emails seen by Politico.

Friday’ email came in response to what the Commission referred to as a“somewhat unusual email correspondence” received on Wednesday from Washington’s ambassador to the EU, Anthony Gardner, that criticized Hogan for making a “series of misleading statements in the press” with a list of the remarks.

In a somewhat ironic statement considering the now public nature of his email, Gardner also said that “while differences of opinion are natural, especially on tough issues like agriculture, they should be aired privately, rather than in the public arena.”

He went on to express Washington’s position that “EU tariffs are 2-3 times as high as US tariffs and EU non-tariff barriers have virtually eliminated many of our key exports.”

However, an internal Commission briefing shared with EU ambassadors and obtained by Politico shows that the European Union has its own concerns over the possible removal of tariffs.

The document cites “substantial gains for US agriculture if tariffs and some non-tariff barriers are fully removed by the EU side. In the applied scenarios the US is a clear winner in trade in agricultural products in TTIP.”

The TTIP has been controversial since it was first proposed. Backers, including US President Barack Obama, stress that it would create the world’s largest free-trade zone, claiming the more integrated marketplace would help small businesses by opening up markets and making customs processes easier. They also say it would reduce trade tariffs on products.

However, many Europeans say the TTIP would place corporate interest above national interest, stressing that international corporations would be given power at the expense of small and medium-sized businesses. The secrecy surrounding the talks has also come under fierce criticism.

In order for the TTIP to come into force, all 28 EU member states and the European Parliament would have to ratify it – a possibility which seems increasingly unlikely. Negotiations on the deal have so far consisted of 13 rounds of talks over the course of three years.

UNODC and training Law Enforcing officials

Regional Training of Trainers on UNODC Toolkit for Law Enforcement Officials

Islamabad    

30 May - 02 June 2016

Al-Bab Report

Internationally, the essential role played by law enforcement in protecting citizens and promoting public health, particularly in vulnerable communities, is gaining increased understanding and appreciation. Of these communities, drug users are amongst the most vulnerable; therefore, greater emphasis must be placed on how law enforcement personnel engage with members of this group.

The UNODC has developed a toolkit to support law enforcement personnel in order to better understand and engage more effectively with members of vulnerable populations, such as drug users. These toolkits will provide police officers of all ranks with essential knowledge and skillsets needed both to protect them and to provide a positive enabling environment that enhances the collective health of the community. 

Based on this toolkit, a four day long Training of Trainers (ToT) course is being organised for law enforcement officials from the countries covered by the UNODC Regional Programme on Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries (Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan). Approximately 25 law enforcement officials from these countries are participating in the course.

Mr. Toaha Hussain Bugti, Senior Joint Secretary, Narcotics Control Division, Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, graced the opening ceremony of the training course as the chief guest.

During the course of the training, participants will develop a better understanding of the correlation between policing and public health. This “ToT” training course will build upon the capacities of the participants, so that in the future they may  conduct future training courses on the subject within their respective countries. The course will help them understand drug use, appropriate public health responses to drug use and the role of law enforcement in supporting these efforts. In addition, it will allow them to apply their acquired skills to productively engaging with vulnerable populations, namely users of illicit drugs.

The training is supported by Government of Sweden through the UNODC Regional Programme on Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries.

WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY

WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY

31 May 2016

Al-Bab Report

Cigarettes and other tobacco products kill almost 6 million people every year. Sustainable Development Goal 3 aims to “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.  As part of that approach, governments have committed to strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries to reduce the proportion of people who use tobacco.

On World No Tobacco Day 2016, the United Nations is lending its support to one simple measure with proven effectiveness in reducing demand: the plain packaging of tobacco products.  As laid out in the UN tobacco control treaty, this entails restricting or prohibiting the use of logos, colours, brand images or any promotional information other than brand and product names displayed in a standard colour and font.

Tobacco use is one of the largest causes of preventable noncommunicable diseases, including cancers, heart and lung disease.  It also diverts valuable household income.  Plain packaging reduces the attractiveness of tobacco products, restricts tobacco advertising and promotion, limits misleading labeling, and increases the effectiveness of health warnings.

