As I write this on the afternoon of Day 3 of the World Economic Forum, the sun is out in full force. Not that it has raised the temperature, but the imposing mountain peaks that have been hiding behind thick fog are clearly visible in all their majestic glory. It is so amusing to watch the layers of snow melt from the treetops and trickle down as crystal clear droplets. The fir trees appear quite green now. It is as if nature is revealing a fresh coat on the landscape. Just the appearance of sun on the horizon is spiritually lifting. One might not feel the warmth from the outside, but from within the sun's rays are a source of great energy. It is all a state of mind.
Inside the Congress Center, the sessions at the forum are heating up. "Is the world close to tipping into an unstoppable cascade of proliferation of nuclear arms?" That was the topic of discussion last night in one important session. "One opinion, which I share, is that nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran are considerably more dangerous than nuclear weapons in the hands of North Korea," said moderator James F. Hoge, editor, Foreign Affairs Magazine, Council on Foreign Relations, US. Nobody expected him to say anything else. His designation said it all. He didn't mention Israel in his discourse. Why? Well, in his opinion Israel is the most civilized and most peaceful nation on earth. It is this nonsense that is dished out by Americans (not all but most of them) that leads to anger in the Muslim world. What is sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander.
In the same session, Mohamed M. El-Baradei of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted, and rightly so, that many questions remain about Iran's future intentions. No evidence has been found, he said, by the IAEA that the country's self-described peaceful nuclear program is aimed at weapons production. But there are certainly issues about Iran that concern the Gulf countries. Abdul Aziz O. Sager, chairman of the Dubai-based Gulf Research Center, said it was difficult to know what to believe about Iran. Before invading in 2003, the United States insisted there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. "We have to be careful about who we listen to," Sager added. At the same time, he observed, Iran is sending out the wrong signals in the region with talk about local hegemony and by testing missiles that can hit nearby countries. In this situation, he believes that Gulf nations may be forced to look at the nuclear option.
Last night the topic of discussion in the circle that we move in here in Davos was of course about the statement on women driving in Saudi Arabia by Princess Lolwah Al-Faisal, vice chair of the board of trustees at Jeddah's Effat College, at a session titled, "Rules for a Global Neighborhood in a Multicultural World." "What would you do, princess, if you were queen for a day? I won't tell anyone," asked the session's moderator Thomas Friedman of The New York Times. "First thing, I'd let women drive," Princess Lolwah said without batting an eyelid. The audience erupted in applause and laughter. As the applause died down, she added: "Or else (I would) have a great transportation system, which we don't have." Not many understood the implication of what she added. Those who are aware of the transportation system in the Kingdom knew exactly what she meant.
Her statement was picked up by the Western press. AP, Reuters, AFP - everybody ran a story and blew it out of proportions. What was missing in their reports, however, was something even more significant. Princess Lolwah emphasized the importance of young people. "On this panel we should have had young people talking about what they want, not what we want," she said. "Children and adolescents are now growing up with images of violence and death," she explained, adding that it is necessary to teach them about each other, to respect religion and preserve the earth.
The session also raised the question of how Muslims of different sects can live together in peace. This led to praise of Malaysia by Princess Lolwah. "We have to re-learn religion," she said. Doing so would erase sectarian friction. Finding a model nation for this is difficult, she said, but "Malaysia is the closest."
At the same session, former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami drew attention to what he called one of the great achievements of Western civilization: Democracy. The problem today, he said, arises from the pride that is a legacy of colonialism and exists among some Western politicians who believe that because they are leaders they have the legitimate right to do what they want. This, he said, has humiliated many in the world and sown hatred and misunderstanding that has resulted in violence. He condemned colonialism, unilateralism, pre-emptive wars and terrorism.
"There is very little neighborliness in the world today," said Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. "Both the strong and weak have resorted to violence and terror to find solutions to problems. Indeed, in many parts of this global neighborhood, death and destruction abound." The roots of the problem in Israel today, he said, lie in politics and the projection of power, not in religion or culture. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the single most important source of Muslim anger toward Israel and the West and must be resolved, he said. He called for Israel to abide by UN resolutions and withdraw to the 1967 borders. The world is often told that the Israeli-Palestinian problem is difficult to resolve because it is so complex. "I believe otherwise; the conflict remains unresolved because the powerful are not ready to enforce, and apply equally on all sides, the relevant resolutions of the United Nations." Once again a visionary Malaysian leader articulated what we all feel so strongly about. I went up to him, exchanged greetings and felt immensely honored. Who wouldn't feel that way?
