WE have been surveying Arab News readers asking for their predictions for the New Year. It’s clear that people fear that 2002 will not be any better than 2001. The majority of our respondents feel that 2002 will be filled with violence. People are very worried about the economy and many wonder how their families will survive in a protracted global recession. Not surprisingly, no one told us that they think politicians have the answers to the world’s woes. In fact, there is a definite trend for individuals to want to take action on their own. Young or old, rich or poor, Western or Eastern, the one wish that is on everyone’s lips is, "Please God, give us peace."
Aysha Yazbek, Lebanese: "I do not think that 2002 will be a good year, but if God would prove me wrong I would be grateful. Two nights ago, on Al-Jazeera’s ‘Bila Houdoud’ program, a Saudi was struggling to choose the right words that would not offend his country, while at the same time making a point about the social, religious and political issues that the country is facing. Not one piece of constructive advice came out of that show because no one could or would give a frank opinion. We know our problems. We keep bringing them to the eyes of the people. But who is there to listen, let alone act? For 2002, we need to at least discuss the difficult issues facing us in the Arab world — constructively, scientifically, objectively and publicly — without embarrassment or fear. That is the only way we can begin the work to change issues that matter to our souls and our communities. We also need to come to an internal peace with our social and religious beliefs. We are Muslims and we should be proud to be Muslims."
Yolly Mercado, Filipina: "Maybe I am overly optimistic but I want to believe that the New Year will be better. For the sake of my children I must believe that I will do better in my work so I will be able to give them everything. My husband and I need the global economy to stabilize so we can keep our jobs and help all the people who are depending on us. I cannot change the world but I can be good with my family, friends and others I meet. Maybe my example will encourage other people to be on their best behavior too."
Fahd Al-Sudairy, Saudi: "I think 2002 will be worse than 2001 because people are very apprehensive about the political situation globally and this will be reflected economically. I wish for peace for the entire world. Perhaps one way we can help achieve that is by not reading the political pages in newspapers and ignoring the comments of politicians and political pundits on the radio and television."
Neil Walker, British: "I don’t know if 2002 will be better or worse for Saudi Arabia, but it will definitely be different. The days when oil was selling for $37 a barrel are long gone. Now the average Saudi is very concerned about the economy. It is difficult for families to manage all their needs. I wish I had a crystal ball. Afghanistan is coming under control and the worst case scenarios are not coming to pass. However, what’s happening in Palestine, with Ariel Sharon taking American advice and solving the problems of the occupied territories in his own way, could happen too with India and Pakistan."
Durga Mani, Indian: "2001 has had so many calamities that it is hard to imagine that things could get worse. I don’t know what individuals can do but somehow we must try to repair the damage that has been done to all of us by the terrible tragedies of the past year. The economic downturn has been especially hard on most people. Perhaps the best thing that each of us can do in 2002 is to try to be fair and impartial with everyone we meet. We should make judgments after we know and understand people and situations — not before."
Basem Ewaiwi, Jordanian: "I believe that 2002 will be a year of recovery for the world. So many problems happened in 2001 and all nations and peoples have been hurt. It is unfathomable that people would not want to try to make 2002 a better year. We need to work for justice for all and live our lives as fully as possible — not simply exist on this planet."
Jerry Hurych, American: "There is no way 2002 will be any better than 2001. Western leaders do not understand the problems in the Middle East, except for British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and I don’t know what he can do to educate the others. In a speech given during a visit to Tehran, Iran, he stated, ‘I understand that one of the factors which helps breed terrorism is the anger which many people in this region feel at events over the years in Palestine.’ In a nutshell, that is the problem. If our Western leaders cannot understand the cause of the problems, how can they solve the problems in Palestine and Israel? I see things getting worse before they get better. I wish the United Nations would send a sufficient number of UN troops to the occupied territories to keep all the warring factions apart. An independent Palestinian state must be established as soon as possible to bring peace to the area. My New Year’s resolution is to work to educate my American friends back home as to how to bring peace to the Middle East."
Abdullah Al-Amer, Saudi: "I believe that 2002 will be worse than 2001. The Islamic world is in trouble. In the past at least the Muslim nations tried to act as one, but look at what has happened to us now. We don’t need to follow the Western models. It is time for us to look back and return to our own roots."
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(Throughout the week, Arab News will continue to feature our readers’ comments on the New Year.)