Today is the birthday of our prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him), although he was deceased more than 1400 years ago his legacy is still with us today. Whether, you believe he was a great man or disagreed with his vision, his teachings are followed by around 1.5 billion people that live all around the world. The early Muslim philosophers live Averroes were able to preserve the Greek and Roman philosophies. Muslim mathematicians translated the decimal system from Sanskrit , thus benefiting humanity. Hassan Ibin al Haytham were one of the few scientist who focused and refined empirical research.
Currently, the Muslim is in a predicament economically, politically and socially. Muslim countries are the poorest the world. Politically 50% of the world refugees are Muslims. If one looks at the Arab world as a microcosm of the Muslim world, there are 53 news papers to 1000 Arab citizens showing the lowest information media to population ratios. There are 4.4 books translated to a million Arab, furthermore Arabs spend less than 0.2% of their gross national production on research and development. There are also 371 Arab scientists per million. It seems that we Muslims have forgotten the first command that God have ordered him prophet, “read”. Islam has encouraged people to analyze and think, yet governments have abused the religion by aligning themselves with orthodox theologians than encourage the status-quo helping to maintain government control and stifle dissent.
The problem is much more complicated than it looks. Creating a knowledge society that encourages free thought requires freedom of expression so that those thinkers do not fear prosecution and creates a meaningful exchange of ideas. Good education systems that focuses on scientific research and develop the critical thinking of students, is required. A free media that is accessible so that scholars can exchange information and also interact with the public is important.
Many would claim that Muslims do not have the resources to build a knowledge based society. However, I believe that ignorance is the reason behind our poverty. Muslims waste most of their resources on consumption and importation of technology rather than innovation. Most governments and companies attempts to focus on industrial productions were based on imported factories, these factories eventually became outdated and new machines had to be re-imported. Hence, technology importation led to a spiral of technology importation and further waste in resources.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Dragon's problems
Many believe that democracy and freedom play no role in the building of nations, some even point to the Chinese model of developments as an example. China is communist elite have been holding to power, while at the same time its economy is leaping by giant strides.
However, I believe that many analysts are mistaken in their assessment of China's growth. The whole country's economy is based on manufacturing products designed in the United States and Europe due to its low labor costs. China is artificially making it products cheaper by devaluation of its currency. Without freedom, there is little room for innovation and the creation of the knowledge based economy. Free minds are active creating solutions and are more dynamic in facing problem.
Many assume that the situation in China is static, but one has to look closely around to see that China is becoming more open to the world and gradually allowing political freedom. There are set back and government backlash against the oppositions. There are also ethnic problems between the Chinese Hans and the Igur Muslim minority, but the government now is acting in more restrained fashion in comparison on how they dealt with the student protests in Tiananmen Square.
Government officials are worried about political stability so that China could lure investors. Nevertheless, what happens in China does not stay in China, due to the development of digital media technology, a video can be shot discreetly from one's mobile camera sent around the world using the Internet and via multi-media messages. Although, the government has tried its best to sensor search engines and ban websites, many are able to overcome these filters. For example a Chinese student invented software called Free-gate to bypass the governments ban on Wikipedia.
Accountability is one of the cornerstones of democracy, ideally government officials are held accountable in front of the people that are elect them. For a country to develop, government officials need to be proactive agents of the people, taking their best interest at heart, balancing the opportunity costs of development with the environmental impact. However, the Chinese officials care only about economic growth, thus making China one of the world largest polluters. This is going to have a massive impact on human health and will also replete the natural resources for the next generations of Chinese.
Today in an increasingly competitive economies, the situations change very fast decision makers at the local level need to act fast in an ever more complex world. In this complex world, to remain competitive governments have to become more agile and less decentralized regional and local government officials will have to play more key roles in the country future. Yet,it is important for Beijing to watch its path and choose for itself
However, I believe that many analysts are mistaken in their assessment of China's growth. The whole country's economy is based on manufacturing products designed in the United States and Europe due to its low labor costs. China is artificially making it products cheaper by devaluation of its currency. Without freedom, there is little room for innovation and the creation of the knowledge based economy. Free minds are active creating solutions and are more dynamic in facing problem.
