10: The present Arabic cultural scene

How would you assess the present Arabic cultural scene?

What names or approaches appeal to you, and seem to be not just a repetition of old doctrines?

I am not pessimistic about the present Arabic cultural scene, although the change is quite slow. The Arabic cultural scene is beginning to steer away from glorifying or condemning the politicians to a critical analysis of ourselves. During the early days of the Palestinian crisis, the mufti Amin Al-Hussaini said to a journalist who asked about the solution: "When the sword talks, let the pen be silent." Well, the sword has talked: there have been noises, and chaos, and coups d'état, wars and exchanges of accusations; the intellectual's voice has been quite low or even unheard. But after the Gulf disaster people no longer lapped it on the politicians; the intellectual has started to think differently: he begins to think of the social revolution. Some people did actually say, after the 1967 defeat, though in a whisper, that our defeat was not only military, it was also cultural. This is something that people learn from history. It is true now that culture is no longer the monopoly of innovators, like Al-Afghani and Muhammad Abdoh, and their disciples – it is rather more generalized and diffused; we do not now expect charismatic leaders; it is rather a general direction. An example of this is the establishment of the Centre for the Studies of Arab Unity, a centre that was not established by politicians, nor does it belong to any state – it is just a cultural establishment devoted to studies, contributed by thinkers and researchers. This centre has done some fine work in the production of thought and analysis; and it holds some serious symposia.

Anther establishment is the International Institute for Islamic Thought, which represents a healthy and well-guided effort. Some ingenious researches have been trained by this institute, and an affiliate of this institute is a college of Islamic social studies, where men and women are trained. Such organizations find some sure echoes in the Muslim World, slow but sure. Those organizations are functioning rather weakly, but they are taking root and increasing in strength and attracting more people. It is hoped that they will have a second and a third generation; they will also be in demand in the various channels of the mass media, for such channels compete in having competent thinkers and researchers debate topics of interest to the public. The public itself watches with eagerness, which is a very uplifting thing to see. The professional researchers will hopefully compete in handling the various political, social, and economic topics; indeed, things are accelerating and it is exhilarating to see that. There are of course many shortcomings, but there is reason to assert that there will be continuous improvement in understanding and performance.

We find some people who begin to monitor all those changes, to collect data and make statistics, and that is certainly a heartening thing to see. And as for democracy, which is not as yet a common subject for discussion, it does take root in the minds of people: that is reflected in the frequent mention of the other's right, the multiplicity of perspectives, and the freedom of opinion. Such expressions and terms are beginning to proliferate and take shape, with their underlying concepts. There is movement in this; there is growth. It is no longer possible to prevent the ideas from spreading, for ideas have their inherent penetrative power, that no barriers can hinder their growth, and the exchange of information is on the increase day by day.

It is a pleasure to watch all that; the book exhibitions in all Arab capitals are also a rejoice to all those concerned. So also is the exchange of publications, lecturers, and researchers and, we may add, the progress of Arab art, and television serialized plays, whose producers compete in being more genuine, creative and modern. It is true that there are serious drawbacks in all that, but things are improving all the time, with sure paces. Things are changing apace. It will not be long before we begin to reestablish the old contacts and harmony; it will soon be possible to say, after effective intercourse is established, that we are not going to fall apart any more. Things seem to be occurring even without words, which is the way circumstances necessitate; new and different relationships are a necessity now, and even when something is apparently repeated, it bears a new significance. That is because the rate of change in the world is so swift that it would not wait for the idle. Conventional repeated behaviours are no longer tolerated, even in the domain of politics.

The new language is beginning to be heard, though in whispers at present. An example of this is a declaration by a certain Algerian minister who announced after the elections: "We have lost the elections, but won democracy;" and though it is not yet true that we have won democracy, such words are new and not just a repetition of older statements. That is creativity and development, and it promises a lot of good.

And when Prince Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, the Saudi minister of defense, declares in Washington: "Nations have wishes that cannot be ignored any longer," he is not just repeating old clichés, nor is it without significance. It is development which is speaking in those declarations.

Similarly, a Jordanian high-ranking official says: "Why is it that when we respond to our nation's wishes they count that extremism and regression, while if they respond to the wishes of their nations they count this as a human value, a progress and an advance towards ideals." Such declarations are so rare to hear, although they usually get lost among lots of noisy bedlam and the exchange of condemnations. The Arab World and the Muslim World cracked and had rifts as a result of the two Gulf wars; both the oppressed and the oppressors started to review their accounts.

We shall have to adapt to the changes of history; and this phenomenon is a universal one, true anywhere in Africa or Asia or South America. The world is being born au nouveau, with all the agony and hopes that attend a new birth.