The situation of the Arab youth in most of the Arab countries is in a bad shape. The obstacles which the youth [singlepic id=140 w=320 h=240 float=right] are facing in their way to build the future are more than what they can confront. The continuous competition between the Arab governments and the oppositions results in putting boundaries for the interests and activities of the new generations. The governments decide what is allowed and what is forbidden.

The strategy which is followed in the most of the Arab world is to recruit the new generations to follow the existing leaders or join the oppositions which most of them are considered illegal. The older leaders fear of a cultural – political revolution made them use everything available to prevent any change. The lack of change in visions and thoughts resulted in creating a community which is filled with chaos and lack of knowledge.

The Arab community became a place which foreign cultures target. Nothing is made or developed by the Arabs themselves. The youth Arabs which are supposed to become the future leaders are prevented from developing any kind of thinking in any field. Instead they are attracted to the idea of living their life and forgetting about where they come from or what can they do to serve their country.

The problem is not in the young Arabs but indeed in their leaders. To be honest it is better to say that there are no leaders. Since the establishment of the Arab countries after the “end” of the colonial period, the Arabs found themselves controlled through their economy and their security. Even the Arab thought such as nationalism and Islam became non-negotiable. No discussion or development is allowed but instead the new generations were obliged to learn what the formers suggested. The individuals became the owners of the thoughts and the audience became followers. The formers and the leaders became great ones which no one can criticize. The former Arab leaders and thoughts did not change or develop.

Today the Arab world lacks the basic element which assures change and development in any country; the presence of the youth. The older leaders would prefer not to risk anything. According to them any new adventure is unnecessary since it may risk the national security of the Arab world and could even harm the Arab interests in the world. Although the Arab world is still living as a third world and under colonialism, the word revolution became forbidden. Any kind of revolution is refused: cultural, intellectual or any other kind.

The current oil and natural resources in the Arab world will not be available in the future. The Arabs will find themselves with nothing except for their great high buildings and their imported cars and clothes. The real resource which the Arab world can be sure of having for the end of time is the Arab youth and new generations.

I can say that what the Arab leaders should do today is to invest more in their new generations but my voice will join other former voices with no benefit. Instead I call the Arab youth to stand up and work for a change; a change not like the one we see in television shows such as Star Academy alone but a change that starts a revolution which is completely peaceful, a revolution in the mind. I am not asking to forget our past and history.

Instead I would recommend a look at the Arab’s situation in the past. However, the past will not be enough since we should look at the present to understand what we need to change then concentrate on the future in order to make a change…a change for the sake of those who will come after us.

Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad

A Palestinian-Arab living in East Jerusalem, Ziad graduated from College Des Freres in Jerusalem in 2003. Ziad finished his major in International Relations and English Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ziad is a former President of the Watan student movement at the university. He is interested in Middle Eastern political issues and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Founder of the Middle East Post and MEL (Middle East Future Leadership Network), he represents Palestinian youth at several international conferences.

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