If The Arab World does not start modernising

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
1

Here is a report from BBC. How different is Pakistan’s situation from that described for the various Arab countries. I guess the west is going to choke off immigration from that region as far as possible. I don’t see where else is this headed.

Monday, 9 September, 2002, 10:56 GMT 11:56 UK
Arab world ‘faces further stagnation’

Sky-high youth unemployment is causing disaffection

The Arab world risks trapping its growing and youthful population in poverty if it does not start modernising fast, a report suggests.
In its Arab Competitiveness report, the World Economic Forum - best known for its annual summit of the global great and good each January in Davos, Switzerland - says Arab countries have squandered their mineral wealth.

Rock-bottom educational standards, high tariffs, closed economies, rampant corruption - are all contributing to the stagnation of the 16 countries the 400-page report identifies as making up the Arab World.

Combined with “exploding population growth” (as the report puts it), urgent change is needed, the report says.

Change or be changed

The release of the report coincides with a conference on Arab competitiveness in Geneva.

Countries covered by the report
Algeria
Bahrain
Egypt
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Mauritania
Morocco
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
Republic of Yemen

It also comes as the world examines the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US.

The increasing likelihood of a US assault on Iraq, with its potential to spill over into renewed unrest or civil conflict in Palestine, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East, is making the subject of the Arab world’s economic success or failure ever more topical.

The report suggests that this could increase pressure on the Arab states to change or be changed from the outside.

Younger and angrier

Given the WEF’s status as a bulwark of western-led globalisation, the solutions it offers for the Arab world’s problems are the familiar set of promoting entrepreneurship, accelerating tax reform, improving the environment for innovation and making technology transfer easier.

But the report also stresses the need to improve educational systems, as one means of tackling the endemic unemployment in the region.

It also notes the problem of rising youth unemployment.

According to a recent United Nations Development Programme report, the Arab world’s population is set to swell from 280 million now to 410-460 million in 2020, while even today as many as 40% of the population are under 14 years old.

Unemployment across the region tops 15%, with young people especially afflicted.

The UNDP report pulled no punches, saying the region’s refusal to grant women more rights, open up the political process, improve education and crack down on widespread corruption left it incapable of pulling itself out of a two-decade slump.

Eye on the ball

Part of the problem, the report says, is that policy-makers are concentrated to such an extent on the geopolitics of the region that more micro-level efforts to build engines for growth are ignored.

There has also been a failure to tackle the obvious limitations of natural resources including scarce water and arable land, the WEF says, adding that the region’s governments needs to make more effective use of their relatively high levels of investment.

2

What do you exactly mean by "modernizing". Would that mean giving up fundamental beliefs and start following what's being dictated to them by the US of A. If there's a problem, it's cannot be solved with modernization that could include twisting Islam in order to cater the Western lifestyle. And I think that's what you are trying to imply. The forthmost change required is to let the Arab countries rid themselves of corrupt and spineless leaders who have been only seving the interests of US and the Zionists. Let people introduce Islamic reforms in the government and judicial system, and most of the problems will go away.

3

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by outlaw: *
What do you exactly mean by "modernizing". Would that mean giving up fundamental beliefs and start following what's being dictated to them by the US of A. If there's a problem, it's cannot be solved with modernization that could include twisting Islam in order to cater the Western lifestyle. And I think that's what you are trying to imply. The forthmost change required is to let the Arab countries rid themselves of corrupt and spineless leaders who have been only seving the interests of US and the Zionists. Let people introduce Islamic reforms in the government and judicial system, and most of the problems will go away.
[/QUOTE]

No I am not implying that at all. By modernising I mean a decent education, infrastructure to provide decent water, food, and housing, jobs for the young, an industry that can provide a livlihood to the population. If the Islamic reforms will get the region there then let it be so. But right now nothing is happening. It is merely the governments are bad, IMF is bad, US is bad , Zionists are bad, every body is bad but no changes are being made in the region and the problems are multiplying. Modernising means live in the 21st century, learn the sciences and knowledge of the 21st century, compete and live amongst the comity of nations as an equal.

4

Old Lahori: it's not a mere blame game. If there were true Islamists leading those countries, then they would have cured the Israeli menace long time ago. There are enough weapons at their disposal to keep Israel at bay.

I have not travelled through the oil-rich Middle Eastern states, but it seems as though, their infrastructure is in much better condition than even some of the Europeon countries. The problem is the lack of implementation of political and judicial reforms. There are renowned scholars, universities and if many of them teach fundamental principles of Islam, then let it be. There should not be a problem and no one has the right to raise voices of concern and somehow try to promote "modern or moderate Islam". Especially, coming from those who do not know an iota about Quran and Prophet's Sunnah. They have absolutely no right to point fingers.

First and the forthmost thing they need to do is slap sanctions on each and every American company in the region that distributes its profits directly to Israel. Believe me, whoever has the guts to take this step, no matter how harsh the economic conditions, will earn an instant applause from its people.

5

What is the literacy rate in the arab world? We need muslim doctors, engineers, scientists, etc, not musims having a full time job being muslim.

6

I keep hearing that there are plenty of doctors, engineers, scientists, etc in the arab world but they can't get a job.

7

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by outlaw: *
Old Lahori: it's not a mere blame game. If there were true Islamists leading those countries, then they would have cured the Israeli menace long time ago. There are enough weapons at their disposal to keep Israel at bay.

I have not travelled through the oil-rich Middle Eastern states, but it seems as though, their infrastructure is in much better condition than even some of the Europeon countries. The problem is the lack of implementation of political and judicial reforms. There are renowned scholars, universities and if many of them teach fundamental principles of Islam, then let it be. There should not be a problem and no one has the right to raise voices of concern and somehow try to promote "modern or moderate Islam". Especially, coming from those who do not know an iota about Quran and Prophet's Sunnah. They have absolutely no right to point fingers.

First and the forthmost thing they need to do is slap sanctions on each and every American company in the region that distributes its profits directly to Israel. Believe me, whoever has the guts to take this step, no matter how harsh the economic conditions, will earn an instant applause from its people.
[/QUOTE]

I dont believe you have thought this through properly,the problems this would cause,do you really believe that the Palestinians would gain anything by biting the hand of their largest aid sponser,Isreal would not be hurt in any way,which is obviously your first and foremost wish,the destruction of Isreal.
Whilst this attitude toward Isreal,continues,the Palestinians will know nothing but the poverty and misery,which they have to bear at present and for the last 53 years.
It is time for the middle east to accept the fact that Isreal is there to stay and nothing they can do will change that,it is a fact!

8

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
I keep hearing that there are plenty of doctors, engineers, scientists, etc in the arab world but they can't get a job.
[/QUOTE]

How come?