The Gulf region is not in the best of states. Still, every possible scenario remains acceptable with the exception of one that points to the disintegration of a vital bloc that has symbolized the unity of its founding fathers for so long. These founders formed the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), much to the benefit of their citizens. This entity is not to be underestimated or discarded.
Many of the region’s citizens, nevertheless, agree that what has been achieved thus far is below the bloc’s collective potential. Most of us have that famous song about GCC unity, which goes “Our Gulf Is One, Our Nation Is One,” etched into our memories and continue to fervently wish for that dream to materialize.
Yes, political differences exist between countries much in the same way spats can arise between families. Yet there remains a bare minimum we have to agree on regardless of these differences.
The GCC has made, and continues to make, great, envy-worthy achievements. While neighboring countries spiral into economic recession, anarchy and chaos, GCC countries continue to enjoy tremendous development, stability and security.
This is precisely why the GCC will always remain a target.
Qatar remains a hot topic of much debate, whether internally or outside its borders. Still, we have to admit that Qatar’s experience symbolizes hard-earned success in the face of numerous challenges.
These achievements should be a source of pride among the average GCC citizen since the Gulf can no longer be stereotyped as a barren desert with oil wells, but a developmental haven with the individual at its core. Saudi Arabia, for instance, has invested in human development on a mass scale by giving a chance to 200,000 students, both men and women, to study abroad at the world’s most prestigious universities.
The United Arab Emirates, another highly successful model, transformed the image of the average GCC citizen into a modern, progressive individual and conveyed this message to the world loud and proud.
In short, GCC achievements belong to the region’s citizens and there is no room for anyone to meddle in a tightknit arena.
It is only natural for there to be political differences among nations and every state has the right to have its own independent policies and look after its own interests. Indeed, nations have their own sovereignty-related specificities. Yet when states become part of a unified political entity at will, these states become, to a certain extent, bound by common interest.
Qatar has adopted a stance that goes against the mainstream GCC narrative, which has had a notable effect on the progress of the bloc as a whole. This may, indeed, have been one of the most challenging periods in the history of the GCC bloc.
What is needed now is a wise and pragmatic political strategy to address the issues at hand. The GCC cannot be split into two camps because its citizens are all on a single boat whether they like it or not, sharing the same reality and fate.
As such, it would be a big mistake to allow this entity to perish.
The GCC was built by its founders with a futuristic, all-encompassing vision to achieve collective stability. It is way too painful to witness EU nations, with all their political differences and religious and economic disparities, not to mention a history of war and strife, unite under one entity that protects their common interests, while GCC citizens, most of whom come from tribes that are somehow related, cannot maintain a cohesive bloc.
The issue requires adopting a levelheaded, impartial approach that does not resort to indulging in self-righteousness and playing the blame game. The future of these nations is more important than settling individual scores. The citizens of the Gulf must realize that they have a historic chance to strengthen the GCC bloc, since crises bring with them opportunities.
Indeed, experience has taught us time and again that no matter how many times we disagree among ourselves, we must always revert to the core that holds us together.
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