This article was first published in Sail e-Magazine February 2012 issue
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1891
As the Arab world began to see reform last year and new legislative and authoritative parties came into the picture, significant budgets were allocated towards the improvement of services. These services include medical benefits, educational standards, access to better platforms for employment, and an overall increase in the quality of life for citizens. Consequently, teams and task forces were created within executive authorities to employ these budgets into sustainable efforts that quickly and strategically benefit the nation.
What surprises me with all of this is that the expectations of the leading parties who allocated these budgets were not managed appropriately let alone managed at all. Coming from a “yes” culture, the signals sent from the executive authorities to the leaders of these nations painted a picture of ultimate success with no challenges and best of all the achievement of the goals in a very unrealistic time frame. As the reality becomes more apparent, these executive authorities are losing credibility, getting their budgets slashed, and being criticized for over-spending.
I believe many executive authorities could have avoided that by managing the expectations of all stakeholders about the implications of improving a nation’s services through 3 crucial elements.
The first implication is an increased cost of service as a result of quality improvement. In order to improve a service, it is crucial that the entire supply chain of the service is improved. This means the necessity to employ talented and experienced personnel and retain them. This also means the need to buy better quality inputs whether they are superior supplies (such as education material or medical consumables) or advanced systems for more efficient processing of information. All of this comes at an additional cost that cannot be benchmarked with the local market for performance. Hence, these services, if not subsidized, require a higher pricing structure in order to be sustainable. This cost implication of service improvement should be obvious but nevertheless new services are constantly critiqued for being overpriced.
The second implication is that any change that aims to improve services will require a significant amount of time. Usually, analysts would argue using their models that are based on linear growth assumptions, that time required for service improvement is only dependent on the activation of the service and they would ignore all cultural elements of adapting that change. To maneuver through the bureaucracy present in the old inefficient services requires a lot of time especially given that the improved services would discredit the current system. This only adds force to the resistance the improvements would be faced with making its creation more troublesome and as a result needing more time. Therefore, it is necessary for the stakeholders to understand that an improvement of service can only go as far as the infrastructure it is built on. Hence, requiring even more time!
The third implication for improving a nation’s services is that it will only succeed if all the other decision makers’ interests are aligned via the highest authoritative power (for example the ruler of the country). It is crucial that all the different players in making a service improvement are incentivized the same way and maybe even penalized for slowing things down. One successful example is the quick implementation of an e-government service for Dubai Government entities. Although this implication may seem very typical, it is surprising how often different authoritative bodies act against the interest of one another.
In summary, the Arab World today is trying its best to cultivate its operations through the mobilization of executive authorities with strategic projects that aim to improve the respective nations’ services. These executive authorities have recently been under scrutiny due to the inability to deliver as promised. I believe this dilemma could have been avoided by initially ensuring the authoritative parties understood that improved services require higher spending, more time, and everybody’s buy in.
Wouldn’t you want to know this information before making promises to a loved one or embarking on a new project like building a home?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
True Patriotism
This article was first published in Sail e-Magazine January 2012 issue
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1802
Cars honking, people dancing, aircrafts soaring through the skies, and flags being waved; these are some of the typical scenes witnessed last December as the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar celebrated their National Days (UAE on the 2nd, Bahrain on the 16th, and Qatar on the 18th). The festive mood on these days is a testimony of the citizens’ happiness and pride and a reflection of their sense of belonging to their land. It is also a time for citizens to renew their allegiance and support for their leadership. This was demonstrated through portraits of the Rulers vividly printed on peoples’ cars, flags, T-shirts, and more.
As I witnessed these festivities, I could not classify these emotions under any category other than patriotism, something I also remember witnessing during the unfortunate 9/11 days in the United States. What is Patriotism? Merriam-Webster defines it as “ love for or devotion to one’s country”. Since the world is constantly changing and development is an ongoing necessity, I believe that definition lacks two important elements that give true meaning to patriotism. In my opinion, the love and devotion has to be accompanied by the desire to achieve certain holistic gains that mutually benefit the country and its citizens. In addition, the love and devotion should come with a strong sense of representation.
“I want everyone in this country to benefit and to be of benefit at the same time.”
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
“Development is the responsibility of every citizen.”
Our father the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
After speaking to a few participants in these festivities, I realized that the majority I interacted with had no real understanding of the concept of striving to create a mutual benefit for the people of the country. Instead, they were participating solely for the sake of celebrating. This phenomenon of not knowing the meaning behind celebrating drove me to address this issue with great care and a lot of thought. In my opinion, in order to understand true patriotism, it is incumbent to understand the three main pillars that support it.
Faith is the first and most important pillar of patriotism that is required for constant development and improvement. Faith consists of a combination of belief in the country’s vision, optimism, and work. Believing in the goals set forth by the country and having realistic optimism about its results, fuels the work that needs to be put in to achieve those goals that will benefit the citizens of the country.
Passion is the second pillar of patriotism without which any efforts towards mutual benefit would collapse. Passion can be thought of as a strong feeling associated toward someone or thing. In patriotism, passion is a strong feeling of devotion and contribution. Interlinked with its predecessor faith, passion is the drive that fuels work even under the most discouraging conditions. Furthermore, it is the spark that allows individuals to fully contribute in the gloomiest of times.
Sincerity is the third and nonetheless an important pillar of patriotism; it is the element of purity in patriotism. It protects all efforts from hypocrisy, fraud, deceit and any conflicts of interests. Sincerity is important in patriotism especially in nation building and in positions of authority that are delegated with tasks related to development and continuous improvement.
With the correct foundations of faith, passion, and sincerity, patriotism is redefined to include social benefit and pursuit of prosperity. Flag-waving, car decorating, and country boasting then become based on these solid fundamentals that enrich patriotism with meaning and incentivize collective participation.
In Summary, patriotism as currently defined, lacks two important elements; the desire to contribute towards mutual gains and the necessity of appropriate representation. When patriotism is understood entirely through the above proposed pillars of faith, passion, and sincerity, it leads to the mentality of social benefit and only then does it become worthy of representation. That said; let us all educate ourselves to comprehend these pillars. Let us proudly represent our nations under the umbrella of true patriotism.
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1802
Cars honking, people dancing, aircrafts soaring through the skies, and flags being waved; these are some of the typical scenes witnessed last December as the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar celebrated their National Days (UAE on the 2nd, Bahrain on the 16th, and Qatar on the 18th). The festive mood on these days is a testimony of the citizens’ happiness and pride and a reflection of their sense of belonging to their land. It is also a time for citizens to renew their allegiance and support for their leadership. This was demonstrated through portraits of the Rulers vividly printed on peoples’ cars, flags, T-shirts, and more.
As I witnessed these festivities, I could not classify these emotions under any category other than patriotism, something I also remember witnessing during the unfortunate 9/11 days in the United States. What is Patriotism? Merriam-Webster defines it as “ love for or devotion to one’s country”. Since the world is constantly changing and development is an ongoing necessity, I believe that definition lacks two important elements that give true meaning to patriotism. In my opinion, the love and devotion has to be accompanied by the desire to achieve certain holistic gains that mutually benefit the country and its citizens. In addition, the love and devotion should come with a strong sense of representation.
“I want everyone in this country to benefit and to be of benefit at the same time.”
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
“Development is the responsibility of every citizen.”
Our father the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
After speaking to a few participants in these festivities, I realized that the majority I interacted with had no real understanding of the concept of striving to create a mutual benefit for the people of the country. Instead, they were participating solely for the sake of celebrating. This phenomenon of not knowing the meaning behind celebrating drove me to address this issue with great care and a lot of thought. In my opinion, in order to understand true patriotism, it is incumbent to understand the three main pillars that support it.
Faith is the first and most important pillar of patriotism that is required for constant development and improvement. Faith consists of a combination of belief in the country’s vision, optimism, and work. Believing in the goals set forth by the country and having realistic optimism about its results, fuels the work that needs to be put in to achieve those goals that will benefit the citizens of the country.
Passion is the second pillar of patriotism without which any efforts towards mutual benefit would collapse. Passion can be thought of as a strong feeling associated toward someone or thing. In patriotism, passion is a strong feeling of devotion and contribution. Interlinked with its predecessor faith, passion is the drive that fuels work even under the most discouraging conditions. Furthermore, it is the spark that allows individuals to fully contribute in the gloomiest of times.
Sincerity is the third and nonetheless an important pillar of patriotism; it is the element of purity in patriotism. It protects all efforts from hypocrisy, fraud, deceit and any conflicts of interests. Sincerity is important in patriotism especially in nation building and in positions of authority that are delegated with tasks related to development and continuous improvement.
With the correct foundations of faith, passion, and sincerity, patriotism is redefined to include social benefit and pursuit of prosperity. Flag-waving, car decorating, and country boasting then become based on these solid fundamentals that enrich patriotism with meaning and incentivize collective participation.
In Summary, patriotism as currently defined, lacks two important elements; the desire to contribute towards mutual gains and the necessity of appropriate representation. When patriotism is understood entirely through the above proposed pillars of faith, passion, and sincerity, it leads to the mentality of social benefit and only then does it become worthy of representation. That said; let us all educate ourselves to comprehend these pillars. Let us proudly represent our nations under the umbrella of true patriotism.
Survival and Hardships Right Next Door
This article was first published in Sail e-Magazine November 2011 issue
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1603
Broken wooden cabinets, an old rusty fan, dusty torn rugs, and flickering light bulbs surrounded us in what Ayesha calls home. This stuffy 50 square meter non air-conditioned space with rows of palm tree fronds used as a ceiling is home to Ayesha and her family of 5. Being the sole provider for her family, Ayesha works in a leading global super market chain and earns approximately AED 2,000-3,000 a month, which ends up being consumed almost instantly on rent and food expenses for her family. Every month she prays that miraculously she can survive until the next pay check. This is the story of Ayesha, a middle aged Emirati mom, living in the Northern Emirates.
While we proudly boast about the amount of aid that the UAE and its residents provide the world, it is important to realize that not everything is rosy and promising here at home. The reasons this comes as a surprise to many are various and may include the lavish lifestyles of the UAE, the generous benefits distributed by the rulers, as well as the lack of media’s attention to cases such as Ayesha’s. Furthermore, the factors leading to such situations are also various and could potentially be deemed sensitive (maybe we should leave it to our Federal National Council -FNC- to discuss). What is important and what I am sure you will agree with me on is that cases such as Ayesha’s need help and need to be addressed.
I believe that people like you and I, who may have a more comfortable life, can help fill the gap with solutions that will allow the people in need to survive until the issue is addressed at a larger scale. In order to be able to help in the most effective manner, I believe we need to strive and dedicate our time and wealth through three different parallels.
First, and the most obvious, is to identify where these people are and what exactly are their needs. We could reach out to charities that work locally and read about their selection criteria, their reach, and the speed of delivery. In addition, we could also go a step further by not relying solely on charitable organizations (due to bureaucracy that may make them less efficient than one would desire) but also by asking our families and friends if they know people who are in need of assistance. Once the people are identified, the next step would be to identify their needs (whether it is food, clothing, tuition fees, appliances, loan or utility bill payments, etc.). Once the needs are identified, they could either be supplied directly or financial aid can be given to them in the form of cash.
Second, and the most crucial, we need to find ways to create sufficient sustainable income for these identified families so that they may be able to rely on themselves. We could dedicate our time to teaching skills they require to obtain better jobs, advise them on how to create sustainable businesses through talent or skills they may have, create or identify jobs where they can be employed, and be involved in managing their income and advising them on how to reduce their expenses. This step is the most crucial because it allows those in need to feel independent and also gives them a sense of belonging in the larger society. This has a significant impact on their personalities, their children’s development, and the greater society.
Third, and the most impactful, is to spread awareness of cases such as Ayesha’s in our society. We could begin by discussing these issues and inviting others to join efforts in making sure we dedicate some of our time and wealth to those who are less fortunate.