Many assume that the situation in China is static, but one has to look closely around to see that China is becoming more open to the world and gradually allowing political freedom. There are set back and government backlash against the oppositions. There are also ethnic problems between the Chinese Hans and the Igur Muslim minority, but the government now is acting in more restrained fashion in comparison on how they dealt with the student protests in Tiananmen Square.
Government officials are worried about political stability so that China could lure investors. Nevertheless, what happens in China does not stay in China, due to the development of digital media technology, a video can be shot discreetly from one's mobile camera sent around the world using the Internet and via multi-media messages. Although, the government has tried its best to sensor search engines and ban websites, many are able to overcome these filters. For example a Chinese student invented software called Free-gate to bypass the governments ban on Wikipedia.
Accountability is one of the cornerstones of democracy, ideally government officials are held accountable in front of the people that are elect them. For a country to develop, government officials need to be proactive agents of the people, taking their best interest at heart, balancing the opportunity costs of development with the environmental impact. However, the Chinese officials care only about economic growth, thus making China one of the world largest polluters. This is going to have a massive impact on human health and will also replete the natural resources for the next generations of Chinese.
Today in an increasingly competitive economies, the situations change very fast decision makers at the local level need to act fast in an ever more complex world. In this complex world, to remain competitive governments have to become more agile and less decentralized regional and local government officials will have to play more key roles in the country future. Yet,it is important for Beijing to watch its path and choose for itself
Saturday, December 12, 2009
What can we learn from the British Mistakes
Humans were created as intelligent creatures that learn from their mistakes and repeat their success. Humans did this by learning from their history. However, some mistakes regardless are timeless and repeated through history. One of the main ones is the invasion of Afghanistan, no American politician have tried to take the dust off their history books and learn about the failed British occupation, or even look at how the Afghans became the Lass nail in the USSR coffin.
The British have invaded Afghanistan in 1838 to support the corrupt ruler Shah Shuja who enjoyed negligible local support. The soviets in 1979 have put a series of puppet presidents under their rule. American is doing the same mistake by their support of Karazi. He is seen by his compatriots no different from Shuja or the soviet puppet Najibu-allah.
The Afghan campaign was lead by sir William Hay Macnaghten who viewed the Afghans as savages that need western values of democracy peace and prosperity. Macnaghten failed not only to see that the Afghan culture that is built on conflict and bloodshed , he tried to create a modern western democracy and impose western values. Today, America is committing the same mistake trying to impose democracy in a fragmented country that has a culture of the rule of the strongest. Afghans tribesmen see Karazi as a weak ruler who cannot live without America, they see Karazi acceptance of a rerun as a sign of weakness.
When Macnaghten came to Afghanistan, he wanted motivate his soldiers, thus he allowed them to bring their wives and servants from India. He also tried to build theatres in Kabul and encourage the spread of western culture. This further polarized the Afghani public opinion and made them feel that those invaders are imposing their own culture. Today, the Americans are trying to support Afghan women rights and education for young girls, which is galvanizing the Afghans who are afraid that America came to force them to change.
Macnaghten was not provided with enough forces to overwhelm the strong Afghan tribes, because the British want to keep the campaign’s expenses down. Today, Mac- crystal asked for 140,000 additional troops, but Obama sent him 70,000, half the required number. Today, Afghan war-lords still as corrupt as ever and still they demand to be paid, Macnaghten died because he decreased the amount of money he paid to the loyal warlords. It is prudent to try to build an Afghan army and buy the support of the war-lords if American want to rule.
Finaly, One has to remember that out of 16000 British, only one returned home alive Dr William Brydon. The stakes are high and it is not an easy country to rule. But once, under Americans establish their dominance , it can provide a great strategic advantage bordering the former Soviet states, Iran, China, Pakistan and close to India and Russia backyard .
