The missed message: Arab world at crossroads

Observer

2 days ago

Comedian Eddie Griffin once posed a piercing question about faith: "You say you follow the messenger! Did you get the message?" For nearly two millennia, the Arab world, encompassing nearly half a billion people who share a linguistic and cultural heritage from the Sultanate of Oman to Morocco, the Comoros, and the Levant, has aspired to a positive global influence.
A pivotal moment arrived with a charismatic social justice messenger whose core mission was universal: To remind humanity of timeless virtues, honesty, trust, modesty, chastity, courage, patience, generosity, hospitality, family bonds and good neighbourliness. This profound moral framework offered immense potential.
Yet today, in our hyper-connected world, we seem to have failed in truly internalising and effectively sharing this essential message. I understand a cultural hesitation around the word 'failure', preferring terms like 'struggling'. However, acknowledging shortcomings is crucial for progress. Without this honesty, we risk remaining trapped in unresolved cycles of challenge.
The urgency for the Arab world to rediscover its moral voice and collective strength is starkly highlighted by the devastating conflicts and instability plaguing our region. External interventions and complex regional dynamics have fuelled immense suffering, evident by the denial of a decent life, food, and even water to a caged, starving population. This crisis underscores the profound need for a renewed Arab identity grounded in its foundational values.
I believe our path forward lies in consciously leveraging these enduring morals to build modern forms of power, drawing on Joseph Nye's concepts: hard, soft and sharp power.
True hard power requires effective collective action. The Arab League, headquartered in Cairo, embodies this missed opportunity. Despite representing diverse and culturally rich nations with a combined population of almost 500 million and significant economic resources, they have consistently struggled to shake off the Arab League's timid overall performance, translating potential into decisive, unified, and effective influence on regional crises or global affairs. Its impact remains fragmented, undermining the collective weight the Arab world could wield.
Soft power flows from cultural appeal and intellectual contribution. While historical Islamic civilisation was a beacon of learning, contemporary Arab soft power often feels underdeveloped. Where are the globally recognised scientific pioneers, the groundbreaking technological innovations, or the universally resonant artistic movements rooted distinctly in Arab values today?
Even established platforms like Al Jazeera Network, initially a significant voice, face criticism for perceived shifts away from independent Arab perspectives towards narratives subservient to the superpowers' regional proxy, diminishing its unique soft power potential.
Sharp power involves shaping perceptions through culture and information. Intriguingly, global interest in the intellectual and cultural legacy of Islamic civilisation is rising, particularly among younger generations seeking historical depth beyond modern headlines. Yet, there is a conspicuous lack of coordinated, large-scale Arab initiatives to strategically channel this growing fascination. We are missing a crucial chance to shape narratives and build positive influence for the contemporary Arab world, allowing others to define our story.
The message delivered centuries ago was never solely about the past; it was a blueprint for a just and moral society. The core virtues, honesty guiding governance, generosity shaping economies, courage defending rights, and hospitality welcoming diversity, remain profoundly relevant. Their erosion within our societies and our struggle to project them authentically outward weakens us.
Reclaiming this moral compass isn't nostalgia; it's a strategic necessity. It demands introspection and commitment to progress. It requires investing in education systems that instill these values, fostering innovation hubs where ethics drive progress, building institutions that embody trust and social justice, and supporting cultural ambassadors who authentically represent the best of the Arab spirit.
It is now, more than ever, that the Arab world must remember, embody, and project the timeless message of its core morals.
By innovatively weaving these values into the fabric of modern hard, soft, and sharp power, we can move beyond struggle towards genuine renewal and influence. Our legacy and our future stability depend on getting and sharing this essential message once more.