In summary, the UAE is not exceptional when it comes to poverty and has evident cases of people who are in need of immediate help. In order to reach out to these families and address their needs effectively, I believe that people like you and I can make the most difference by working on these three different parallels. By identifying the ones in need and their requirements, finding ways for them to be financially sustainable independently, and spreading awareness of their cases, we can significantly reduce poverty in the UAE and contribute towards a larger scale solution from the country.
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1603
Broken wooden cabinets, an old rusty fan, dusty torn rugs, and flickering light bulbs surrounded us in what Ayesha calls home. This stuffy 50 square meter non air-conditioned space with rows of palm tree fronds used as a ceiling is home to Ayesha and her family of 5. Being the sole provider for her family, Ayesha works in a leading global super market chain and earns approximately AED 2,000-3,000 a month, which ends up being consumed almost instantly on rent and food expenses for her family. Every month she prays that miraculously she can survive until the next pay check. This is the story of Ayesha, a middle aged Emirati mom, living in the Northern Emirates.
While we proudly boast about the amount of aid that the UAE and its residents provide the world, it is important to realize that not everything is rosy and promising here at home. The reasons this comes as a surprise to many are various and may include the lavish lifestyles of the UAE, the generous benefits distributed by the rulers, as well as the lack of media’s attention to cases such as Ayesha’s. Furthermore, the factors leading to such situations are also various and could potentially be deemed sensitive (maybe we should leave it to our Federal National Council -FNC- to discuss). What is important and what I am sure you will agree with me on is that cases such as Ayesha’s need help and need to be addressed.
I believe that people like you and I, who may have a more comfortable life, can help fill the gap with solutions that will allow the people in need to survive until the issue is addressed at a larger scale. In order to be able to help in the most effective manner, I believe we need to strive and dedicate our time and wealth through three different parallels.
First, and the most obvious, is to identify where these people are and what exactly are their needs. We could reach out to charities that work locally and read about their selection criteria, their reach, and the speed of delivery. In addition, we could also go a step further by not relying solely on charitable organizations (due to bureaucracy that may make them less efficient than one would desire) but also by asking our families and friends if they know people who are in need of assistance. Once the people are identified, the next step would be to identify their needs (whether it is food, clothing, tuition fees, appliances, loan or utility bill payments, etc.). Once the needs are identified, they could either be supplied directly or financial aid can be given to them in the form of cash.
Second, and the most crucial, we need to find ways to create sufficient sustainable income for these identified families so that they may be able to rely on themselves. We could dedicate our time to teaching skills they require to obtain better jobs, advise them on how to create sustainable businesses through talent or skills they may have, create or identify jobs where they can be employed, and be involved in managing their income and advising them on how to reduce their expenses. This step is the most crucial because it allows those in need to feel independent and also gives them a sense of belonging in the larger society. This has a significant impact on their personalities, their children’s development, and the greater society.
Third, and the most impactful, is to spread awareness of cases such as Ayesha’s in our society. We could begin by discussing these issues and inviting others to join efforts in making sure we dedicate some of our time and wealth to those who are less fortunate.
In summary, the UAE is not exceptional when it comes to poverty and has evident cases of people who are in need of immediate help. In order to reach out to these families and address their needs effectively, I believe that people like you and I can make the most difference by working on these three different parallels. By identifying the ones in need and their requirements, finding ways for them to be financially sustainable independently, and spreading awareness of their cases, we can significantly reduce poverty in the UAE and contribute towards a larger scale solution from the country.
The Transition from Ramadan
This article was first published in Sail e-Magazine September 2011 issue
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1375
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar echoing from the minarets all around the globe, happiness and joy on the faces of young and old, and humble generosity being witnessed around us. Yes, Eid has finally arrived and Muslims have bid farewell to the beloved month of Ramadan. A new beginning is at the footsteps and a fresh start to people’s personal and professional lives is anticipated.
As with every journey in life, the fasting and good deeds of Ramadan have a precise purpose, and that is to attain piety and be conscious of the actions we perform.
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may attain piety” -The Holy Quran [2: 183]
That said, it should be of no surprise that the fruit of the time and effort invested in Ramadan should be evident throughout the year. Let us take a step back and assess if Ramadan truly allowed its participants to attain the year round piety mentioned above. First of all, allow me to define piety as the state of “God-consciousness” that brings forth self-restraint; fear of displeasing the Almighty, and as a result, conscious behavior. Second, let us split piety into the realms of worshiping the Most Merciful and good conduct towards others.
In the realm of worship, Ramadan has taught Muslims many lessons through its rituals. Through the act of fasting, Ramadan has taught Muslims to be patient (restraining oneself from food, water and desires). Furthermore, through the repeated nightly prayers, Ramadan has taught Muslims persistence in achieving their goals, commitment to specific deadlines, and abiding by specific rules of fasting and prayers. As we transition into the post Ramadan period, the traits of patience, persistence towards achieving any kind of goals, prompt timing, and abiding by regulation can and should be maintained throughout the year. This could be applied to all areas of Muslims’ daily lives and is not restricted to worship alone.
I believe an excellent way to keep this segment of piety alive throughout the year is to practice some Ramadan rituals regularly. These include praying late at night as well as fasting certain days of the week or the month.
“Deeds are shown (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like my deeds to be shown when I am fasting.” – Prophet Muhammad- Peace be Upon Him (al-Tirmidhi :747)
In the realm of good conduct towards others, Ramadan has taught many to be gentle and wary of others’ concerns in an effort to seek the All-Knowing’s pleasure. Acts of charity, gift-giving, visiting family members, controlling temper, and encouraging good behavior have been typical in the holy month. Again, as we transition into the post Ramadan period, these acts can and should be preserved and regularly performed.
“Those who spend (freely in the path of Allah), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) people;- for Allah loves those who do good” – The Holy Quran [3:134]
However, as Ramadan passes by every year, a lot of the piety that was attained disappears along with it. Therefore, failing to achieve its purpose as explained above. In order to maintain this piety and ensure Ramadan’s success, it is incumbent for Muslims to learn from this holy month and evaluate themselves throughout the year by feeding their piety via consistent acts of worship and acts of good conduct towards others. As a result, Muslims celebrating this Eid should base their happiness and joy on the achievement of a lasting level of piety that will fuel the year ahead.
In summary, the purpose of Ramadan is to attain piety. This piety is achieved through the lessons Muslims have learnt in Ramadan in patience, persistence towards achieving goals, and abiding by timelines and regulations. In addition, this piety is reflected in Muslims’ actions of kindness towards others. The piety achieved in Ramadan is intended to persist throughout the year and only then is Ramadan’s effectiveness validated.
“To proceed, if anyone amongst you used to worship Muhammad, then Muhammad has passed away, but if (anyone of) you used to worship Allah, then Allah is Alive and shall never die.” – Abu Bakr Al Siddique, 1st Caliph of Islam, Sahih Al Bukhari [vol 5, book 59, 733]
Similarly, if anyone amongst you used to worship just Ramadan, then Ramadan has passed. But if anyone of you used to worship Allah, then Allah is Alive and shall never die. Let us ensure that our efforts and time contribute towards a bigger goal. Let us keep the fruits of Ramadan alive throughout the year. Let us attain piety.
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1375
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar echoing from the minarets all around the globe, happiness and joy on the faces of young and old, and humble generosity being witnessed around us. Yes, Eid has finally arrived and Muslims have bid farewell to the beloved month of Ramadan. A new beginning is at the footsteps and a fresh start to people’s personal and professional lives is anticipated.
As with every journey in life, the fasting and good deeds of Ramadan have a precise purpose, and that is to attain piety and be conscious of the actions we perform.
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may attain piety” -The Holy Quran [2: 183]
That said, it should be of no surprise that the fruit of the time and effort invested in Ramadan should be evident throughout the year. Let us take a step back and assess if Ramadan truly allowed its participants to attain the year round piety mentioned above. First of all, allow me to define piety as the state of “God-consciousness” that brings forth self-restraint; fear of displeasing the Almighty, and as a result, conscious behavior. Second, let us split piety into the realms of worshiping the Most Merciful and good conduct towards others.
In the realm of worship, Ramadan has taught Muslims many lessons through its rituals. Through the act of fasting, Ramadan has taught Muslims to be patient (restraining oneself from food, water and desires). Furthermore, through the repeated nightly prayers, Ramadan has taught Muslims persistence in achieving their goals, commitment to specific deadlines, and abiding by specific rules of fasting and prayers. As we transition into the post Ramadan period, the traits of patience, persistence towards achieving any kind of goals, prompt timing, and abiding by regulation can and should be maintained throughout the year. This could be applied to all areas of Muslims’ daily lives and is not restricted to worship alone.
I believe an excellent way to keep this segment of piety alive throughout the year is to practice some Ramadan rituals regularly. These include praying late at night as well as fasting certain days of the week or the month.
“Deeds are shown (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like my deeds to be shown when I am fasting.” – Prophet Muhammad- Peace be Upon Him (al-Tirmidhi :747)
In the realm of good conduct towards others, Ramadan has taught many to be gentle and wary of others’ concerns in an effort to seek the All-Knowing’s pleasure. Acts of charity, gift-giving, visiting family members, controlling temper, and encouraging good behavior have been typical in the holy month. Again, as we transition into the post Ramadan period, these acts can and should be preserved and regularly performed.
“Those who spend (freely in the path of Allah), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) people;- for Allah loves those who do good” – The Holy Quran [3:134]
However, as Ramadan passes by every year, a lot of the piety that was attained disappears along with it. Therefore, failing to achieve its purpose as explained above. In order to maintain this piety and ensure Ramadan’s success, it is incumbent for Muslims to learn from this holy month and evaluate themselves throughout the year by feeding their piety via consistent acts of worship and acts of good conduct towards others. As a result, Muslims celebrating this Eid should base their happiness and joy on the achievement of a lasting level of piety that will fuel the year ahead.
In summary, the purpose of Ramadan is to attain piety. This piety is achieved through the lessons Muslims have learnt in Ramadan in patience, persistence towards achieving goals, and abiding by timelines and regulations. In addition, this piety is reflected in Muslims’ actions of kindness towards others. The piety achieved in Ramadan is intended to persist throughout the year and only then is Ramadan’s effectiveness validated.
“To proceed, if anyone amongst you used to worship Muhammad, then Muhammad has passed away, but if (anyone of) you used to worship Allah, then Allah is Alive and shall never die.” – Abu Bakr Al Siddique, 1st Caliph of Islam, Sahih Al Bukhari [vol 5, book 59, 733]
Similarly, if anyone amongst you used to worship just Ramadan, then Ramadan has passed. But if anyone of you used to worship Allah, then Allah is Alive and shall never die. Let us ensure that our efforts and time contribute towards a bigger goal. Let us keep the fruits of Ramadan alive throughout the year. Let us attain piety.
A Balanced Nation
This article was first published in Sail e-Magazine August 2011 issue
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1267
While enjoying a Johnny Rockets burger in Riyadh last month, I could not help but notice the different types of people sitting all around me. There were women who were not allowed to talk to the waiter and there were others who were dressed as though they were participating in a beauty pageant. There were couples who did not say a word and others who would not stop talking. There were families respectfully having a meal and there were girls flirting with boys in the “singles’ section”. Observing the vast differences in people made me think of a greater phenomenon the Muslim region is witnessing; a phenomenon that has become more and more evident in the past few years, and that is the phenomenon of extremism. While extremism is something that is becoming evident globally and across different cultures and religions, I would like to shed light on the topic through perspectives that pertain to Islam.
“Thus, have We made of you a Nation [that is] justly balanced …”
–The Holy Quran [2:143]
Although it is contrary to Islamic ideals, in today’s Muslims’ societies, extremism has begun to surface in every aspect of life. Muslim terrorists are killing innocent civilians, Muslim women are being banned from education or driving, and other Muslims are diving deep into spirituality or deifying popular figures. In addition, “moderate” Muslims have also been affected by the extremism they have witnessed. Some of them have rebelled and abandoned Islam in its entirety and others have modified Islam to suit their perceptions of the modern world.
