In my last week’s column, I tried to highlight the role of the British media and how it represents and reflects the day-to-day issues of the British people. In just a week’s time, two incidents — a resignation and an example of cultural diversity — made me realize that our society still has a long way to go.
UK Secretary of Culture, Media and Sports Maria Miller came under enormous pressure over her alleged misuse of taxpayers’ money. She was accused of funding her parents’ home. The issue was thoroughly probed and she was issued a clean chit. Despite that she decided to quit her job. According to her, the row had been an “enormous distraction” from “the incredible achievements of this government,” and based on that she thought that resignation was the right thing to do.
After her resignation, Conservative MP Sajid Javid has been named the new secretary. Interestingly, Javid is a son of immigrants from Pakistan and yet he became the secretary of culture. I don’t wish to mince my words, I really felt like crying upon hearing this news. It reminded me of my schooldays in Saudi Arabia and the bright students at school from various countries who used to speak Arabic just like us (Saudis), yet they were referred to as foreigners. There are many foreigners who are born and raised in Saudi Arabia and refer to it as their “home,” but when they grow up they live in great insecurity and amid fears of deportation. When are we going to realize that cultural diversity adds value to a nation? Our society in Makkah is very rich in this regard because of people from different origins.
Cultural diversity makes a people more tolerant, open to new ideas and powerful. But still, we call them foreigners, what a shame! The other thing that brought tears to my eyes was the “resignation.” The amount she was accused of using to fund her parents’ house was something around 45,000 pounds and after investigations she was found innocent, yet she decided to quit. What is 45,000 pounds? How many billions are announced for development projects in our country that we never get to see? Yet the officials remain in their posh offices ordering coffee and asking about stock prices to see when they will have the funds to purchase their new holiday home in Spain. We have an old Arab saying, which means, “if you don’t fear punishment, there is no need for good manners,” and unless we have a clear system that fights corruption, we will never reach that level of self-discipline and high work ethics.
@ HatoonKadi