On this World No Tobacco Day, I call on governments around the world to get ready for plain packaging.

UNICEF and Refugees

UNICEF alarmed at refugee and migrant deaths in the Mediterranean

 Al-Bab Report

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 29 May 2015 – UNICEF expresses alarm at the number of migrant and refugee deaths in the past week in the Central Mediterranean, many of whom were believed to be unaccompanied minors.

In anticipation of a major summer upswing of child migrants using the dangerous crossing between Libya and Italy UNICEF will shortly begin an operation with the Italian Government and partners to provide protection support.

The vast majority of children using the crossing are unaccompanied adolescents and they have faced appalling abuses, exploitation and the possibility of death at every step of their journey.

"The stories which I have personally heard from children making this journey are horrifying. No child should face them. Their lives are in the hands of smugglers who care for nothing other than the money they exhort from them,” said Marie-Pierre Poirier UNICEF special coordinator for the European Refugee and Migrant Crisis.

An average of 1,000 unaccompanied children a month have arrived in Italy this year but UNICEF expects this figures to spike in the coming months.

Democracy, transparency and turmoil in Pakistan

Democracy, transparency and turmoil in Pakistan

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Today, Pakistan is going through unprecedented turmoil in its history. Its people are suffering  as a result of the rampant corruption and bad governance over the years.

Pakistan emerged as a beacon of hope for the Muslims in the Subcontinent, with democratic dispensation as its polity.

The Founder of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, made it clear from the very inception of the newly found state:  that it would follow a democratic system. He went on to state that the main reason behind the creation of Pakistan was to protect human rights and minorities.

Jinnah said, “Make no mistake that Pakistan was NOT created to be a theocracy.” In his address to the Constituent Assembly on 11^th August, 1947, Jinnah said: “You are free: you are free to go to your temples; you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, or caste or creed- that has nothing to do with the business of the State.”

Unfortunately, Jinnah did not live long enough to build up a strong democratic base. General Ayub Khan made the first coup in 1958, and continued to rule through rigged elections until he was forced to resign following a popular uprising in 1969.

The 11 year rule of General Ayub Khan created the so-called Military Establishment, which has emerged to be the decision maker.

In 1970, the only fair elections were held in Pakistan, which were won by Sheikh Mujibur Rehman of Awami League. However, the Punjabi bureaucracy refused to hand power to the winning party. The subsequent unrest resulted in the 1971 war with India.

East Pakistan was lost while Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto ruled West Pakistan, as a martial law administrator, Prime Minister and President.

Turmoil re-emerged when Bhutto rigged the 1975 elections. The religious parties formed the Pakistan National Alliance, and started agitation which resulted in the imposition of Martial Law by General  Zia ul Haq in 1975. Bhutto was hanged subsequently in 1979, creating unrest and instability until General Zia ul Haq died on 17^th August 1988 as a result of a mysterious air crash.  

From 1988 to date, Pakistan’s People Party and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz have alternately ruled Pakistan. Each party secretly contacted the army to topple the ruling party. Consequently, the army has emerged as undisputed decision maker in the country.

In April 2016, the Panama Leaks disclosed hundreds of thousands of documents showing involvement of all Pakistani political parties in massive corruption and money laundering to the tune of $200 billion.

According to the official statistics of National Bank of Pakistan, the country’s total domestic and foreign debts stand at $358 billion. In 2013, the country was on the verge of default, forcing the government to knock the doors of IMF, which agreed to a bail-out package of $6.7 billion just to service Pakistan’s annual debts.

The IMF unfairly states that only 2 percent of the people of Pakistan pay their taxes. The fact of the matter is that, 2 percent of the rich people are NOT paying taxes while 98 percent of the poor ARE paying direct and indirect taxes.

Evidently, the failure of the democratic system is attributed to lack of transparency, duality of power and inability of the civilian and military rulers to share power.