A multitude of factors could have caused this phenomenon; however, I believe these extreme pursuits or habits may have been the subsequent results that occurred while the society was adapting to the modernization and development of their respective regions. I believe that extremism, whether in openness or in intolerance, can be detrimental to any society. Hence, for our societies specifically, extremism needs to be eradicated in order to preserve the Islamic essence emphasized in the Quranic verse above.
In my opinion, Muslims can easily achieve that and return to the state of being a “Balanced Nation” by following 3 main principles.
First, Muslims should know and have faith in their religion based on evidence, not human logic that may at times be affected by current circumstances leading it to be fallible. This evidence could be found in Quranic verses, authentic accounts of the Prophet Muhammad’s life (May Peace be Upon Him), accounts of the lives of the Pious Predecessors, or the consensus of Muslim scholars.
“Had the truth followed their desires, the heavens and the earth and all those therein would have fallen in total disorder. However, We have brought to them their advice, but it is their advice that they are averse to.” –The Holy Quran [23:71]
Second, Muslims should acknowledge their religion in its entirety. Since Islam is a total way of life, it requires its followers to conform to it as a whole.
“O Ye who believe! Enter into Islam wholly,,” –The Holy Quran [2:208]
It is important that when accepting Islam as a whole, its true form should be considered rather than the altered forms as conveyed by extremists. Needless to say, accepting parts of the Quran and omitting others can lead to extremism and corruption such as the killing of innocent civilians, self inflicted pain for the sake of religion, and extreme rebellion.
“…Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you…” –The Holy Quran [2:85]
Last and most importantly, Muslims should make an effort to learn, practice, and teach religion to themselves and their families. They should constantly strive to evaluate themselves and improve their surroundings as much as possible in order to avoid the birth of extremist ideologies in Islamic societies and to preserve the Islamic essence of balance.
“…Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves…”
–The Holy Quran [13:11]
In summary, the Islamic societies have begun witnessing extremist ideologies in different aspects of life whereas Islam calls to being a justly balanced nation. In order to tackle extremism, Muslims should know their religion based on evidence, accept Islam in its entirety, and strive to learn and teach their families the balance, moderation, ease, and good character of Islam.
“…Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you..”
–The Holy Quran [2:185]
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1267
While enjoying a Johnny Rockets burger in Riyadh last month, I could not help but notice the different types of people sitting all around me. There were women who were not allowed to talk to the waiter and there were others who were dressed as though they were participating in a beauty pageant. There were couples who did not say a word and others who would not stop talking. There were families respectfully having a meal and there were girls flirting with boys in the “singles’ section”. Observing the vast differences in people made me think of a greater phenomenon the Muslim region is witnessing; a phenomenon that has become more and more evident in the past few years, and that is the phenomenon of extremism. While extremism is something that is becoming evident globally and across different cultures and religions, I would like to shed light on the topic through perspectives that pertain to Islam.
“Thus, have We made of you a Nation [that is] justly balanced …”
–The Holy Quran [2:143]
Although it is contrary to Islamic ideals, in today’s Muslims’ societies, extremism has begun to surface in every aspect of life. Muslim terrorists are killing innocent civilians, Muslim women are being banned from education or driving, and other Muslims are diving deep into spirituality or deifying popular figures. In addition, “moderate” Muslims have also been affected by the extremism they have witnessed. Some of them have rebelled and abandoned Islam in its entirety and others have modified Islam to suit their perceptions of the modern world.
A multitude of factors could have caused this phenomenon; however, I believe these extreme pursuits or habits may have been the subsequent results that occurred while the society was adapting to the modernization and development of their respective regions. I believe that extremism, whether in openness or in intolerance, can be detrimental to any society. Hence, for our societies specifically, extremism needs to be eradicated in order to preserve the Islamic essence emphasized in the Quranic verse above.
In my opinion, Muslims can easily achieve that and return to the state of being a “Balanced Nation” by following 3 main principles.
First, Muslims should know and have faith in their religion based on evidence, not human logic that may at times be affected by current circumstances leading it to be fallible. This evidence could be found in Quranic verses, authentic accounts of the Prophet Muhammad’s life (May Peace be Upon Him), accounts of the lives of the Pious Predecessors, or the consensus of Muslim scholars.
“Had the truth followed their desires, the heavens and the earth and all those therein would have fallen in total disorder. However, We have brought to them their advice, but it is their advice that they are averse to.” –The Holy Quran [23:71]
Second, Muslims should acknowledge their religion in its entirety. Since Islam is a total way of life, it requires its followers to conform to it as a whole.
“O Ye who believe! Enter into Islam wholly,,” –The Holy Quran [2:208]
It is important that when accepting Islam as a whole, its true form should be considered rather than the altered forms as conveyed by extremists. Needless to say, accepting parts of the Quran and omitting others can lead to extremism and corruption such as the killing of innocent civilians, self inflicted pain for the sake of religion, and extreme rebellion.
“…Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you…” –The Holy Quran [2:85]
Last and most importantly, Muslims should make an effort to learn, practice, and teach religion to themselves and their families. They should constantly strive to evaluate themselves and improve their surroundings as much as possible in order to avoid the birth of extremist ideologies in Islamic societies and to preserve the Islamic essence of balance.
“…Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves…”
–The Holy Quran [13:11]
In summary, the Islamic societies have begun witnessing extremist ideologies in different aspects of life whereas Islam calls to being a justly balanced nation. In order to tackle extremism, Muslims should know their religion based on evidence, accept Islam in its entirety, and strive to learn and teach their families the balance, moderation, ease, and good character of Islam.
“…Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you..”
–The Holy Quran [2:185]
Our Way with a Sprinkle of Change
This article was first published in Sail e-Magazine July 2011 issue
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1222
Although politics has never been my cup of tea, there have been few incidents over the past few weeks that made me feel obliged to address an issue of relevance to our region. In light of the current events in the Arab world, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have witnessed many different opinions arise on the need for social and political reform. Mainly driven by global media, these opinions seemed to lack an important element since they all brought forth ideas that have been designed for peoples and places other than ours. These ideas, I believe, could be detrimental to our nations’ stability, development, and overall welfare.
So what can be done to address this? The ruling families of the GCC region have all in one way or another responded by forms of generous stimulus packages (increased salaries, increased benefits, subsidies, education scholarships, and increases in budgets for healthcare, education, and services). Albeit, a wonderful short term solution for earning citizens’ loyalty, in the long run this could affect the GCC’s development and ability to compete internationally while still not targeting the main issues. While many reasons exist for the spread of ideas that are not tailored to our dynamics, in my opinion, the main reason is the reduced involvement of GCC citizens’ in managing their affairs. As with every nation, certain policies or political decisions can act against the interests of a few. In the absence of involvement in these decisions, certain groups may feel left out.
In the past, elected tribe leaders would make sure that citizens’ concerns are communicated clearly to the ruling families through clear and simple access routes. However, with the development of society and the detachment of families from the larger tribal structure, that tribal system may have became slightly inefficient. Not all information is accurately captured and conveyed to the ruling parties. In addition, due to the lack of a structured opinion voicing system that is clearly defined as a citizen’s right, many citizens are hesitant to voice their concerns. This could be because of fear, pride, social norms of modesty, and many more reasons.
I believe that the system previously in place may still fit the current GCC societies provided certain factors are tailored to the newly evolved social structures of the region and that the citizens take a more responsible approach in conveying their concerns. The following 2 points are brief suggestions.
First, GCC countries could begin institutionalizing congregational structures into official bodies that represent the people in certain localities rather than tribal affiliations (i.e. areas within cities such as Jumeirah, Adliya, Olaya, etc). The representatives of these bodies do not necessarily have to be elected by the people and can be appointed by the ruling parties. However, they should be responsible and accountable for conveying the concerns of people within their areas. GCC Citizens need to have access to these official bodies defined as a right that can be practiced should they desire to and they should be educated in matters pertaining to this right. This is currently being done at a less organized level. Some GCC countries have begun hosting radio talk shows that manage the daily affairs and act as a body for conflict resolution. Other GCC countries have established publically elected bodies but access sometimes is still restricted or difficult.
Second, GCC citizens need to be civil and maintain some basic principles in conveying their concerns to the people who manage their affairs. Some principles are so basic and generic and are even defined as Islamic principles such as: adherence to the governing law, respect and diligence while conveying information, offering criticism and advice secretly and with respect rather than publicly, and having patience. Furthermore, I believe GCC citizens should try and make the best of the current channels available to them and take a more pro-active approach rather than ridicule or complain aimlessly.
In addition, I believe that public figures and religious scholars can facilitate the creation of a handbook of guidelines that explain the manner of ideal communication, and advice people on the correct channels to voice their concerns.
In summary, although I am not a political expert, I have offered my observations based on my keen interest on society. I believe that if GCC countries allow citizens to have the right to voice their concerns through efficient institutions by locality and GCC citizens take a more responsible approach in doing so, many concerns will be heard and addressed if possible. This would reduce the amount of open-ended bad-mouthing or extreme foreign opinions from arising in society and in turn would maintain our nations’ stability, development, and overall welfare.
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1222
Although politics has never been my cup of tea, there have been few incidents over the past few weeks that made me feel obliged to address an issue of relevance to our region. In light of the current events in the Arab world, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have witnessed many different opinions arise on the need for social and political reform. Mainly driven by global media, these opinions seemed to lack an important element since they all brought forth ideas that have been designed for peoples and places other than ours. These ideas, I believe, could be detrimental to our nations’ stability, development, and overall welfare.
So what can be done to address this? The ruling families of the GCC region have all in one way or another responded by forms of generous stimulus packages (increased salaries, increased benefits, subsidies, education scholarships, and increases in budgets for healthcare, education, and services). Albeit, a wonderful short term solution for earning citizens’ loyalty, in the long run this could affect the GCC’s development and ability to compete internationally while still not targeting the main issues. While many reasons exist for the spread of ideas that are not tailored to our dynamics, in my opinion, the main reason is the reduced involvement of GCC citizens’ in managing their affairs. As with every nation, certain policies or political decisions can act against the interests of a few. In the absence of involvement in these decisions, certain groups may feel left out.
In the past, elected tribe leaders would make sure that citizens’ concerns are communicated clearly to the ruling families through clear and simple access routes. However, with the development of society and the detachment of families from the larger tribal structure, that tribal system may have became slightly inefficient. Not all information is accurately captured and conveyed to the ruling parties. In addition, due to the lack of a structured opinion voicing system that is clearly defined as a citizen’s right, many citizens are hesitant to voice their concerns. This could be because of fear, pride, social norms of modesty, and many more reasons.
I believe that the system previously in place may still fit the current GCC societies provided certain factors are tailored to the newly evolved social structures of the region and that the citizens take a more responsible approach in conveying their concerns. The following 2 points are brief suggestions.
First, GCC countries could begin institutionalizing congregational structures into official bodies that represent the people in certain localities rather than tribal affiliations (i.e. areas within cities such as Jumeirah, Adliya, Olaya, etc). The representatives of these bodies do not necessarily have to be elected by the people and can be appointed by the ruling parties. However, they should be responsible and accountable for conveying the concerns of people within their areas. GCC Citizens need to have access to these official bodies defined as a right that can be practiced should they desire to and they should be educated in matters pertaining to this right. This is currently being done at a less organized level. Some GCC countries have begun hosting radio talk shows that manage the daily affairs and act as a body for conflict resolution. Other GCC countries have established publically elected bodies but access sometimes is still restricted or difficult.
Second, GCC citizens need to be civil and maintain some basic principles in conveying their concerns to the people who manage their affairs. Some principles are so basic and generic and are even defined as Islamic principles such as: adherence to the governing law, respect and diligence while conveying information, offering criticism and advice secretly and with respect rather than publicly, and having patience. Furthermore, I believe GCC citizens should try and make the best of the current channels available to them and take a more pro-active approach rather than ridicule or complain aimlessly.
