Nino Jose Heredia/Gulf News
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
ECONOMIC, social and political changes are the key factors behind the development of state and society.
Change will not be prevented, as it is the norm of life, no matter how strong defendants of the past may be.
Sociologists believe that the world is in a continuous state of change, and has always been. Even old Greek and Roman civilisations admitted this fact.
Change and development require a visionary leadership, which understands political and economic changes, and their significance.
Since the United Arab Emirates is an oil-producing country, its leadership should focus on the post-oil stage, when the oil resources would inevitably run out.
The nation should be ready to cope with this stage through realistic vision and proper mechanisms that must be prepared from now.
Radical political changes have taken place in the UAE and there is no way to turn back the clock. Obstacles cannot be used as a pretext to delay the new stage of development, as such development is a must to keep pace with global changes.
Nations and peoples are not able to cope with inactive political regimes, or those who believe that it is possible to stop the wheel of progress.
Global social, political and scientific changes, which happened in the last century, indicate that scientific mentality now controls decision-making centres in the world.
This was reaffirmed by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who called for change, and said that those who are not willing to change will be changed.
Shaikh Mohammad's futuristic vision for Dubai as an international hub keeps a delicate balance between modernity and the city's Arab and Islamic identity.
Responding to its leadership's call, the UAE was racing against time to keep pace with the world's rapid develop-ment.
Those who stand in the way of development will remain in the shadow, especially that the oil stage will not last forever, and time is not merciful towards those who attempt to hinder progress.
Ever since the 1930s, the UAE has been adapting to change especially with the support of the founding fathers of the UAE since the 1960s.
All innovative ideas, prosperous projects and bold moves were viewed by traditionalists as uncalculated adventures that may lead to disastrous consequences.
However, the leaders who have the ability to foresee the future and have the strong will and determination, stood firm in the face of those tendencies, and succeeded in rising to the challenge of modernity, thus proving that it did not necessarily cause a division in society.
All Gulf Cooperation Council peoples have proved their ability to accept others and interact with them, while preserving their identity and heritage, which protects people of the younger generation from falling into the web of self-destruction whether through hazardous habits such as abuse of drugs, or being brain washed by religious fundamentalism.
This has happened to other nations such as Afghanistan, where the religious-political alliance destroyed the society in the name of religion.
Dubai has always been a symbol of peaceful coexistence and interfaith tolerance and will remain so under the visionary leadership of Shaikh Mohammad.
Dr Mohammad Abdullah Al Mutawa is a professor of sociology at UAE University, Al Ain.Gulf News
Change will not be prevented, as it is the norm of life, no matter how strong defendants of the past may be.
Sociologists believe that the world is in a continuous state of change, and has always been. Even old Greek and Roman civilisations admitted this fact.
Change and development require a visionary leadership, which understands political and economic changes, and their significance.
Since the United Arab Emirates is an oil-producing country, its leadership should focus on the post-oil stage, when the oil resources would inevitably run out.
The nation should be ready to cope with this stage through realistic vision and proper mechanisms that must be prepared from now.
Radical political changes have taken place in the UAE and there is no way to turn back the clock. Obstacles cannot be used as a pretext to delay the new stage of development, as such development is a must to keep pace with global changes.
Nations and peoples are not able to cope with inactive political regimes, or those who believe that it is possible to stop the wheel of progress.
Global social, political and scientific changes, which happened in the last century, indicate that scientific mentality now controls decision-making centres in the world.
This was reaffirmed by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who called for change, and said that those who are not willing to change will be changed.
Shaikh Mohammad's futuristic vision for Dubai as an international hub keeps a delicate balance between modernity and the city's Arab and Islamic identity.
Responding to its leadership's call, the UAE was racing against time to keep pace with the world's rapid develop-ment.
Those who stand in the way of development will remain in the shadow, especially that the oil stage will not last forever, and time is not merciful towards those who attempt to hinder progress.
Ever since the 1930s, the UAE has been adapting to change especially with the support of the founding fathers of the UAE since the 1960s.
All innovative ideas, prosperous projects and bold moves were viewed by traditionalists as uncalculated adventures that may lead to disastrous consequences.
However, the leaders who have the ability to foresee the future and have the strong will and determination, stood firm in the face of those tendencies, and succeeded in rising to the challenge of modernity, thus proving that it did not necessarily cause a division in society.
All Gulf Cooperation Council peoples have proved their ability to accept others and interact with them, while preserving their identity and heritage, which protects people of the younger generation from falling into the web of self-destruction whether through hazardous habits such as abuse of drugs, or being brain washed by religious fundamentalism.
This has happened to other nations such as Afghanistan, where the religious-political alliance destroyed the society in the name of religion.
Dubai has always been a symbol of peaceful coexistence and interfaith tolerance and will remain so under the visionary leadership of Shaikh Mohammad.
Dr Mohammad Abdullah Al Mutawa is a professor of sociology at UAE University, Al Ain.Gulf News