The failure of the democratic system in Pakistan qualifies to be a case study that covers all failed democratic dispensations the world over. However, the system needs massive reforms.

It is estimated that 85 percent of the members of the  parliament are feudal lords or their representatives, who would win every election. Thus the status quo continues to prevail in the country. An amendment in the constitution is needed to rid the parliament of the feudal lords and to ensure genuine representation of the people of Pakistan. Furthermore, Local body elections need to be reformed to establish democracy at grass-root levels.

Another set of reforms should be introduced to strengthen the national institutions by making them autonomous and free from government’s control or interference.

The Judiciary needs to be delinked from Executive and Legislative control. Most importantly, the Judiciary should be totally depoliticized.

Transparency, which is the pillar of any democratic system, MUST be followed to ensure good governance. The misuse of power by rulers, warrants that a law should be made at provincial and federal levels to ensure that, no ruler be allowed to contest elections, if his election involves a clash of interest between his post and his business interests.

Fortunately, the present Chief of Army Staff General  Raheel Sharif categorically stated his disinterest in politics. The new reform should ensure delinking  the army from politics while recognizing its due role in decision making in matters pertaining to security, defence and counter terrorism.

Pakistan also needs moral support of the International community since it is a front-line state in the War Against Terrorism, and has tremendously suffered as a consequence.

Pakistan has enormous potential for investment in infrastructure, energy, industry, raw materials, agriculture and water resources. It needs political stability and a sustained democratic system to realize its true potential and to usher Pakistan into a new era of rediscovering its identity as perceived by Jinnah.   

Doha Forum and five candidates of UN Secretary General

Doha Forum and five candidates of UN Secretary General

Dr. Jassim Taqui

In one session of Doha Forum, five candidates for the post of  UN Secretary General lobbied. They are: Danilo Turk, former President of Slovenia, Vesna Pusic, Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Srgian Kerim, former  Minister of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia, Vuk Jeremic, Former Foreign Minister of Serbia and  Natalia Gherman, former Foreign Minister of  Moldova.

All the candidates presented impressive presentations detailing their agenda. All promised  to introduce reform in the United Nations once they were elected. However  Natalia was the most impressive.

Interacting with her, Natalia looked very confident. She expected that the next UN Secretary General would be a woman. She also expected massive help from the EU since she was familiar with many European countries. She served as ambassador to Austria, Sweden, Norway Finland and Permanent Representative to the OSCE. China and its allies promise to support her candidacy to the post of UN Secretary General.

She was keen to complete her post graduate studies in UK. In 1999, she obtained Master of Art and postgraduate degree in war studies at King’s College, London. Thus, the British should  be inclined to support her.  

Natalia is full of ideas especially on changing the present unjust economic system, serving poor and downtrodden, ending regional conflicts through dialogue, implementing UN resolutions on outstanding issues, protecting minorities, upholding human rights and empowerment of women.

Natalia fascinates you with her perfect English and charming smile. She is an excellent  listener with a high degree of self-esteem. Many people who were sitting on her table prayed for her success. 

Facing today's storm

Facing today's storm
Ramona Manescu
Chairman of the Qatari-European Friendship Group and European Parliament member

Since our last meeting, in 2015, the World community succeeded in one of its greatest struggles. A global agreement on tackling Climate Change. This happened in December, at the Paris COP21, and was sealed in New York, one month ago, when 175 countries signed the Agreement.It is not a small achievement! 

And its true value will be better understood in the light of the future generations.

Unfortunately, the list of global and regional problems remains rather long, maybe even longer if we look at the effects of record-low oil prices or the way migration impacted EU cohesion.

Within the seven minutes I was given, I can’t even hope of covering everything, from the future job loss due to wide spread use of robotics, or the way societies change because of the social media and fast information, to the nuclear threat of rouge dictatorships like Kim Jong-un, or the spread of new diseases like the the Zika virus.

We are in Doha, in the middle of a region that marks this year’s centenary of the Arab revolts of 1916, which set in motion many of the nationalist trends of the 20th Century in the MENA area.