In addition, I believe that public figures and religious scholars can facilitate the creation of a handbook of guidelines that explain the manner of ideal communication, and advice people on the correct channels to voice their concerns.
In summary, although I am not a political expert, I have offered my observations based on my keen interest on society. I believe that if GCC countries allow citizens to have the right to voice their concerns through efficient institutions by locality and GCC citizens take a more responsible approach in doing so, many concerns will be heard and addressed if possible. This would reduce the amount of open-ended bad-mouthing or extreme foreign opinions from arising in society and in turn would maintain our nations’ stability, development, and overall welfare.
The Strive for Quality Healthcare and Education in the UAE
This article was first published in Sail e-Magazine June 2011 issue
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1139
During this past month, I have come across many articles, tweets, and other publications that ridicule the standard of healthcare and education in the UAE. Although for the most part the criticism may be valid, I believe there is also a lot being done to combat the lagging standards of education and healthcare in the UAE. However, the effectiveness of what is being done is still questionable. In this month’s article, I will attempt to give a very high level summary of the situation as I see it and offer some recommendations to increase the effectiveness of the efforts to harbor quality products & services.
In the past few years, the UAE has been trying to tackle the identified issue of low quality healthcare and education by employing several methods. Some attempts included changing the government officials responsible for those industries, creating stricter guidelines and regulations, providing interactive online services, and incentivizing the private sector to take a lead role in developing these areas.
Although these improvements were hoped to drastically alter the efficiency and quality of services provided, I believe the upside effect was minimal in terms of impact on quality. In reality, what the new services introduced was a rigid and strict system that posed as an obstacle towards improvement of quality rather than simplifying its introduction into the UAE. For example, very recently, the UAE could not register a specialized surgical nurse to assist in surgery due to the lack of such a classification in the system, even though the use of such a nurse would increase efficiency of surgeries and secure safety measures for the patient. Many similar non-value added situations can be witnessed, whether it be attesting your college degree, admitting children into school, or even simply getting a medical check-up. These inefficiencies tend to impede quality improvement due to the level of complexity they add to the process.
In my opinion, the efforts exhausted to improve healthcare and education have not been effective for simply the reason of not understanding the industries’ requirements. The introduction of quality is not merely putting in stricter guidelines but requires an understanding of the situation and ability to adapt to each on a case by case basis. Based on my experience, the following two general rules of thumb would open doors to drastic quality improvement in the realms of healthcare and education.
First, it is crucial to maintain a high quality workforce that is competent enough to understand the challenges of each health/education provider as well as the requirements for delivering high quality. This implies the need to increase the salaries of policy makers and regulators to attract the best talent. However, high salaries are not enough to attract and retain such talent. It is crucial that their driving forces be identified and investments be made to foster them. These could include personal research funds, membership to global societies of policy makers, regular training, and travel to benchmark standards and share results. It is important that every employee be focused on.
Second, flexibility.. flexibility.. flexibility. In order to facilitate change, it is very important that processes and regulation be flexible enough to accommodate innovative techniques that may not be industry norms but proven to be effective and safe. For example, a new teaching method or surgical technique should be approved although it is not the industry standard as long as it can achieve outstanding results. Without flexibility, the ability to innovate or improve quality provision would be impossible. Innovation and change needs to arise from a flexible system where not only the rules can be created based on requirements but also where the employees have the flexibility to think outside the box.
In summary, although many efforts have been put into improving the quality of healthcare and education provision in the UAE, the efforts have not been successful. A major contributor to the failure in quality improvement in these areas is the mere lack of understanding of the industries’ requirements. I believe that with the employment of a competent workforce and a flexible environment, the UAE can achieve a better understanding of these industries’ and accelerate quality improvement.
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1139
During this past month, I have come across many articles, tweets, and other publications that ridicule the standard of healthcare and education in the UAE. Although for the most part the criticism may be valid, I believe there is also a lot being done to combat the lagging standards of education and healthcare in the UAE. However, the effectiveness of what is being done is still questionable. In this month’s article, I will attempt to give a very high level summary of the situation as I see it and offer some recommendations to increase the effectiveness of the efforts to harbor quality products & services.
In the past few years, the UAE has been trying to tackle the identified issue of low quality healthcare and education by employing several methods. Some attempts included changing the government officials responsible for those industries, creating stricter guidelines and regulations, providing interactive online services, and incentivizing the private sector to take a lead role in developing these areas.
Although these improvements were hoped to drastically alter the efficiency and quality of services provided, I believe the upside effect was minimal in terms of impact on quality. In reality, what the new services introduced was a rigid and strict system that posed as an obstacle towards improvement of quality rather than simplifying its introduction into the UAE. For example, very recently, the UAE could not register a specialized surgical nurse to assist in surgery due to the lack of such a classification in the system, even though the use of such a nurse would increase efficiency of surgeries and secure safety measures for the patient. Many similar non-value added situations can be witnessed, whether it be attesting your college degree, admitting children into school, or even simply getting a medical check-up. These inefficiencies tend to impede quality improvement due to the level of complexity they add to the process.
In my opinion, the efforts exhausted to improve healthcare and education have not been effective for simply the reason of not understanding the industries’ requirements. The introduction of quality is not merely putting in stricter guidelines but requires an understanding of the situation and ability to adapt to each on a case by case basis. Based on my experience, the following two general rules of thumb would open doors to drastic quality improvement in the realms of healthcare and education.
First, it is crucial to maintain a high quality workforce that is competent enough to understand the challenges of each health/education provider as well as the requirements for delivering high quality. This implies the need to increase the salaries of policy makers and regulators to attract the best talent. However, high salaries are not enough to attract and retain such talent. It is crucial that their driving forces be identified and investments be made to foster them. These could include personal research funds, membership to global societies of policy makers, regular training, and travel to benchmark standards and share results. It is important that every employee be focused on.
Second, flexibility.. flexibility.. flexibility. In order to facilitate change, it is very important that processes and regulation be flexible enough to accommodate innovative techniques that may not be industry norms but proven to be effective and safe. For example, a new teaching method or surgical technique should be approved although it is not the industry standard as long as it can achieve outstanding results. Without flexibility, the ability to innovate or improve quality provision would be impossible. Innovation and change needs to arise from a flexible system where not only the rules can be created based on requirements but also where the employees have the flexibility to think outside the box.
In summary, although many efforts have been put into improving the quality of healthcare and education provision in the UAE, the efforts have not been successful. A major contributor to the failure in quality improvement in these areas is the mere lack of understanding of the industries’ requirements. I believe that with the employment of a competent workforce and a flexible environment, the UAE can achieve a better understanding of these industries’ and accelerate quality improvement.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Detrimental Side of Emiratization
This article was first published in Sail e-Magazine May 2011 issue
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1064
If you are a UAE national or an expatriate resident of the UAE, you must be very familiar with the term Emiratization, a topic that has received a great deal of positive hype in the media ever since its inception. Never specifically defined, Emiratization is generally any initiative by organizations (both public and private) to employ, develop, and retain Emirati employees.
Over the years, Emiratization has manifested itself in companies in the form of diploma programs, intensive classrooms, and on-the-job training for the “fresh-graduate” employees that are “fit” to be placed in the work field. In addition, some Emiratization programs have also secured entry-level positions for Emiratis giving them exclusivity and priority over non-nationals.
So you must be thinking, why does the title here say “detrimental”? Although Emiratization may have been very helpful to some fresh graduates and new employees, it has had the opposite effect on young Emirati professionals and middle managers, specifically those who have undergone the highest standards of education as well as gained foreign and local experiences. Below are some of my observations with regards to this matter.
First, for organizations to establish these development programs, enormous efforts and significant monetary investments had to be made. Some of these efforts include making the commercial case, developing processes, allocating space, and much more. As a result, like any private educational institution, a minimum number of Emirati enrollees has to be met to prove the success of these programs. Keep in mind that in most cases, the same people who devise these programs are the people who hire Emiratis. Therefore, many talented and experienced Emiratis, who are qualified to join at more senior levels, get placed in entry-level positions.
Second, having exclusivity of entry-level positions for Emiratis causes Emiratis to remain in their positions for longer periods of time without any clear progression. This is mainly due to the fact that higher employee positions are filled with expatriates to introduce diversity and experience into the team. In many cases, these expatriates are less qualified and less experienced! Then why does this happen? With a high paced work environment and a shortage of skilled employees in the region, it is incumbent to hire an expatriate workforce. However, due to Emiratization, the organization has no choice but to employ them at higher levels, which sometimes comes at the expense of qualified and experienced Emiratis.
Third, I believe that all of the above causes Emiratis in organizations to be viewed as “special” cases that require “special” attention. The entire nature of the programs creates a perception that Emiratis are not qualified and cannot be trusted with real tasks. Qualified and talented Emiratis are then given trivial administrative tasks and deprived from responsibility they deserve in building their own nation. This in turn can lead to severe demotivation and as a result a lack of performance from Emirati employees.
Last but not least, I believe that with the current educational infrastructure and foreign exposure of Emiratis, Emiratization programs should cease to exist in their present nature and Emiratis should be given the opportunity to compete side by side with expatriate talent. However, Emiratization can take an alternate form. For example, Emiratis who feel they require enrolling in training programs should have the option to do so in the areas of their choice.
In summary, although I may have used extreme examples and generalizations to prove some points, I believe that Emiratization has proven to be detrimental for young, qualified, and talented Emiratis. Not only has it slowed their career progression through lengthy training programs and grounding in entry level positions but also it has led to severe demotivation. I believe this can be reversed by allowing Emiratis to compete with expatriates equally and giving them the option to enroll in development/training programs should they deem it necessary. This would not only save organizations millions of Dirhams annually but also create a more competitive, collaborative, and productive workforce.
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=1064
If you are a UAE national or an expatriate resident of the UAE, you must be very familiar with the term Emiratization, a topic that has received a great deal of positive hype in the media ever since its inception. Never specifically defined, Emiratization is generally any initiative by organizations (both public and private) to employ, develop, and retain Emirati employees.
Over the years, Emiratization has manifested itself in companies in the form of diploma programs, intensive classrooms, and on-the-job training for the “fresh-graduate” employees that are “fit” to be placed in the work field. In addition, some Emiratization programs have also secured entry-level positions for Emiratis giving them exclusivity and priority over non-nationals.
So you must be thinking, why does the title here say “detrimental”? Although Emiratization may have been very helpful to some fresh graduates and new employees, it has had the opposite effect on young Emirati professionals and middle managers, specifically those who have undergone the highest standards of education as well as gained foreign and local experiences. Below are some of my observations with regards to this matter.
First, for organizations to establish these development programs, enormous efforts and significant monetary investments had to be made. Some of these efforts include making the commercial case, developing processes, allocating space, and much more. As a result, like any private educational institution, a minimum number of Emirati enrollees has to be met to prove the success of these programs. Keep in mind that in most cases, the same people who devise these programs are the people who hire Emiratis. Therefore, many talented and experienced Emiratis, who are qualified to join at more senior levels, get placed in entry-level positions.
Second, having exclusivity of entry-level positions for Emiratis causes Emiratis to remain in their positions for longer periods of time without any clear progression. This is mainly due to the fact that higher employee positions are filled with expatriates to introduce diversity and experience into the team. In many cases, these expatriates are less qualified and less experienced! Then why does this happen? With a high paced work environment and a shortage of skilled employees in the region, it is incumbent to hire an expatriate workforce. However, due to Emiratization, the organization has no choice but to employ them at higher levels, which sometimes comes at the expense of qualified and experienced Emiratis.
Third, I believe that all of the above causes Emiratis in organizations to be viewed as “special” cases that require “special” attention. The entire nature of the programs creates a perception that Emiratis are not qualified and cannot be trusted with real tasks. Qualified and talented Emiratis are then given trivial administrative tasks and deprived from responsibility they deserve in building their own nation. This in turn can lead to severe demotivation and as a result a lack of performance from Emirati employees.
