The Arab world unrest has become so popular in the last two months that even people around me who do not keep themselves updated, are aware. But what started it? Seems like a young guy in Tunisia set himself on fire, when the local police confiscated the fruits and vegetables he sold because he didn't have a permit. What is even more amazing is how one man's actions can create a ripple across nations.
This is like going back to the World War's history to check what triggered the war, and we find out that it was due to the assassination of some Archduke, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. The world has seen so much since then.
Coming back to the Arab world, it is quite surprising to see that people power does exist in this part of the world. One interesting aspect of the whole uprising of the "Jasmine revolution" as quoted in Economist's articles, is that the "Al-Qaida" angle is missing here. This part of the world is always torn between the political elite group appeasing the western powers and and old-school fanatics arousing religious extremism. A public sentiment rejecting both of these and voicing for a democratic government is something very new.
But another view, would be that the Arab world was a very peaceful region centuries ago with rulers who were tolerant to religious minorities and ethnic minorities like Jews and Romanis (gypsies). During the 1500 to the 1800s when Jews were persecuted all over Europe with mass murders, they led a peaceful life the Ottoman regime.
But in the last century, when most of the world had chosen between democracy and communism, the Arab world is torn between dictatorship and monarchy. The present events will determine, whats the future in this part of the world.
This is like going back to the World War's history to check what triggered the war, and we find out that it was due to the assassination of some Archduke, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. The world has seen so much since then.
Coming back to the Arab world, it is quite surprising to see that people power does exist in this part of the world. One interesting aspect of the whole uprising of the "Jasmine revolution" as quoted in Economist's articles, is that the "Al-Qaida" angle is missing here. This part of the world is always torn between the political elite group appeasing the western powers and and old-school fanatics arousing religious extremism. A public sentiment rejecting both of these and voicing for a democratic government is something very new.
But another view, would be that the Arab world was a very peaceful region centuries ago with rulers who were tolerant to religious minorities and ethnic minorities like Jews and Romanis (gypsies). During the 1500 to the 1800s when Jews were persecuted all over Europe with mass murders, they led a peaceful life the Ottoman regime.
But in the last century, when most of the world had chosen between democracy and communism, the Arab world is torn between dictatorship and monarchy. The present events will determine, whats the future in this part of the world.
2 comments:
Excellent observations. But there's no future I am afraid :) .. Especially once they run out of petroleum, in next 20 years or so .. its downhill all the way from then,. Unless sense prevails and they move away from religious rhetorics to modernity.
@Subho: Yup u are right. Every time there are protests for change, they are silenced with money or guns.
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