.The Sun and the Wind

There are many people out there, in fact the majority, who condone the actions of the muslim world against Denmark- most noticebly the embargo on Danish products. Before we addres this issue we need to acknowledge some factors; going along with the main-stream does not mean one is right, and blameing a government for the actions or lack thereof of its people is futile. We all agree that as arabs, muslims, middle easterners etc we are a people charactarized in general as overtly emotional, whether we are acting on the level of the state or the indiviual. However, if we so strongly believe in what is happening then we are certainly going about it in the wrong manner. Emotional, intuitive and completly without a sense of logic or foresight.

This is not the first time this has happened. We all recall the oil embargo of the 70's. Yes, it worked in the short run, but the long term effects are amongst others, the Wests realization of the need to cut dependancy on middle eastern oil. the hastening of the development of other sources of energy, and if you look into recently released british papers, some of the Western powers were counting invasion of some of the gulf states as an option.today, the arabs dominate only 40 percent of the world oil market as compared with the 70 percent held in 1973.

I am not saying that the west is the best, or that they are angels and we are devils, I am not makeing and argument for anybody. This is politics ,and policitics to me is the logical and impersonal representative strategy for a large body of people and their interests. We as muslims need to consider the ramifications of our own actions as a people and a race. We need to stop the tit for tat mentality and the 'if they can do it so can we ' apprach and rather begin to adopt a more mature and aware response to our dilemmas.

We cannot deny that we are no longer world leaders in anything. We can no longer deny that we are backward and third world. We can no longer deny that there are stronger powers in the world and there is an order whether we like it or nor. The fact remains, we need to find a way to deal with these matters that are far from emotional and forceful. Just as the Sun beats the Wind in Aesop's Fables - "The North Wind and the Sun" shouldnt we adopt a less forceful approach.

If we continue as we do we may we will get an apology or two. but in the long run, markets, companies, and indivuals will think twice. thrice. before setting foot in our region. I know i wouldnt risk it. We can head-butt and continue to say we are right and they are wrong. and that may be true. but the fact remains that there needs to be another way of approaching this and other future conflicts if we hope to remian and integrated part of the world, and its cultures and not be rejected.

So, are we in need of more hate and distance, or is time for a change from our side?