Last but not least, I believe that with the current educational infrastructure and foreign exposure of Emiratis, Emiratization programs should cease to exist in their present nature and Emiratis should be given the opportunity to compete side by side with expatriate talent. However, Emiratization can take an alternate form. For example, Emiratis who feel they require enrolling in training programs should have the option to do so in the areas of their choice.
In summary, although I may have used extreme examples and generalizations to prove some points, I believe that Emiratization has proven to be detrimental for young, qualified, and talented Emiratis. Not only has it slowed their career progression through lengthy training programs and grounding in entry level positions but also it has led to severe demotivation. I believe this can be reversed by allowing Emiratis to compete with expatriates equally and giving them the option to enroll in development/training programs should they deem it necessary. This would not only save organizations millions of Dirhams annually but also create a more competitive, collaborative, and productive workforce.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Manners? What Manners?!
This article appeared in my column "To the Point" in Sail e-Magazine April 2011 Issue
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=975
On a recent rafting excursion in Nepal, my friend and I met two flight attendants who had remembered us from our flight the day before. What surprised me though is that the reason they remembered us is because we were of the few UAE Nationals they had met who actually said “please” and “thank you”.
Although this did not come as a surprise, it did however stir resentment, given that the region was known for its hospitality and good conduct. I could not help but think why is it that we have lost our good manners and esteemed moral conduct. Is it because of a language barrier or is it simply a result of negligence and lack of importance?
Why does it matter? Well, manners are the set of guidelines that determine the methodology of communication. They are usually the first line of interaction and consequently the first base of judgment on individuals as well as societies. Through manners a society’s dynamics are greatly affected. For example, politeness and tolerance can harvest creativity, whereas rudeness and disrespect can bring out negativity. In addition, relationships, whether between companies or people, are also governed by manners. Families are built on relationships and societies are built on families. Therefore, manners, to an extent, could influence a country’s success or failure.
After a lot of observation and understanding the driving forces of the UAE’s society, I came to the conclusion that good manners may have slowly eroded due to a lack of emphasis by members of the society. However, I believe that they can be restored if the following 3 dimensions are properly understood.
First of all, it must be known that good manners and moral conduct are from Islam’s main objectives for mankind.
“And indeed, you are upon a noble conduct, an exemplary manner” -The Holy Quran (68:4)
“I have been sent to perfect righteous and honorable manners (noble virtues)” -The Prophet Muhammad (Al Bukhari, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, No.273)
Islam has supported good manners as well as pleasant qualities and described those who are characterized by them as being of the highest caliber of believers. Islam has reiterated, in multiple divine commands, the use of ease and politeness in preaching, acts of kindness towards the young, and respect towards elders. It has also promoted uttering the truth, showing appreciation, serving a neighbor, and even simply smiling at a fellow citizen.
“The best among you are those who have the best manners and character” -The Prophet Muhammad (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 56)
Not only has Islam encouraged good character and manners but it has also condemned the opposite (rude and immoral behavior). It has prohibited cursing and foul language, cheating, hypocrisy, backbiting, acting in anger, lying, and causing any form of inconvenience to a fellow citizen.
“ Those who avoid vain talk” (speaking of traits of the believers) -The Holy Quran (23:3)
“… And surely Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language.” -The Prophet Muhammad [Tirmidhi]
Second, being characterized by good manners and noble virtues should be seen as a social responsibility and duty towards the nation and the religion. The UAE has over 202 nationalities living and working in different sectors that make up above 80% of the nation’s population. This consequently makes every UAE national an ambassador to his/her culture and nation. Given the high level of Emiratis’ patriotism, it is important that the effect of bad manners on people’s perceptions of them and their country is vividly understood. I believe that this will instill a sense of representation that will drive people to better conduct and nobler virtues.
Last but not least, I trust that none of the above can be achieved if it is not supported at a family level. Many good traits and noble virtues are engrossed in one’s character at a personality development stage in one’s life (usually early years and upbringing). At this stage, an individual’s observations can influence his/her values and as a result their manners. Parents should be mindful of how their conduct is portrayed. In other words, parents should lead by example and take a proactive approach in shaping their children’s moral awareness.
Although there are many variables that can affect the manners of an individual from the region, I believe the main reason for the absence of good manners is a lack of importance and interest towards a proactive approach. However, with understanding the Islamic significance of good manners, viewing it as a social responsibility, and making sure it is carefully taught to our children, there may be hope to bring back what once made us the best of nations.
“….Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves…” -The Holy Quran (13:11)
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=975
On a recent rafting excursion in Nepal, my friend and I met two flight attendants who had remembered us from our flight the day before. What surprised me though is that the reason they remembered us is because we were of the few UAE Nationals they had met who actually said “please” and “thank you”.
Although this did not come as a surprise, it did however stir resentment, given that the region was known for its hospitality and good conduct. I could not help but think why is it that we have lost our good manners and esteemed moral conduct. Is it because of a language barrier or is it simply a result of negligence and lack of importance?
Why does it matter? Well, manners are the set of guidelines that determine the methodology of communication. They are usually the first line of interaction and consequently the first base of judgment on individuals as well as societies. Through manners a society’s dynamics are greatly affected. For example, politeness and tolerance can harvest creativity, whereas rudeness and disrespect can bring out negativity. In addition, relationships, whether between companies or people, are also governed by manners. Families are built on relationships and societies are built on families. Therefore, manners, to an extent, could influence a country’s success or failure.
After a lot of observation and understanding the driving forces of the UAE’s society, I came to the conclusion that good manners may have slowly eroded due to a lack of emphasis by members of the society. However, I believe that they can be restored if the following 3 dimensions are properly understood.
First of all, it must be known that good manners and moral conduct are from Islam’s main objectives for mankind.
“And indeed, you are upon a noble conduct, an exemplary manner” -The Holy Quran (68:4)
“I have been sent to perfect righteous and honorable manners (noble virtues)” -The Prophet Muhammad (Al Bukhari, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, No.273)
Islam has supported good manners as well as pleasant qualities and described those who are characterized by them as being of the highest caliber of believers. Islam has reiterated, in multiple divine commands, the use of ease and politeness in preaching, acts of kindness towards the young, and respect towards elders. It has also promoted uttering the truth, showing appreciation, serving a neighbor, and even simply smiling at a fellow citizen.
“The best among you are those who have the best manners and character” -The Prophet Muhammad (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 56)
Not only has Islam encouraged good character and manners but it has also condemned the opposite (rude and immoral behavior). It has prohibited cursing and foul language, cheating, hypocrisy, backbiting, acting in anger, lying, and causing any form of inconvenience to a fellow citizen.
“ Those who avoid vain talk” (speaking of traits of the believers) -The Holy Quran (23:3)
“… And surely Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language.” -The Prophet Muhammad [Tirmidhi]
Second, being characterized by good manners and noble virtues should be seen as a social responsibility and duty towards the nation and the religion. The UAE has over 202 nationalities living and working in different sectors that make up above 80% of the nation’s population. This consequently makes every UAE national an ambassador to his/her culture and nation. Given the high level of Emiratis’ patriotism, it is important that the effect of bad manners on people’s perceptions of them and their country is vividly understood. I believe that this will instill a sense of representation that will drive people to better conduct and nobler virtues.
Last but not least, I trust that none of the above can be achieved if it is not supported at a family level. Many good traits and noble virtues are engrossed in one’s character at a personality development stage in one’s life (usually early years and upbringing). At this stage, an individual’s observations can influence his/her values and as a result their manners. Parents should be mindful of how their conduct is portrayed. In other words, parents should lead by example and take a proactive approach in shaping their children’s moral awareness.
Although there are many variables that can affect the manners of an individual from the region, I believe the main reason for the absence of good manners is a lack of importance and interest towards a proactive approach. However, with understanding the Islamic significance of good manners, viewing it as a social responsibility, and making sure it is carefully taught to our children, there may be hope to bring back what once made us the best of nations.
“….Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves…” -The Holy Quran (13:11)
Aligning Interests in the UAE’s Diverse Environment
This article appeared in my column "To the Point" in Sail e-Magazine March 2011 Issue
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=872
Watching a promotional video about Dubai in an Emirates Airlines flight gave me goose bumps to say the least. From breathtaking views of the modern skyline of Dubai to smiling faces portraying traditional hospitality as well as diversity, the message was impactful. To the outside world, the UAE is a place where diverse people from all parts of the globe work together efficiently. The UAE’s success in establishing a robust infrastructure, foreign direct investment, tolerance of different religions, and diverse demographical population, are used as evidences of that very statement. In addition, promotional videos, written media, and global forums repeatedly portray that this diversity acts collectively towards the shared goal of the country’s progress
While this statement may be true in many cases, the UAE also faces a unique challenge in achieving certain objectives due to its diverse nature. The latter may often lead to an inability to act as a single body towards shared goals; this has created a level of inefficiency that comes at a significant price. In reality, records have showed that the UAE has witnessed a great amount of inefficiency in processes, decisions, and as a result in growth. This is realized on a daily basis by entrepreneurs, employees, policy makers, as well as social servants.
Whether it be different nationalities, organizations, or contracted parties working together, there will always be some factors contributing to the resistance of each party to work with the other. Some examples of the inefficiency that has negatively impacted progress in the UAE include lost revenue from licensing delays, brand weakening due to inappropriate customer care, and disregard for local processes and customs. Although the list can continue forever, what is important to focus on is transforming these inefficiencies to productivity and managing the UAE’s diversity wisely. In my opinion, the inefficiency in businesses may be caused by the country’s diversity and it can be addressed through aligning the interests of all involved parties. In order to do so, 3 factors need to be met:
First, there needs to be a clear goal defined by the parties working together and roles should be explicitly defined. When the goal is unclear, the sense of creating value is lost. In a diverse environment, this lack of clarity and absence of a common drive can create different perceptions of what the end result should be. Therefore, having a shared clear goal and explicitly defining roles can significantly transform inefficiency to productivity.
Second, after the goal has been established and clearly defined, there needs to be clear incentives that motivate individuals to work towards the goal. These incentives can be pertaining to personal beliefs or preferences or the incentives can be financial. I recently witnessed this when working with the health authorities to establish a medical center in the UAE. At first, the employees I was interacting with were unwilling to cooperate with me. However, after I highlighted the projects’ benefits to the nation and as a result to their families and friends, I had their full commitment. Furthermore, financial incentives can also be a good way to ensure compliance and timeliness. For example, if licensing authorities or government entities were responsible to reimburse companies for the lost revenue caused by delays, the situation would be very different. Having such fair incentives or disincentives helps align diverse environments’ interests hence transforming inefficiency to productivity.
Last but not least, there needs to be recognition. This is often forgotten about by most corporations or individuals trying to achieve team work. The effort put in by each individual needs to be appreciated and the appreciation needs to be shown. This factor is especially valid in diverse environments where Fair appreciation needs to be maintained to avoid the perception of prejudice. Appreciation can be expressed in the form of a simple thank you or tokens such as gifts, promotions, etc. It is crucial to maintain a standard level of recognition. The existence of such a system may ensure the maintenance of productivity.
Although the UAE is a place of opportunity that attracts people from all around the world to its fruitful environment, we have witnessed that the diversity could also be a serious cause of the expressed above inefficiency. We can choose to either live with this inefficiency and proceed or strive to improve to produce even greater results that will benefit not only companies but also the society and the nation. In order to improve, I believe this inefficiency can be transformed to productivity through aligning interests by clearly defining the goal, placing the correct incentive schemes, and recognizing efforts.
http://sailemagazine.com/?p=872
Watching a promotional video about Dubai in an Emirates Airlines flight gave me goose bumps to say the least. From breathtaking views of the modern skyline of Dubai to smiling faces portraying traditional hospitality as well as diversity, the message was impactful. To the outside world, the UAE is a place where diverse people from all parts of the globe work together efficiently. The UAE’s success in establishing a robust infrastructure, foreign direct investment, tolerance of different religions, and diverse demographical population, are used as evidences of that very statement. In addition, promotional videos, written media, and global forums repeatedly portray that this diversity acts collectively towards the shared goal of the country’s progress
While this statement may be true in many cases, the UAE also faces a unique challenge in achieving certain objectives due to its diverse nature. The latter may often lead to an inability to act as a single body towards shared goals; this has created a level of inefficiency that comes at a significant price. In reality, records have showed that the UAE has witnessed a great amount of inefficiency in processes, decisions, and as a result in growth. This is realized on a daily basis by entrepreneurs, employees, policy makers, as well as social servants.
