Arabs have not changed at all, despite the criticisms directed at them. They have become accustomed to glorifying customs and traditions, and have not changed their attitudes, despite the clear guidance in the Holy Quran: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Al-Ra’d: 11) Reports from research centers and ambassadors about the Arab countries they are accredited to reveal the extent of the backwardness of these countries, despite Allah urging them to seek knowledge.
Nearly 700 years ago, Abd al-Rahman Ibn Khaldun said, “Arabs only conquer the simple and triumph over the weak.” This sad truth should be accepted by everyone, including prominent figures, leaders, and even ordinary citizens. They must understand that time is unforgiving and that they will remain a harsh testing ground for a brutal world, which relentlessly pursues its interests at any cost. Everyone must understand that there are no permanent allies, only permanent interests. Reading the report by British Ambassador Jane Marriott, who served in Yemen from 2013 to 2015, on education in the Arab world presented to the British House of Commons years ago, I realized that we, as Arabs, are a nation that creates its defeats.
Ambassador Marriott stated, “The education system leads to shocking paradoxes among graduates. The smartest, top-tier students go to medical and engineering colleges. The second-tier graduates go to business and economics colleges, and become managers of the top-tier graduates. The third-tier students attend political science colleges and become the country’s politicians, thus ruling over the top-tier and second-tier graduates.” Those who fail to complete their education often leave school early to join the army or police. Once promoted to senior positions, they control politicians and economists, dismiss them and do as they please.
What is truly astonishing is that those who never attended school end up becoming members of parliament, mayors, and tribal leaders, with everyone obeying their commands! Arabs believe in polygamy, but fail to embrace multiculturalism, diverse languages, religions, civilizations, and freedoms. Ibn Khaldun said, “Arabs invite people to Paradise, but they are unable to invite an orphan to a banquet. They invite people to Paradise while their countries are full of beggars and shoe shiners.” Arabs disregard rationality, and cling instead to traditions, customs, and superstitions, which limits their ability for innovation and progress. Knowledge is the weapon with which humanity fights. As long as we remain in darkness, we have no hope for advancement.
Without learning and applying knowledge, we will remain at the bottom. The noose is tightening around the neck of the Syrian sectarian, the swindler, and intelligence agent. He will be forced to return the properties he looted to their rightful owners, including the hotel he stole from that humble Lebanese man. The cars, planes, and farms will be returned to their owners. His partner in crime, the intelligence agent, has already been arrested.
By Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times
