Leaders in the Muslim world
Rushdi Siddiqui, The Malaysian Insider
“To lead people, walk beside them … As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate … When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!’” – Lao-tsu.
After the death of former political prisoner-cum-South African President, Mr Nelson Mandela, and the global outpouring, I asked two questions of myself:
1. Why are modern/globally known leaders like him, and “civil” rights activists like Mahatma Ghandi, Malcom X, and Martin Luther King become even larger than life upon their death? Is it because the sacrifice (of family), hardships (physical beatings and incarcerations), stamina (to endure), and courage to not only think (one in a generation people), say (voice of the voiceless), but, most importantly, “do” (manifest destiny) what we mere mortals cannot even imagine?
2. Are there such leaders in the Muslim world, and, if so, what are some of their attributes?
After visiting more than 20 plus Muslim-majority countries in the last 15 years, there are some high level takeaways that need require additional studies for a better understanding for future leaders. It may come down to vision, inclusion, will and means.
There are three leaders from the Muslim world that immediately come to mind that are revered by their people and respected outside their country, including one after his death.
-Sh. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE.
-Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien.
[To best understand the father-leader, look at the crown prince, and both Dubai and Brunei have sunrise futures!]
-The late Sh. Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of UAE, was probably one of the most influential and respected leaders in the Muslim world, he was a leader amongst leaders.
[During a 1997 interview with the NY Times, Sh Zayed replied to a question why there is no elected legislature, “…Why should we abandon a system that satisfies our people in order to introduce a system that seems to engender dissent and confrontation? Our system of government is based upon our religion and that is what our people want. Should they seek alternatives, we are ready to listen to them… Our doors are open for any opinion to be expressed, and this well known by all our citizens. It is our deep conviction that Allah has created people free, and has prescribed that each individual must enjoy freedom of choice…. Those in the position of leadership should deal with their subjects with compassion and understanding, because this is the duty enjoined upon them by Allah, who enjoins upon us to treat all living creatures with dignity…”]
What makes above “observation” interesting is in some Muslim-majority countries, where leaders are “democratically” elected, there appears to be more divisiveness, tribalism, race base and ethnic pandering, cronyism, etc., and the damage is to the hope of the people and country. The irony of the situation is economic statistics and financial benchmarks paint one story of the country, but may be more is needed to support (or contradict?) the top-line numbers, ratios and league tables.
To test the above, it would be interesting to undertake a study with the following hypothesis: is there a connection between “democracies in the Muslim world” and country capital flight, brain drain, control of media, judicial system, corruption, etc.? Furthermore, where are the people and money landing?
Obviously, it’s not meant to say or imply that democracy does not work, it works, but democracy is about substance, enabling infrastructure of transparency (media), accountability (judiciary) and responsibility (check and balances), and not cosmetic form. Furthermore, true democracy is a one way road ahead, and can never be rolled back, but may encounter ‘growing pains’ road blocks.
But, democracy cannot be “cut and pasted” as it’s green shoots eventually become deep roots, but it’s an evolutionary process. The law of unintended consequences is the most powerful headwind of fast tracking democracy in countries/people with history of “strong” leaders. The Muslim world has examples of outsiders imposing their views of democracy after liberation, but actually becoming vicarious occupiers!
Query: Should democracy have a customized definition according to geography, history, culture and religion? Today, western democracy is well known, but is there an eastern democracy?