This memorial comes in a time of big change for the Arab world. Unfortunately, in many instances, this change is not for the better. 

Today’s headlines speak of internal strife, proxy wars, mass migration, the greatest humanitarian crisis since the Second World War, and international interests colliding in the region. 

As Chair of the EU – Qatar Parliamentary Friendship Group and Vice-Chair of the Mashreq Delegation I would like to concentrate more on this area.

 

I feel that the MENA region, unwillingly, is the aim of today’ greatest threat, not only to its internal well-being, but also to the global peace and security.

We all saw the implications of only one incident: the downing of the Russian Sukhoi bomber aircraft near the Syria–Turkey border on 24 November 2015. 

Without assumed answers and a determined implementation of these answers, a “perfect storm” is very possible! 

Such a perfect storm would not only compromise achievements like the one I mentioned in the beginning, but also would bring chaos and havoc over a huge area, inhabited by hundreds of millions of people, dragging into it half of the world.

First, the dire reality must be acknowledged! 

For example, for a Syrian girl, who was born in a refugee camp, in Jordan, at the start of the conflict, she is now ready to enter school. Her memories will only be about the hardship of being a refugee and the uncertainty about the future.

The war and insecurity is destroying not only the present. IT IS DESTROYING THE FUTURE! 

We all agreed already that the root causes of today’s conflicts are the scarcity in access to education, lack of economic opportunities, poor infrastructure, and week state capacity. 

I was talking about these one year ago, at the very same Forum.

The conflict zone, which spread from North Africa to the tip of Arab Peninsula, is successfully doing exactly these: keeping the youth far from attaining education, killing the local economy and spreading poverty, destroying vital infrastructure, multiplying the collapsed states.

What are the chances of today’s kids in the future? What are the chances of these countries in the economic competition of tomorrow?

If nothing is done, the front page of newspapers, 30 years from now, will still be about the conflict in the Middle East. If not of something much worse!

We all hoped that years of negotiations and the successful coming into action of the Nuclear Agreement with Iran will bring hope, ease the tensions and offer new economic opportunities in the region. 

Instead, it complicated and heightened the regional rivalries, namely the sectarian tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

In the whole MENA region, regardless of whether we are talking about the battles in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon or elsewhere, they can all be viewed not only as conflicts within the country, but as proxy wars between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

At first sight, they are all part of the centuries-old battle between Sunni (Saudi Arabia) and Shia (Iran). 

But, as with most religious conflicts, it really comes down to a battle for power and control.

Even if it would not solve the entire problem, breaking the link between Iran and the funding of terrorist organizations, or its habit of stirring up sectarian unrest in other countries, would bring the entire region closer to a much needed equilibrium between the predominantly Sunni Gulf states and the Shia Iran. 

In such a desired future, of course there is competition, probable suspicion, but not an active or proxy warfare.

Coming to proxy wars, in the last 12 months, we witnessed how regional tensions drew in other actors, which are taking sides,upscaling the conflict to a global level.

Russia’s return to the Middle East, with its military deployment to Syria, has rekindled memories of the Cold War when Moscow and Washington confronted each other across the region. Though, its today’s presence in the region is not an ideological motivated one, but an opportunistic pursuit of national interests. Obviously, Russia’s help towards Bashar al-Assad’s regime is just prolonging the war. The very same war which produced millions of refugees and spurred the rise of Daesh and the militant group’s expansion into Iraq, Libya and other oil-producing nations.

The lengthening of the conflict destabilizes Europe and brings dissensions between its member states because of the millions of refugees. It also brings an opportunity for Daesh to infiltrate EU immigrants’ communities.

An unstable Middle East and, maybe, a conflict contamination to other countries in the region seems, in Moscow’s eyes, the only thing that can push up the oil prices. Today’s oil prices represents an immediate threat to national security for Russia.

Not the least, the Russian military presence in Syria, offers bargaining chips to Moscow, in its diplomatic efforts to lift the economic sanctions that followed the Crimea annexation.