Whether it be different nationalities, organizations, or contracted parties working together, there will always be some factors contributing to the resistance of each party to work with the other. Some examples of the inefficiency that has negatively impacted progress in the UAE include lost revenue from licensing delays, brand weakening due to inappropriate customer care, and disregard for local processes and customs. Although the list can continue forever, what is important to focus on is transforming these inefficiencies to productivity and managing the UAE’s diversity wisely. In my opinion, the inefficiency in businesses may be caused by the country’s diversity and it can be addressed through aligning the interests of all involved parties. In order to do so, 3 factors need to be met:
First, there needs to be a clear goal defined by the parties working together and roles should be explicitly defined. When the goal is unclear, the sense of creating value is lost. In a diverse environment, this lack of clarity and absence of a common drive can create different perceptions of what the end result should be. Therefore, having a shared clear goal and explicitly defining roles can significantly transform inefficiency to productivity.
Second, after the goal has been established and clearly defined, there needs to be clear incentives that motivate individuals to work towards the goal. These incentives can be pertaining to personal beliefs or preferences or the incentives can be financial. I recently witnessed this when working with the health authorities to establish a medical center in the UAE. At first, the employees I was interacting with were unwilling to cooperate with me. However, after I highlighted the projects’ benefits to the nation and as a result to their families and friends, I had their full commitment. Furthermore, financial incentives can also be a good way to ensure compliance and timeliness. For example, if licensing authorities or government entities were responsible to reimburse companies for the lost revenue caused by delays, the situation would be very different. Having such fair incentives or disincentives helps align diverse environments’ interests hence transforming inefficiency to productivity.
Last but not least, there needs to be recognition. This is often forgotten about by most corporations or individuals trying to achieve team work. The effort put in by each individual needs to be appreciated and the appreciation needs to be shown. This factor is especially valid in diverse environments where Fair appreciation needs to be maintained to avoid the perception of prejudice. Appreciation can be expressed in the form of a simple thank you or tokens such as gifts, promotions, etc. It is crucial to maintain a standard level of recognition. The existence of such a system may ensure the maintenance of productivity.
Although the UAE is a place of opportunity that attracts people from all around the world to its fruitful environment, we have witnessed that the diversity could also be a serious cause of the expressed above inefficiency. We can choose to either live with this inefficiency and proceed or strive to improve to produce even greater results that will benefit not only companies but also the society and the nation. In order to improve, I believe this inefficiency can be transformed to productivity through aligning interests by clearly defining the goal, placing the correct incentive schemes, and recognizing efforts.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Tribalism, Marriage, & Socierty
This article appeared in my column "To the Point" in Sail e-Magazine February 2011 Edition
http://t.co/yRF8r3X
One of the most interesting features of the countries that are located along the coast of the Arabian Gulf, also knows as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, is that they share the same language and religion. This similarity serves as a wonderful foundation for cooperation in various aspects of life, be it at a socio-political level or at an individual level. However, the discovery of oil and the drastic shift in people’s lifestyles due to the sudden emergence of wealth, I believe, led to a shift in people’s mentalities. Rather than focusing on things that united the region as people, factors that differentiate the region were actively sought in an effort to create artificial ranks that satisfy each subgroup’s ego. These ranks are numerous and range from boasting ethnic backgrounds and tribal descent to financial status and even skin color.
The importance of a united society has been recognized since the early days of Islam which emerged in Arabia during a time of severe segregation. Islam united the different sub-groups of people (tribes, ranks, gender, etc) under the flag of monotheism.
“ And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren ,,,”
-The Holy Quran (3: 103)
Although the “post-oil segregation” in society has manifested itself in many forms, I believe the strongest impact has been on marriage which is the building block of any society. The introduction of tribalism in marriage (making the pre-requisite for marriage to be an individual of a similar tribal descent or ethnic background) has had the largest impact in segregating people in a region that shares both a language and a religion.
First, the mere disqualification of a potential candidate for marriage due to his/her tribal descent creates subgroups in society. Each subgroup begins to believe in the superiority of their tribe against the other. This disqualification leads to negative sentiment in society towards members of different tribal or ethnic backgrounds. The upbringing of children in this segregation leads to the formation of tribally prejudiced mentalities in the long run and affects the way a society functions. An example of this in modern day within the GCC countries can be witnessed in certain companies that are dominated by employees of a particular tribe. In essence, this creates opportunities for one tribe and bars them from another.
The Prophet Mohammed uttered to Abu Dharr who had called a man “O son of a black woman”: “O Abu Dharr, you are a man who still has Pre-Islamic Ignorance (Jahiliyya)”
– The Prophet Mohammed (Sahih Muslim: Book of Oaths: 4092)
Second, tribalism in society has led to marriage for incorrect reasons. Marriage, as deemed sacred by religion, always had pre-requisites for approval. Things such as a person’s character, religious commitment, and financial capacity would be examined traditionally in order for marriages to proceed. These factors would ensure the security of a person’s son/daughter and the establishment of a family based on principles that would allow for greater benefit of the society. Unfortunately, with tribalism and ethnic profiling, people began focusing entirely on a person’s tribal background. Due to this, families started turning a blind eye towards any flaws in an individual’s characteristics and religious commitment. A person characterized by domestic abuse and alcoholism suddenly began to have more value than a person who was hard-working and God fearing solely for the reasons of his/her ethnic or tribal background.
“….Choose the one who is religiously-committed, may you prosper”
– The Prophet Mohammed (Sahih al-Bukhaari: Book of Marriage: 27)
Last but not least, the above mentioned points, in their illogical and irrational nature, have in many cases led to unhappy marriages, cheating spouses, broken homes, and high divorce rates. Given the nature of the family as the building block of society, any impact on marriage can lead to much greater social phenomena such as unemployment, injustice, terrorism, and oppression of women. All factors that lead to the loss of a society’s integrity and the loss of a society’s value universally.
“If there comes to you a man whose religious commitment and character you approve of, then [give your daughter’s hand to him] in marriage, and if you don’t there will be tribulations in the land and great corruption.”
– The Prophet Mohammed (Sunan Al-Tirmidhi: 1090-1091)
Although a very complex topic and many extreme examples, I hope it is clear from the above that tribalism is a trait of pre-Islamic ignorance and that its impact on marriage and society as a whole is detrimental. Society, wealth, and peer pressure in the GCC countries have begun to alter decisions and introduce characteristics that are not Islamic nor have any basis in the native culture. Wouldn’t it be great if authentic principles were adhered to and segregation was abolished? Wouldn’t it be beneficial if society’s demands were disregarded and Divine demands considered? These decisions are for the region’s inhabitants to make.
“….Be ye not afraid of them, but fear Me, if ye have Faith.”
-The Holy Quran (3: 175)
http://t.co/yRF8r3X
One of the most interesting features of the countries that are located along the coast of the Arabian Gulf, also knows as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, is that they share the same language and religion. This similarity serves as a wonderful foundation for cooperation in various aspects of life, be it at a socio-political level or at an individual level. However, the discovery of oil and the drastic shift in people’s lifestyles due to the sudden emergence of wealth, I believe, led to a shift in people’s mentalities. Rather than focusing on things that united the region as people, factors that differentiate the region were actively sought in an effort to create artificial ranks that satisfy each subgroup’s ego. These ranks are numerous and range from boasting ethnic backgrounds and tribal descent to financial status and even skin color.
The importance of a united society has been recognized since the early days of Islam which emerged in Arabia during a time of severe segregation. Islam united the different sub-groups of people (tribes, ranks, gender, etc) under the flag of monotheism.
“ And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren ,,,”
-The Holy Quran (3: 103)
Although the “post-oil segregation” in society has manifested itself in many forms, I believe the strongest impact has been on marriage which is the building block of any society. The introduction of tribalism in marriage (making the pre-requisite for marriage to be an individual of a similar tribal descent or ethnic background) has had the largest impact in segregating people in a region that shares both a language and a religion.
First, the mere disqualification of a potential candidate for marriage due to his/her tribal descent creates subgroups in society. Each subgroup begins to believe in the superiority of their tribe against the other. This disqualification leads to negative sentiment in society towards members of different tribal or ethnic backgrounds. The upbringing of children in this segregation leads to the formation of tribally prejudiced mentalities in the long run and affects the way a society functions. An example of this in modern day within the GCC countries can be witnessed in certain companies that are dominated by employees of a particular tribe. In essence, this creates opportunities for one tribe and bars them from another.
The Prophet Mohammed uttered to Abu Dharr who had called a man “O son of a black woman”: “O Abu Dharr, you are a man who still has Pre-Islamic Ignorance (Jahiliyya)”
– The Prophet Mohammed (Sahih Muslim: Book of Oaths: 4092)
Second, tribalism in society has led to marriage for incorrect reasons. Marriage, as deemed sacred by religion, always had pre-requisites for approval. Things such as a person’s character, religious commitment, and financial capacity would be examined traditionally in order for marriages to proceed. These factors would ensure the security of a person’s son/daughter and the establishment of a family based on principles that would allow for greater benefit of the society. Unfortunately, with tribalism and ethnic profiling, people began focusing entirely on a person’s tribal background. Due to this, families started turning a blind eye towards any flaws in an individual’s characteristics and religious commitment. A person characterized by domestic abuse and alcoholism suddenly began to have more value than a person who was hard-working and God fearing solely for the reasons of his/her ethnic or tribal background.
“….Choose the one who is religiously-committed, may you prosper”
– The Prophet Mohammed (Sahih al-Bukhaari: Book of Marriage: 27)
Last but not least, the above mentioned points, in their illogical and irrational nature, have in many cases led to unhappy marriages, cheating spouses, broken homes, and high divorce rates. Given the nature of the family as the building block of society, any impact on marriage can lead to much greater social phenomena such as unemployment, injustice, terrorism, and oppression of women. All factors that lead to the loss of a society’s integrity and the loss of a society’s value universally.
“If there comes to you a man whose religious commitment and character you approve of, then [give your daughter’s hand to him] in marriage, and if you don’t there will be tribulations in the land and great corruption.”
– The Prophet Mohammed (Sunan Al-Tirmidhi: 1090-1091)
Although a very complex topic and many extreme examples, I hope it is clear from the above that tribalism is a trait of pre-Islamic ignorance and that its impact on marriage and society as a whole is detrimental. Society, wealth, and peer pressure in the GCC countries have begun to alter decisions and introduce characteristics that are not Islamic nor have any basis in the native culture. Wouldn’t it be great if authentic principles were adhered to and segregation was abolished? Wouldn’t it be beneficial if society’s demands were disregarded and Divine demands considered? These decisions are for the region’s inhabitants to make.
“….Be ye not afraid of them, but fear Me, if ye have Faith.”
