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Plenty has been said about the constantly simmering cauldron that is the Middle East. Almost everyone agrees that it is the most dangerous place to be in. The Americans didn’t help matters by ‘breaking’ a country but then to blame them alone is neither fair nor enough. Most agree that the core problems are cultural and would rather be solved by change from within. Just as most social, political, and cultural differences are best addressed from within the society that it plagues, the Arab conundrum is no different.
Everyone blames the radical Islam for ruining the image of the religion and also point fingers to the moderates within the religion for letting the fundamentalists take control. The moderates may fear for their lives and hence choose to stay silent or probably are apathetic unless it affects them personally or still worse silently agree with what their fundamentalist counterparts are doing. Islam isn’t the only religion with its share of fundamentalists but it certainly is the one that has allowed them to take control. As Friedman says in his column today [no link; behind NY Times TimeSelect wall], “there is no legitimate, decent, source of Arab-Muslim authority today, no center of gravity for “people to anchor their souls in”. As a result, suicide bombers or violent insurgents aren’t condemned enough or even silently admired for doing their part for the religion.
However, some moderate voices rise occasionally and one such voice is that of websites such as AAFAQ.org. The Middle East Media Research Institute recently posted a English translation of a satirical poem titled “When.” Reformist Saudi author and journalist Wajeha Al-Huwaider lamented what she regards as the conditions in the Arab world. The poem that is a work in progress asks people for contributions isn’t necessarily a litany of rants but acceptance of certain harsh realities that torment Arab countries and keep them from finding a solution. The poem in its current form is:
“When you cannot find a single garden in your city, but there is a mosque on every corner - you know that you are in an Arab country…
“When you see people living in the past with all the trappings of modernity - do not be surprised, you are in an Arab country.
“When religion has control over science - you can be sure that you are in an Arab country.
“When clerics are referred to as ’scholars’ - don’t be astonished, you are in an Arab country.
“When you see the ruler transformed into a demigod who never dies or relinquishes his power, and whom nobody is permitted to criticize - do not be too upset, you are in an Arab country.
“When you find that the large majority of people oppose freedom and find joy in slavery - do not be too distressed, you are in an Arab country.
“When you hear the clerics saying that democracy is heresy, but [see them] seizing every opportunity provided by democracy to grab high positions [in the government] - do not be surprised, you are in an Arab country…
“When monarchies turn into theocracies, and republics into hybrids of monarchy and republic - do not be taken aback, you are in an Arab country.
“When you find that the members of parliament are nominated [by the ruler], or else that half of them are nominated and the other half have bought their seats through bribery… - you are in an Arab country…
“When you discover that a woman is worth half of what a man is worth, or less - do not be surprised, you are in an Arab country…
“When you see that the authorities chop off a man’s hand for stealing a loaf of bread or a penny, but praise and glorify those who steal billions - do not be too surprised, you are in an Arab country…
“When you are forced to worship the Creator in school and your teachers grade you for it - you can be sure that you are in an Arab country…
“When young women students are publicly flogged merely for exposing their eyes - you are in an Arab country…
“When a boy learns about menstruation and childbirth but not about his own [body] and [the changes] it undergoes in puberty - roll out your prayer mat and beseech Allah to help you deal with your crisis, for you are in an Arab country…
“When land is more important than human beings - you are in an Arab country…
“When covering the woman’s head is more important than financial and administrative corruption, embezzlement, and betrayal of the homeland - do not be astonished, you are in an Arab country…
“When minorities are persecuted and oppressed, and if they demand their rights, are accused of being a fifth column or a Trojan horse - be upset, you are in an Arab country…
“When women are [seen as] house ornaments which can be replaced at any time - bemoan your fate, you are in an Arab country.
“When birth control and family planning are perceived as a Western plot - place your trust in Allah, you are in an Arab country…
“When at any time, there can be a knock on your door and you will be dragged off and buried in a dark prison - you are in an Arab country…
“When fear constantly lives in the eyes of the people - you can be certain that you are in an Arab country.”
I would love to hear from any readers who are living or have lived in Arab countries and share what they think of this poem.
by Patrix | on Friday, March 2nd, 2007 at 4:45 pm | 
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March 2nd, 2007 at 6:56 pm reply
Well as a matter of fact, I spent 17 years of my life in an Arab country (Bahrain). Thankfully it had around 30% Indian population and was easily the most liberal of the Middle east. Half a dozen Indian organizations were recognized by the government and allowed to exist. Yes, for an Islamic country they observed religious practices strictly but I rarely felt the religion infringe on my life in general. But well Bahrain might have been the exception, but countries like these show an alternative to the fundamentalist idea of governance. Not that I approve of theocracies in particular
March 2nd, 2007 at 7:56 pm reply
Piker, interesting to know about your Bahrain connection. Incidentally I have one too (Ash’s parents live there now) and I was in Bahrain in Dec’05.
There are few countries like Bahrain, U.A.E (Dubai at least) that are more liberal and more welcoming to outsiders. But sadly, the major Arab countries aren’t following their examples. After all, the influences of countries like Bahrain and Dubai isn’t much in the Arab world.
March 3rd, 2007 at 9:40 am reply
yeah, the above comments are right about uae and bahrain. but it’s not the same thing with other arab countries, especially the gulf countries. i am in saudi arabia and i know how true is each line in the poem.
March 3rd, 2007 at 12:10 pm reply
Deepdowne, thanks for dropping by. Saudi is probably the worst offender in the Islamic world and it is sad to see that no one (even Americans )want to state the obvious.
March 5th, 2007 at 11:36 am reply
Bahrain is the only country with a reasonably free press. The UAE, with a reasonably liberal society…this poem only tells half of how bad it really is. I have spent 17 years in the region– it is the single greatest threat to humanity and civilization in the world today. So sad, but true.
And I’d add: “When everyone says ‘inshallah’ but no one has any intention of using their talents as Allah wills…don’t get out of bed, you are in an Arab country.”
March 5th, 2007 at 2:53 pm reply
Damocles, Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Unfortunately I haven’t heard a single voice in disagreement with the cited poem. If things ring so true then why aren’t Arabs speaking up? Do they not want freedom?