The Arab World Must Choose its Future Soon

The time has almost come when the West will have to say to Free Libya, “We have done all we can. Now, it is up to you.”

In the Arab World, there are many such areas - Tunisia, Yemen, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Iran are facing off in a Sunni-Shi’ite tug of war for control of the Middle East. Only Egypt seems to be on the right track to independence and democratically self-determined government.

It is obvious that today there is a lack of clear focus in the Arab world.

What do its citizens want?

What are they willing to pay for democratic government?

What type of democracy will suit them best?

Who should be the leaders of the democrats?

What are the goals of the ruling families, except to stay in power and who really speaks for them?

What role will the ruling families have in the future?

Is it possible for the Sunnis and Shi’ites to live together in peace?

Does the Arab League have an independent and weighty voice in the wave of change sweeping over it member states?

These fundamental questions need to be addressed in a calm and open debate, so that all views can be heard and weighed. The debate cannot take place unless every Arab community of interests is willing to participate.

Most will say that Arabs are not well-suited to such an organized and comprehensive debate, that they are too absorbed in their own tribal and religious perspectives to come together, except for the most elemental and pressing of questions.

But, I believe it can and will be done - and now is the time.

Saudi Arabia and her king are certainly the most respected of all Arab leaders. King Abdallah has already started the process in his country, with his speech on the 18^th of March, but his announcements were principally economic in nature and directed to his citizens alone. King Abdallah needs to look up and out to encompass the rest of the Arab world. He must find a Shi’ite leader willing to take the huge risk of working with him to stabilize the Middle East. From that point, the larger debate can begin.

While the West and America can help with information and insights, they should not try to be part of the debate.

For too long, we have over-protected the Arab world, feeding it petrol-dollars and using it for our own security purposes. It is time to let them stand on their own and devise their own future. They are capable of great things if only we will free them to try.

There is an Arab proverb that says, “Only the tent pitched by your own hands will stand.”

The tent of the future Arab world must be pitched by Arabs.