-The Holy Quran (3: 175)
Friday, January 21, 2011
I Believe
A testimony I've taken I'd like to share
of a belief within of a great affair
of a day for which we should all prepare
when deeds shall be weighed on a scale so fair
when the trumpet shall be blown and we reappear
anticipating judgement at the skies we stare
The day our ablution will make us glare
The day high mountains like cotton will flair
alone... each on his own,, that day will bear
glad tidings and peace for those who care
those Who single Him out in worship sincere
To take partners with Him they do not dare
Obedience and respect their parents hear
In every good deed they want to have a share
Fornication and adultery they do not near
portions of their wealth for orphans volunteer
O Allah my Lord you are I proudly declare
the creator of the heavens and earth without wear
no rest did you take nor problems bare
The Bestower of bounties The Manifest The Near
The Creator of Adam from clay austere
The Lord of Noah and his arc which you did steer
The Lord of David and Solomon the extraordinaire
The Lord of Lot and Jonah who was punished severe
The Lord of Abraham who told his people to beware
the idols they worshipped brought no joy or despair
The Lord of Isaac and Ishmael who you did spare
The Lord of Joseph the handsome who was judged unfair
The Lord of Moses and Aaron the magnificent pair
The Lord of Jesus the son of the virgin, I swear
The Lord of Muhammad the honest and trustworthy heir
of the message preceded by thy prophets here
The Most Merciful to whom no other can compare
The All Hearing All Seeing who does not err
In You I believe and in your path I ware
Your assistance I seek in every situation and every lair
Your mercy your guidance: salvation here and there
I testify O Protector i'm aware i'm aware
O Most High O Enricher O Expediter O Delayer
Protect me O Allah from the evil of Satan's snare
Save me from the torment of hellfire's flare
and grant me heavens and trees that fruits they bear
To Muhammad thy prophet I send my peace and my prayer
Praise to you alone O Majestic King O Source of all care
-Mohammed Kazim
of a belief within of a great affair
of a day for which we should all prepare
when deeds shall be weighed on a scale so fair
when the trumpet shall be blown and we reappear
anticipating judgement at the skies we stare
The day our ablution will make us glare
The day high mountains like cotton will flair
alone... each on his own,, that day will bear
glad tidings and peace for those who care
those Who single Him out in worship sincere
To take partners with Him they do not dare
Obedience and respect their parents hear
In every good deed they want to have a share
Fornication and adultery they do not near
portions of their wealth for orphans volunteer
O Allah my Lord you are I proudly declare
the creator of the heavens and earth without wear
no rest did you take nor problems bare
The Bestower of bounties The Manifest The Near
The Creator of Adam from clay austere
The Lord of Noah and his arc which you did steer
The Lord of David and Solomon the extraordinaire
The Lord of Lot and Jonah who was punished severe
The Lord of Abraham who told his people to beware
the idols they worshipped brought no joy or despair
The Lord of Isaac and Ishmael who you did spare
The Lord of Joseph the handsome who was judged unfair
The Lord of Moses and Aaron the magnificent pair
The Lord of Jesus the son of the virgin, I swear
The Lord of Muhammad the honest and trustworthy heir
of the message preceded by thy prophets here
The Most Merciful to whom no other can compare
The All Hearing All Seeing who does not err
In You I believe and in your path I ware
Your assistance I seek in every situation and every lair
Your mercy your guidance: salvation here and there
I testify O Protector i'm aware i'm aware
O Most High O Enricher O Expediter O Delayer
Protect me O Allah from the evil of Satan's snare
Save me from the torment of hellfire's flare
and grant me heavens and trees that fruits they bear
To Muhammad thy prophet I send my peace and my prayer
Praise to you alone O Majestic King O Source of all care
-Mohammed Kazim
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Corporations in Muslim countries have religious duty
by: Mohammed Kazim
The holy month of Ramadan is characterised by the beautiful sound of prayer echoing from the tops of minarets, religious lectures hosted around the clock, and sincere generosity shown by so many people. The most anxiously awaited month in the year, it brings with it humility, charity and the tradition of honouring one’s family.
Muslims believe this ninth month of the Islamic calendar was specifically chosen by Allah to reveal to His Prophet Mohammed the verses of the Holy Quran. It is the month when Muslims believe the doors of Paradise are opened and the doors of Hell are locked. However, what makes this month most unique in terms of daily life is the act of fasting. In this month, Muslims around the world refrain from food, drink, misconduct, and other worldly desires from sunrise to sunset in pursuit of attaining piety.
Individuals in the Muslim world are responsible for achieving the a state of piety, but corporations should be too. Although strict regulations have been introduced to govern corporate behaviour, we still witness ethical abuses by corporate executives and a decided lack of will on the part of regulators to rectify those abuses.
In order to build a trusted and socially responsible brand – and attain this “state of piety” – it is imperative that corporations use the holy month as a tool to evaluate themselves and to ensure that justice, diligence, respect and accountability are key elements of their operations.
Fusing these values with the corporate culture of business entities in the region would eliminate many widespread problems that have been subject to public scrutiny over the past few years. Some of these problems include delays in paying labourers their wages, medical malpractice due to negligence, and embarrassing standards of customer service.
First, corporations in the Muslim world should ensure that justice is the basis for their interactions with customers, suppliers, and employees. This entails abiding by contractual terms, consciously avoiding manipulative behaviour, and ensuring the quality of products and services.
The numerous complaints received by the Ministry of Labour about the mistreatment of labourers – including unpaid wages and harsh living conditions – are just one example of the lack of justice as a fundamental corporate principle.
Second, professions that offer services that are based on trust and affect the physical or financial well-being of their clients (such as doctors, brokers and engineers) are responsible for the appropriate level of due diligence. There should be no doubt of negligence or fault in these professions.
Multiple accounts of medical malpractice and unjustifiable consultant recommendations have occurred over the past few years due to carelessness or a lack of caution. In some cases, these errors led to death, permanent disability or bankruptcy.
Third, corporations should ensure that respect and accountability are characteristics demonstrated by all staff members. This element is especially crucial because it is the basis for social interaction. Respect and accountability as core corporate values ensure that tasks are completed accurately and promptly and that customers are treated properly.
In some cases, this will require paying higher salaries or providing special training, but the benefits are worth the expense. There have been many incidents where otherwise reputable business have mistreated their customers simply because of insufficient training.
Devout Muslims around the world spend the last 10 nights of Ramadan in prayer and worship, asking Allah to bestow upon them a state of piety to achieve the purpose of fasting for the entire month. There is no reason that this standard should not apply to people’s professional lives as well.
Ramadan has been an excellent time for corporations and individuals to review their values and ensure that they are characterised by justice, diligence, respect and accountability. As mosques recite the words “Allahu Akbar” glorifying the Creator’s greatness to mark the arrival of Eid, the question we’re left with is: have we attained piety?
Mohammed Kazim is an Emirati health-care analyst and commentator based in Abu Dhabi
The National
The holy month of Ramadan is characterised by the beautiful sound of prayer echoing from the tops of minarets, religious lectures hosted around the clock, and sincere generosity shown by so many people. The most anxiously awaited month in the year, it brings with it humility, charity and the tradition of honouring one’s family.
Muslims believe this ninth month of the Islamic calendar was specifically chosen by Allah to reveal to His Prophet Mohammed the verses of the Holy Quran. It is the month when Muslims believe the doors of Paradise are opened and the doors of Hell are locked. However, what makes this month most unique in terms of daily life is the act of fasting. In this month, Muslims around the world refrain from food, drink, misconduct, and other worldly desires from sunrise to sunset in pursuit of attaining piety.
O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil) (or attain piety)
The Holy Quran [2:183]
Individuals in the Muslim world are responsible for achieving the a state of piety, but corporations should be too. Although strict regulations have been introduced to govern corporate behaviour, we still witness ethical abuses by corporate executives and a decided lack of will on the part of regulators to rectify those abuses.
In order to build a trusted and socially responsible brand – and attain this “state of piety” – it is imperative that corporations use the holy month as a tool to evaluate themselves and to ensure that justice, diligence, respect and accountability are key elements of their operations.
Fusing these values with the corporate culture of business entities in the region would eliminate many widespread problems that have been subject to public scrutiny over the past few years. Some of these problems include delays in paying labourers their wages, medical malpractice due to negligence, and embarrassing standards of customer service.
First, corporations in the Muslim world should ensure that justice is the basis for their interactions with customers, suppliers, and employees. This entails abiding by contractual terms, consciously avoiding manipulative behaviour, and ensuring the quality of products and services.
The numerous complaints received by the Ministry of Labour about the mistreatment of labourers – including unpaid wages and harsh living conditions – are just one example of the lack of justice as a fundamental corporate principle.
Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.
The Holy Quran [5:8]
Second, professions that offer services that are based on trust and affect the physical or financial well-being of their clients (such as doctors, brokers and engineers) are responsible for the appropriate level of due diligence. There should be no doubt of negligence or fault in these professions.
Multiple accounts of medical malpractice and unjustifiable consultant recommendations have occurred over the past few years due to carelessness or a lack of caution. In some cases, these errors led to death, permanent disability or bankruptcy.
Soon will Allah observe your work, and His Messenger, and the Believers: Soon will ye be brought back to the knower of what is hidden and what is open: then will He show you the truth of all that ye did.
The Holy Quran [9:105]
Third, corporations should ensure that respect and accountability are characteristics demonstrated by all staff members. This element is especially crucial because it is the basis for social interaction. Respect and accountability as core corporate values ensure that tasks are completed accurately and promptly and that customers are treated properly.
In some cases, this will require paying higher salaries or providing special training, but the benefits are worth the expense. There have been many incidents where otherwise reputable business have mistreated their customers simply because of insufficient training.
Fear Allah (or be pious) wherever you are. Follow up a bad deed with a good deed (rectify) and it will blot it out. And deal with people in a good manner (with respect)
The Prophet Mohammed [Sunan al-Tirmidhî]
Devout Muslims around the world spend the last 10 nights of Ramadan in prayer and worship, asking Allah to bestow upon them a state of piety to achieve the purpose of fasting for the entire month. There is no reason that this standard should not apply to people’s professional lives as well.
Ramadan has been an excellent time for corporations and individuals to review their values and ensure that they are characterised by justice, diligence, respect and accountability. As mosques recite the words “Allahu Akbar” glorifying the Creator’s greatness to mark the arrival of Eid, the question we’re left with is: have we attained piety?
Mohammed Kazim is an Emirati health-care analyst and commentator based in Abu Dhabi
The National
Three Steps to Restore the Arabic Tradition of Thought
by: Mohammed Kazim
After attending the Friday sermon last week at the neighbourhood mosque, I felt as though I had been detached from the world. I could not stop thinking about the points highlighted by the imam. “Proactive thought,” he said again and again through the course of the sermon. It made me realise that a lot of our actions in society are performed as a matter of habit rather than with attention to their significance.
The process of thought and reflection, along with educated reasoning before performing an action or formulating an opinion, is not only something our culture has boasted about for many centuries, but also an important point emphasised in Islam. However, in recent times, with busy lifestyles and demanding jobs coupled with the easy availability of the necessities of life, this process of thought has begun to disappear from our society.
Many people today are constantly running away from thought and reflection by keeping themselves busy with work or indulging in some kind of entertainment or hobby. As a result, many follow trends blindly and form beliefs based on popular consensus rather than a calculated thought process. This gives birth to a form of ignorance which is detrimental to a society’s intellectual development and parasitic to our intelligent and rich culture.
The lack of conscious decision making and opinion formulation in our society has led to irresponsibility and disastrous outcomes such as domestic abuse, adultery, personal bankruptcy and corporate embezzlement. In addition, it has also contributed towards the lack of credibility of and trust in professionals and individuals across the region.
In order to revive a diligent thought process, it is crucial that individuals understand its roots in the culture and value for civilisation. I believe this revival can be achieved by following three steps, which I believe are supported by Quranic verses.
The first step towards educated reasoning is attaining knowledge. Knowledge forms the basis for thought and is a foundation upon which opinions can be built. It is the key to understanding and participating in a thought process. Knowledge also confers instant credibility when used appropriately.
The importance of education was further emphasised in Islam by putting education before all matters and placing it in the first words of the Quran that were revealed to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
The next step towards reviving an intelligent thought process is to understand its significance. Why this is important can be seen from an Islamic and cultural perspective. In Islam, thinkers and scholars are exalted and described as the ones who truly fear Allah (Quran 35:28). Islam has also repeatedly praised those who think and contemplate the wonders of Allah’s creation of the heavens and the Earth and has described them as men of understanding and their reward as gardens of paradise under which rivers flow (Quran 3:191-195).
The extensive amount of praise and reward for reasoning and contemplation is actually directed toward the end result of this thought process, which is a conscious testimony that has earned the Islamic nation superlative praises (Quran 3:110).