The British have invaded Afghanistan in 1838 to support the corrupt ruler Shah Shuja who enjoyed negligible local support. The soviets in 1979 have put a series of puppet presidents under their rule. American is doing the same mistake by their support of Karazi. He is seen by his compatriots no different from Shuja or the soviet puppet Najibu-allah.
The Afghan campaign was lead by sir William Hay Macnaghten who viewed the Afghans as savages that need western values of democracy peace and prosperity. Macnaghten failed not only to see that the Afghan culture that is built on conflict and bloodshed , he tried to create a modern western democracy and impose western values. Today, America is committing the same mistake trying to impose democracy in a fragmented country that has a culture of the rule of the strongest. Afghans tribesmen see Karazi as a weak ruler who cannot live without America, they see Karazi acceptance of a rerun as a sign of weakness.
When Macnaghten came to Afghanistan, he wanted motivate his soldiers, thus he allowed them to bring their wives and servants from India. He also tried to build theatres in Kabul and encourage the spread of western culture. This further polarized the Afghani public opinion and made them feel that those invaders are imposing their own culture. Today, the Americans are trying to support Afghan women rights and education for young girls, which is galvanizing the Afghans who are afraid that America came to force them to change.
Macnaghten was not provided with enough forces to overwhelm the strong Afghan tribes, because the British want to keep the campaign’s expenses down. Today, Mac- crystal asked for 140,000 additional troops, but Obama sent him 70,000, half the required number. Today, Afghan war-lords still as corrupt as ever and still they demand to be paid, Macnaghten died because he decreased the amount of money he paid to the loyal warlords. It is prudent to try to build an Afghan army and buy the support of the war-lords if American want to rule.
Finaly, One has to remember that out of 16000 British, only one returned home alive Dr William Brydon. The stakes are high and it is not an easy country to rule. But once, under Americans establish their dominance , it can provide a great strategic advantage bordering the former Soviet states, Iran, China, Pakistan and close to India and Russia backyard .
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
What is love-----
is love a problem without a solution
is it a conflict that needs diffusion
is it the heart that you tore
is it the cross that I bore
is it a sin that can not be forgiven
is it in hell or in heaven
--------------------
love is life, it is sweet and sour
love is not a meal to devour
love requires serious commitment
Love is hard work after hours
Love is not a war with a winner and a loser
love is a partnership so be a wise chooser
is it a conflict that needs diffusion
is it the heart that you tore
is it the cross that I bore
is it a sin that can not be forgiven
is it in hell or in heaven
--------------------
love is life, it is sweet and sour
love is not a meal to devour
love requires serious commitment
Love is hard work after hours
Love is not a war with a winner and a loser
love is a partnership so be a wise chooser
Thursday, October 1, 2009
It does'nt work everywhere
Importing technology and foreign systems of Government not only encourages meaningful exchange of cultures, but also provides new ideas and solutions from a different perspective. Some might see that the core nations are extending its hegemony on peripheral nations by imposing its own version of development based on democracy and capitalism. Many are weary about foreign influence on native culture and see it as a new form of colonialism.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that democracy is product of diverse culture and civilizations from the ancient Greco-Roman tradition to the Islamic concept of shuraah and to the American declaration of independence and the British Magna Carta. Many diverse philosophers have contributed to democratic ideals like Aristotle, Ibn- Rushed and Mill. No one can deny the cumulative nature of science across time and culture and how the language of science and technology is universal. International commerce was an intricate part of human development, since the silk road and the Arabic caravans.
However, it is not appropriate to impose a system or copy and exact system from outside. A system might work great in a social, economic and culture environment, but may not work in a different one. A good example is the west failure to impose its version of democracy on Iraq and Afghanistan. One has also observe the stark difference in American, British, French and Israeli democracy, each was successful because they were products of their environment and years of their citizens struggle to gain freedom and build institutions.
