Obama represents a golden opportunity

Through the ages, there has always been a battle between good and evil. In the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church dominated the Western world, superstition prevailed over science and those who spoke out about their belief in science or disagreed with the church were tried and paid with their lives for it.

The church was the dominant power that controlled religion, education, arts, morals and politics, and those who did not acknowledge the pope as God's representative on earth and the Roman Catholic Church as the only true church were damned and excommunicated.

Yet, there was a determination among people to fight against all forms of injustice, slavery and oppression, and for this they were even willing to sacrifice their lives. This was what led to the spread of freedom all over the world.

But the suffering of mankind never stopped. The ongoing struggle between the forces of darkness and the forces of good provides evidence of man's rejection of all forms of suppression and tyranny, perpetrated by every era's dominant powers.

Despite this nonstop battle and the magnitude of the sacrifices involved, goodness remains stronger than evil, and the voices of people who struggle for their rights and freedom remain stronger than those of the dark forces. Those who know their history understand that the struggle for freedom and independence is always successful - no matter how long it may take.

Throughout history, the media and money, as well as poets and preachers, have played a considerable role in shaping public opinion. But there have always been good and idealistic people, who defend their rights and struggle for their freedom no matter how big the sacrifices are. The battle between the forces of enlightenment and those of darkness will continue.

It is well known that society has developed differently in the East and the West.

Nevertheless, there is a correlation between all civilisations, such as the Iraqi Sumerian, Egyptian Pharaonic and the Arab Islamic civilisations. This means that there are commonalities between civilisations, since they are a product of human mentality.

So man remains stronger than circumstances and can overcome them no matter how difficult and complex they are, and whatever oppression and suppression he may face.

This explains the rebellion led by Spartacus in Greece, and the African American struggle in the United States, as well as the French and Algerian revolutions, among many others, that were launched by man in his desire for freedom.

These battles were a symbol of the ongoing struggle between different forces. They were turning points in the modern history of mankind, and marked new eras of scientific, social, economic and political development.

Man continued to look for salvation in religion, nationalism, internationalism or tribalism. The religious struggle is a form of the ongoing struggle and throughout history many disputes and wars have had their origins in religious strife.

The religious struggle has re-emerged in recent history and the 'war on terror' is ultimately based on this. Exporting crises by adopting the policy of divide and rule is one of the outcomes of the religious struggle.

However, each age has its empires with new forces emerging to replace the old ones. This happened when European civilisation emerged stronger after the decline of the Arab-Islamic civilisation following the end of the First World War.

After the Second World War, the US emerged as a new superpower supported by its powerful economy and devastating military capacity and weapons arsenal, whose impact is still seen in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where atomic bombs were dropped. The British Empire - on which the sun was never supposed to set - collapsed, and Britain became a follower of the new major power, the US.

Despite this gloomy picture of wars and struggles throughout human history, there is always hope. And here I feel optimistic that the long running Arab-Israeli struggle can be resolved.

The major powers, especially the US, should contribute to resolving this issue, which has led to the creation of many problems and tensions in the world, so as to pull the rug from under the feet of all those who have exploited the Palestinian cause in order to achieve their political goals at the expense of real development in the Arab and Muslim worlds.

Having realised that it is in his great nation's interests to achieve peace in the world, US President Barack Obama is working sincerely to promote the Palestinian peace process.

But the Zionist movement has also realised that Obama is a fully aware of its designs to dominate the world - especially with the extreme radical right in power, represented by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The question that arises here is: Do the Arabs - and Fatah and Hamas in particular - realise that Obama represents an opportunity that should not be missed?

History will not spare those who do not make use of genuine opportunities.

Dr Mohammad Abdullah Al Mutawa is a professor of Sociology at UAE University, Al Ain.

I didn't know well who is Barack Obama but I think he can firmly open the door for the two sides (He's serious and not bias) to reconcile and to live side by side peacefully
Andres Mana-ay
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 14, 2009, 14:13