I believe that the experience and capacity accumulated in the one hundred years that passed from Al-Thawra al-`Arabiyya, offers to the countries in this region the means to solve on their own the internal conflicts, without allowing others, like before, to play their proxy wars and “Games of Thrones”.

A new generation of Arabs are already questioning the status quo, both in politics and business.

Not only war, conflict and strife are changing the Middle East.

We live in the digital age, where there is a much greater boldness to express ideas and concerns. More than 100 million people access Facebook on mobiles across the MENA region today. The same area is one of the fastest growing on Twitter and Instagram.

Young people, between ages 15 and 29 represent close to 30% of the population. This means over 100 million citizens transitioning into adulthood. The largest number in the region’s history. This generation is relying increasingly on entrepreneurship and the private sector. 

Job creation in the MENA region is dominated by young companies. These businesses need support to provide sustainability in their job creation and bring new opportunities.

I feel that countries like Qatar, Oman or the United Arab Emirates are showing how legitimacy by competence is the best way forward while modern national identities are being formed.

Some have focused their attention on redrawing borders, challenging the Sykes-Picot agreement of 1916.

I consider that the main focus must be upon the people living within the borders.

The main duty of the leaders and governments must be towards these people, their security, well-being and freedom.

I am sure that a Middle East without conflicts will benefit everyone more. It would be a great place to do business, to innovate, to visit and to live in. More than a Middle East hunted by proxy wars and endless conflicts.

From the yesterday’s opening speeches, I feel that there are leaders in this world that have this kind of vision for the future.

It takes strength for someone to face today’s storms, but it takes COURAGE to stop them.

A theory of change

A theory of change

Dr. Jassim Taqui

A debate has started in some circles to discuss a theory of change. Various models were suggested to bring about change in a world full of crimes, terrorism, regional wars and proliferation of mass destruction weapons. Evidently, with so many variables prevalent in the world, theoretical models are deemed to fail.

I suggest a new model. To my mind, one should start from the basics. A social and political change cannot be achieved without individual change. Therefore, one should suggest an inner change of the individual that shuns rigidity, extremism and hatred.

What is needed is teaching people to build up love in their selves. To do so, you need to find out all barriers you have built in yourself against  love and eliminate them. Love will automatically prevail.

In this regard, I would live to quote Rumi’s concept of change. In his masterpiece, “Who is at my door?”:

He said, "Who is at my door?"
I said, "Your humble servant."
He said, "What business do you have?"
I said, "To greet you, 0 Lord."

He said, "How long will you journey on?"
I said, "Until you stop me."
He said, "How long will you boil in the fire?"
I said, "Until I am pure.

"This is my oath of love.
For the sake of love
I gave up wealth and position."

He said, "You have pleaded your case
but you have no witness."
I said, "My tears are my witness;
the pallor of my face is my proof.'
He said, "Your witness has no credibility;
your eyes are too wet to see."
I said, "By the splendor of your justice
my eyes are clear and faultless."

He said, "What do you seek?"
I said, "To have you as my constant friend."
He said, "What do you want from me?"
I said, "Your abundant grace."

He said, "Who was your companion on the journey?
I said, "The thought of you, 0 King."
He said, "What called you here?"
I said, "The fragrance of your wine."

He said, "What brings you the most fulfillment?"
I said, "The company of the Emperor."
He said, "What do you find there?"
I said, "A hundred miracles."
He said, "Why is the palace deserted?"
I said, "They all fear the thief."
He said, "Who is the thief?"
I said, "The one who keeps me from -you.

He said, "Where is there safety?"
I said, "In service and renunciation."
He said, "What is there to renounce?"
I said, "The hope of salvation."

He said, "Where is there calamity?"
I said, "In the presence of your love."
He said, "How do you benefit from this life?"
I said, "By keeping true to myself

Now it is time for silence.
If I told you about His true essence
You would fly from yourself and be gone,
and neither door nor roof could hold you back!