This should not be convenient excuse for totalitarian rulers to delay reforms and use foreign pressures as a means to rally popular opinion around the flag and delay reforms. Many Arab regimes unleash the media to accuse their political rivals of treason; this unfair play will ultimately backfire. Political oppression creates wide discontent and makes citizens less likely to defend the regime; one has to look at how Saddam's regime crumbled in front of American invasion and how different opposition parties allied themselves with the invaders because they were not able to take part in the political process.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that democracy is product of diverse culture and civilizations from the ancient Greco-Roman tradition to the Islamic concept of shuraah and to the American declaration of independence and the British Magna Carta. Many diverse philosophers have contributed to democratic ideals like Aristotle, Ibn- Rushed and Mill. No one can deny the cumulative nature of science across time and culture and how the language of science and technology is universal. International commerce was an intricate part of human development, since the silk road and the Arabic caravans.
However, it is not appropriate to impose a system or copy and exact system from outside. A system might work great in a social, economic and culture environment, but may not work in a different one. A good example is the west failure to impose its version of democracy on Iraq and Afghanistan. One has also observe the stark difference in American, British, French and Israeli democracy, each was successful because they were products of their environment and years of their citizens struggle to gain freedom and build institutions.
This should not be convenient excuse for totalitarian rulers to delay reforms and use foreign pressures as a means to rally popular opinion around the flag and delay reforms. Many Arab regimes unleash the media to accuse their political rivals of treason; this unfair play will ultimately backfire. Political oppression creates wide discontent and makes citizens less likely to defend the regime; one has to look at how Saddam's regime crumbled in front of American invasion and how different opposition parties allied themselves with the invaders because they were not able to take part in the political process.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The quest for the right job
Many of my former students, younger relatives and friends have asked me to choose a career for them. Most of them got disappointed when I tell them I do not know and it is for them to find out. One has to find his or her call and each person is unique; there is no silver bullet or a one size fits all answer.
To know what one wants, one has to engage in deep soul searching; I mean here being honest with oneself and being able to differentiate between real ambitions and faulty desires. One has to know what really makes them happy and enjoy life. Some people are thrill seekers, others prefer a predictable life, some enjoy offering others help, some want to make money, some want fame and prestigious few want to extend human knowledge.
Generally knowing the source of one joy could be translated into an array of careers, for example enjoying helping others could be in careers extending from health care to teaching. It is important to narrow one's choices by comparing the skill and knowledge required and the skills and knowledge that one has. This will narrow the choices, but it is important to know that even if one does not have the necessary skills and knowledge, one can always acquire them by going to school or get the training necessary if one has the will.
To make sure that you are in the right direction, it will a good idea to interview someone who likes their job and successful in it to know what it takes. It is a great idea if you were allowed to shadow them , follow them closely, this will give you a more realistic feeling of a typical day on the job and if you enjoy what you see them it may be the job for you. To make sure that you want this career try getting an internship to get closer look IE if you want to become a lawyer get a job as a law clerk or volunteer in a hospital to learn more about the work enviroment.
Finally, be ready to follow on your plans by getting the necessary education and training and try to excel in acquiring it to be the best you can be .
To know what one wants, one has to engage in deep soul searching; I mean here being honest with oneself and being able to differentiate between real ambitions and faulty desires. One has to know what really makes them happy and enjoy life. Some people are thrill seekers, others prefer a predictable life, some enjoy offering others help, some want to make money, some want fame and prestigious few want to extend human knowledge.
Generally knowing the source of one joy could be translated into an array of careers, for example enjoying helping others could be in careers extending from health care to teaching. It is important to narrow one's choices by comparing the skill and knowledge required and the skills and knowledge that one has. This will narrow the choices, but it is important to know that even if one does not have the necessary skills and knowledge, one can always acquire them by going to school or get the training necessary if one has the will.
To make sure that you are in the right direction, it will a good idea to interview someone who likes their job and successful in it to know what it takes. It is a great idea if you were allowed to shadow them , follow them closely, this will give you a more realistic feeling of a typical day on the job and if you enjoy what you see them it may be the job for you. To make sure that you want this career try getting an internship to get closer look IE if you want to become a lawyer get a job as a law clerk or volunteer in a hospital to learn more about the work enviroment.
