UAE | Education

We must embrace knowledge if Arab world is to progress

It is no longer a secret that the gathering, creating and imparting of knowledge in Arab and Islamic countries is pitiful.

  • By Najla Al Rostamani, Associate Editor
  • Published: 23:02 October 28, 2007
  • Gulf News

Dubai: It is no longer a secret that the gathering, creating and imparting of knowledge in Arab and Islamic countries is pitiful.

But today, as we embark on a century whose future will be governed by those who produce, manage, and engage in meaningful production of knowledge, the opportunity for the region to be part of this future is still attainable.

How the region deals with knowledge determines where it will stand in the coming decades, and what identity it will assume, to how it relates to itself internally, and how it engages with the rest of the world. In other words, the extent of how we manage our state of knowledge will govern where we stand in the future.

Hasn't the time truly come to address this important aspect of how the Arab and Islamic world treats knowledge?

Perhaps it is within this context that the speech by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai at the opening of the Knowledge Conference, be perceived. The call for a rejuvenation of knowledge by the Arab and Islamic world is serious in its attempt, as much as promising in its call.

Innovation

But why should the region be even slightly concerned with the status of its knowledge? Why should it even be bothered by how its philosophers, writers, poets, scientists, artists, intellectuals, publishers and other producers of knowledge are treated, perceived and dealt with?

It is true that historically the region was capable of contributing to human civilisation only when this particular group of knowledge producers was given the freedom, the trust, and capacity to innovate and participate in the development of their societies. Enabling creativity to thrive has assured the Arab and Islamic world an unprecedented level of achievement in the fields of science, arts, culture and literature.

The region excelled because it was receptive when it came to innovation, welcoming when it came to thought, and experimental when it came to ideas. This approach was applicable to both the knowledge that was produced within its boundaries, as well as to that produced in other regions, cultures, and civilisations.

But is it realistic to call on a revival in seeking knowledge after so long a time of ignorance and underdevelopment? Is the call built on an illusion? Based on the impossible? Could the Arab and Islamic world really be at the forefront once again? And how important is this endeavour?

The bitter truth is that there is no choice except to embrace such an undertaking as modern times compels it to take such a course. This is because the Arab and Islamic world cannot afford to be entrapped with the dangers that are brought about by extremism, with the term being defined as narrowness in looking at different views, perception of life in general, and the development of societies.

Otherwise, is it reasonable that in the Arab world today, there are no less than 65 million illiterates, two-thirds of whom are women? Is it reasonable that no less than 10 million children between the ages of 6 to 15-years-old are out of school? Is it reasonable that a bare 0.6 per cent of the population uses the internet? And is it reasonable that the vast majority of the Muslim world still lives in poverty?

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

Related Articles

  1. Mohammad reveals House of Wisdom

    Mohammad reveals House of Wisdom

    Mohammad announces new House of Wisdom

  2. Huge push for knowledge sector

    Huge push for knowledge sector

  3. House of Wisdom since the era of Abbasid empire

    House of Wisdom since the era of Abbasid empire

    House of Wisdom since the era of Abbasid empire

  4. Full text of Shaikh Mohammad speech

    Full text of Shaikh Mohammad speech

    Full text of Shaikh Mohammad speech

  5. 'Strive for culture of invention'

    'Strive for culture of invention'

    'Strive for culture of invention'

  6. Optimism 'helps overcome trouble'

    Optimism 'helps overcome trouble'

  7. UAE's success 'can be achieved in other states'

    UAE's success 'can be achieved in other states'

  8. Foundation is unparalleled in capacity building initiatives

    Foundation is unparalleled in capacity building initiatives

    Foundation is unparalleled in capacity building initiatives

More from UAE Education

  1. Emirati students in US set to rise

  2. No friends of mother Earth

  3. Tussle on for tertiary students

  4. The Americans are coming to town

All articles in Education

More from UAE

Gulf News
Popular in UAE
Living in untidy homes
Have your say

Living in untidy homes

Do you think that people who live in untidy homes have bad character?

Latest news
Community Reports

More from Community Reports

Weather

More from Weather