Finally, be ready to follow on your plans by getting the necessary education and training and try to excel in acquiring it to be the best you can be .
Friday, August 28, 2009
Secularism and the popular misconception
Contrary to what many believe, secularism is not the denial of religion and it role in human life, it is just a separation between religion role in one's personal life and politics. A healthy society cannot function without ethical members observing morals and social rules. Religion provides a rich source of guidelines helping ethical behavior. Many studies have shown that religious people live a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life.
Nevertheless, religion should not be part of politics in a democratic society. Good political dialogue is based on free exchange of idea and free debate, thus any ideas are fallible and nothing in politics is scared. The use of religion will either lead to questioning religious symbols and dogmas, thus debasing and humiliating them, or will limit political debate for respect of religion. Putting people faith to questions at least anger people that may evolve in to sectarian conflicts and civil wars. Limiting political debate weakens democracy and the free exchange of ideas.
Applying religion as a source of legislation puts a group of small elites like Sheiks, Priests or Rabbis in charge and gives them absolute power. One can freely question ideas and laws proposed by politicians, but, it would be impossible to question someone claiming to represent God. One can hold humans accountable for their actions, but it is more difficult to question representatives of the Lord. This leads to oppression in his Almighty's name, since people with absolute power tend to abuse it. On the long run, society not only revolts against abusers of religion, but also against religion itself. Many Europeans countries that had Christianity imposed on them, have very militant anti-faith laws; for example France banning religious symbols in schools.
In addition, a good society should tolerate religious diversity and respects the freedom of faith for all its citizens. Hence, one faith could not be a source of legislation for a whole nation, because, it imposes religion of the majority on the minority. Some try to solve this problem by having multiple faiths as source of law, for example having Christian law apply on Christians, Jewish canon on Jews and Islamic Shariah on Muslims. Sudan is experimenting with this idea by applying Shariah on Muslims only and it is causing lots of problems. This is not only impractical, but also against the legal principle of uniformity within the law. It goes against fairness to cut someone's hand for stealing and put another in prison for the same crime.
Finally, religion is an individual choice and should be left to the individual. Democracy is rule of the majority by consensus, thus it is wise to separate between God's domain in the individual conscious and Cesar's domain of politics.
Nevertheless, religion should not be part of politics in a democratic society. Good political dialogue is based on free exchange of idea and free debate, thus any ideas are fallible and nothing in politics is scared. The use of religion will either lead to questioning religious symbols and dogmas, thus debasing and humiliating them, or will limit political debate for respect of religion. Putting people faith to questions at least anger people that may evolve in to sectarian conflicts and civil wars. Limiting political debate weakens democracy and the free exchange of ideas.
Applying religion as a source of legislation puts a group of small elites like Sheiks, Priests or Rabbis in charge and gives them absolute power. One can freely question ideas and laws proposed by politicians, but, it would be impossible to question someone claiming to represent God. One can hold humans accountable for their actions, but it is more difficult to question representatives of the Lord. This leads to oppression in his Almighty's name, since people with absolute power tend to abuse it. On the long run, society not only revolts against abusers of religion, but also against religion itself. Many Europeans countries that had Christianity imposed on them, have very militant anti-faith laws; for example France banning religious symbols in schools.
In addition, a good society should tolerate religious diversity and respects the freedom of faith for all its citizens. Hence, one faith could not be a source of legislation for a whole nation, because, it imposes religion of the majority on the minority. Some try to solve this problem by having multiple faiths as source of law, for example having Christian law apply on Christians, Jewish canon on Jews and Islamic Shariah on Muslims. Sudan is experimenting with this idea by applying Shariah on Muslims only and it is causing lots of problems. This is not only impractical, but also against the legal principle of uniformity within the law. It goes against fairness to cut someone's hand for stealing and put another in prison for the same crime.
Finally, religion is an individual choice and should be left to the individual. Democracy is rule of the majority by consensus, thus it is wise to separate between God's domain in the individual conscious and Cesar's domain of politics.
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