Although Islam had a significant role in encouraging thought and contemplation, Arabs were also known for their determination, which resulted from a form of conscious reasoning. Their love for poetry and the perfection of the Arabic language was to some extent sparked by their will to communicate these beliefs accurately. This led to the establishment of devout morals and manners driven by conscious efforts which earned Arabs respect and credibility.
Finally, the third step towards reviving thought and contemplation is communication. Thoughts and ideas should be shared between people of different backgrounds, dialogue should be facilitated and communication should be promoted. This exchange of ideas allows for more understanding of the big picture and the ability to perceive others’ perspectives.
The exchange of thoughts and ideas also causes a firmer understanding of what may be an initial framework for a belief. This concept is beautifully summarised in this excerpt from the Quran:
Initially, I had wished these three steps were laid out to me by the preacher on Friday instead of the passion-filled sermon that had no basis for verification. But as I thought more about it, I was grateful that I had the opportunity to research and formulate an opinion of my own.
A friend once told me: “Sometimes I take time off to think and I go for a walk.” It’s about time we also added more value and credibility to our decisions and opinions even if it means we need to take time out to take a walk, metaphorically or otherwise.
Let’s attain the appropriate knowledge, understand the significance of thought and be able to communicate with others. Let’s think.
Mohammed Kazim is an Emirati health-care analyst and commentator based in Abu Dhabi
The National
After attending the Friday sermon last week at the neighbourhood mosque, I felt as though I had been detached from the world. I could not stop thinking about the points highlighted by the imam. “Proactive thought,” he said again and again through the course of the sermon. It made me realise that a lot of our actions in society are performed as a matter of habit rather than with attention to their significance.
The process of thought and reflection, along with educated reasoning before performing an action or formulating an opinion, is not only something our culture has boasted about for many centuries, but also an important point emphasised in Islam. However, in recent times, with busy lifestyles and demanding jobs coupled with the easy availability of the necessities of life, this process of thought has begun to disappear from our society.
Many people today are constantly running away from thought and reflection by keeping themselves busy with work or indulging in some kind of entertainment or hobby. As a result, many follow trends blindly and form beliefs based on popular consensus rather than a calculated thought process. This gives birth to a form of ignorance which is detrimental to a society’s intellectual development and parasitic to our intelligent and rich culture.
The lack of conscious decision making and opinion formulation in our society has led to irresponsibility and disastrous outcomes such as domestic abuse, adultery, personal bankruptcy and corporate embezzlement. In addition, it has also contributed towards the lack of credibility of and trust in professionals and individuals across the region.
In order to revive a diligent thought process, it is crucial that individuals understand its roots in the culture and value for civilisation. I believe this revival can be achieved by following three steps, which I believe are supported by Quranic verses.
The first step towards educated reasoning is attaining knowledge. Knowledge forms the basis for thought and is a foundation upon which opinions can be built. It is the key to understanding and participating in a thought process. Knowledge also confers instant credibility when used appropriately.
Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?
Quran 39:9
The importance of education was further emphasised in Islam by putting education before all matters and placing it in the first words of the Quran that were revealed to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
Read! in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher …. He Who taught (the use of) the pen,- Taught man that which he knew not
Quran 96:1-5
The next step towards reviving an intelligent thought process is to understand its significance. Why this is important can be seen from an Islamic and cultural perspective. In Islam, thinkers and scholars are exalted and described as the ones who truly fear Allah (Quran 35:28). Islam has also repeatedly praised those who think and contemplate the wonders of Allah’s creation of the heavens and the Earth and has described them as men of understanding and their reward as gardens of paradise under which rivers flow (Quran 3:191-195).
The extensive amount of praise and reward for reasoning and contemplation is actually directed toward the end result of this thought process, which is a conscious testimony that has earned the Islamic nation superlative praises (Quran 3:110).
Although Islam had a significant role in encouraging thought and contemplation, Arabs were also known for their determination, which resulted from a form of conscious reasoning. Their love for poetry and the perfection of the Arabic language was to some extent sparked by their will to communicate these beliefs accurately. This led to the establishment of devout morals and manners driven by conscious efforts which earned Arabs respect and credibility.
Finally, the third step towards reviving thought and contemplation is communication. Thoughts and ideas should be shared between people of different backgrounds, dialogue should be facilitated and communication should be promoted. This exchange of ideas allows for more understanding of the big picture and the ability to perceive others’ perspectives.
The exchange of thoughts and ideas also causes a firmer understanding of what may be an initial framework for a belief. This concept is beautifully summarised in this excerpt from the Quran:
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair of) a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other
Quran 49:13
Initially, I had wished these three steps were laid out to me by the preacher on Friday instead of the passion-filled sermon that had no basis for verification. But as I thought more about it, I was grateful that I had the opportunity to research and formulate an opinion of my own.
A friend once told me: “Sometimes I take time off to think and I go for a walk.” It’s about time we also added more value and credibility to our decisions and opinions even if it means we need to take time out to take a walk, metaphorically or otherwise.
Let’s attain the appropriate knowledge, understand the significance of thought and be able to communicate with others. Let’s think.
Mohammed Kazim is an Emirati health-care analyst and commentator based in Abu Dhabi
The National
Glorious Obsession
Glorious Obsession
by: Mohammed Kazim
Thought contemplation reflection perpetual
a collision of emotions my mind's attire
rumination a desire for a special individual
no description in words for how i admire
her composition the progression of love gradual
her presence.. my body and my soul require
smiles sighs erruption of emotions consensual
yearning..craving.. a fusion of our flaming fire
intangible yet so splendid this obsession mutual
the jealous and heinous to undo this conspire
do they know not that we're beyond that sequel?!
efforts so useless to them my advice is retire
dedicated envy to part loved ones habitual??
cowardly and sly yet unshaken we stand higher
a passion.. a longing.. a yen for her effectual
these feelings I will yell from every tower & every spire
to make known to them that this bond is continual
that no dent can they make in our forted empire
Allah's protection I beg from evil so luctual
His justice I await on a day for them so dire
impatient ardent athirst for sanctuary spiritual
an existence incomplete until in my arms i acquire
my angel my peace my shelter my haven my ritual
my glorious obsession who makes my life entire
by: Mohammed Kazim
Thought contemplation reflection perpetual
a collision of emotions my mind's attire
rumination a desire for a special individual
no description in words for how i admire
her composition the progression of love gradual
her presence.. my body and my soul require
smiles sighs erruption of emotions consensual
yearning..craving.. a fusion of our flaming fire
intangible yet so splendid this obsession mutual
the jealous and heinous to undo this conspire
do they know not that we're beyond that sequel?!
efforts so useless to them my advice is retire
dedicated envy to part loved ones habitual??
cowardly and sly yet unshaken we stand higher
a passion.. a longing.. a yen for her effectual
these feelings I will yell from every tower & every spire
to make known to them that this bond is continual
that no dent can they make in our forted empire
Allah's protection I beg from evil so luctual
His justice I await on a day for them so dire
impatient ardent athirst for sanctuary spiritual
an existence incomplete until in my arms i acquire
my angel my peace my shelter my haven my ritual
my glorious obsession who makes my life entire
My Country .... My People
This poem was written in 2005 for the National Day. It was when HH Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE & Ruler of Abu Dhabi, announced the establishment of the Federal National Council
My Country .... My People
By: Mohammed Kazim
A pen i hold hoping to convey
accurately what lies in my heart if i may
the happiness and satisfaction i feel today
is a result of your wide generosity ray
unlimitted is the affection that you portray
spread out for all like a magnificent buffet
For your path oh Emirates I strive each day
hoping to benefit you always without delay
I wish i could express my feelings of dismay
for those who mask you with a false display
34 years have you nurtured us without sway
YET they live their desires and continuously stray
Oh my people let's not our Lord betray
let's remember the Provider of this wonderful bouquet
let's use free time wisely to repay
Allah's amazing bounties which he can decay
people before us He has punished blazing away
their wealth, their families, now nothing do they weigh
let's renew our faiths and Allah obey
and resist satan and all things astray
Let's stand in fear, lines in an array
in front of Allah, the Most Gracious, and pray
5 times without fail prostrating everyday
eyes with tears of joy we obey we obey
let's unite in purpose and each other survey
correcting our faults as we progress on our way
our deeds will not go forgetten as we return to clay
He promised us gardens under which rivers lay
Oh Khalifa like a father you spoke to us this holiday
your words arose a feeling of loyalty in an elaborate way
May the changes you propose benefit us tomorrow and today
I'm certain Blessed Zayed would be proud of you as we are day by day
I pray to Allah your obstacle path to defray
through which i hope you will comfortably sleigh
Thank you Zayed for constructing the legacy relayed
following it we hope to benefit humanity the same way
A pen i put down hoping to have a matter conveyed
i hope my words were not merely a cliche
My Country .... My People
By: Mohammed Kazim
A pen i hold hoping to convey
accurately what lies in my heart if i may
the happiness and satisfaction i feel today
is a result of your wide generosity ray
unlimitted is the affection that you portray
spread out for all like a magnificent buffet
For your path oh Emirates I strive each day
hoping to benefit you always without delay
I wish i could express my feelings of dismay
for those who mask you with a false display
34 years have you nurtured us without sway
YET they live their desires and continuously stray
Oh my people let's not our Lord betray
let's remember the Provider of this wonderful bouquet
let's use free time wisely to repay
Allah's amazing bounties which he can decay
people before us He has punished blazing away
their wealth, their families, now nothing do they weigh
let's renew our faiths and Allah obey
and resist satan and all things astray
Let's stand in fear, lines in an array
in front of Allah, the Most Gracious, and pray
5 times without fail prostrating everyday
eyes with tears of joy we obey we obey
let's unite in purpose and each other survey
correcting our faults as we progress on our way
our deeds will not go forgetten as we return to clay
He promised us gardens under which rivers lay
Oh Khalifa like a father you spoke to us this holiday
your words arose a feeling of loyalty in an elaborate way
May the changes you propose benefit us tomorrow and today
I'm certain Blessed Zayed would be proud of you as we are day by day
I pray to Allah your obstacle path to defray
through which i hope you will comfortably sleigh
Thank you Zayed for constructing the legacy relayed
following it we hope to benefit humanity the same way
A pen i put down hoping to have a matter conveyed
i hope my words were not merely a cliche
How young Emiratis can put us all on the fast track
By: Mohammed Kazim
We all know the stereotype: the average Emirati cannot work and lacks motivation. But let’s examine the bigger picture.
Since the formation of the UAE, the federal Government has protected Emiratis by giving them priority for jobs in both the public and private sectors. The Emiratisation programme requires companies to hire and train a quota of UAE nationals.
The programme might be considered essential for a young country in which its own nationals are a minority, and often lack the experience or knowledge to perform certain tasks; but it has led to inefficiency, to young Emiratis being in the wrong jobs, and to an induced over-reliance on the system. This manifests itself in some Emiratis as either laziness, or a lack of passion or drive for what they do.
As I see it, there are three main issues here. The first is the socio-economic background of many young Emirati professionals who join the corporate world seeking self-development, and because they want to contribute to the nation-building process. They are not driven to work by necessity, and need incentives other than money; that is already available to them.
The second issue is the absence of a respect-driven disciplinary system that would hold UAE nationals accountable to deadlines and professional standards, while taking into account cultural perceptions.
The third issue is the lack of trust in Emirati employees – a perception within some elements of the expatriate community, based on a few bad experiences they may have had, that Emiratis are not diligent. This lack of trust from mentors and colleagues further alienates Emirati employees and destroys their motivation to excel.
Expatriates interact most frequently with young, educated Emiratis, often new graduates and the first in their families to hold degrees.
We all need mentors in the early stages of our professional development. The key ingredients that define our early self-confidence are the trust our mentors have in us and the tools we are provided with. We feel we cannot betray that trust, so we strive to deliver using those tools.
The developmental psychologist Erik Erikson described this "trust versus mistrust" phenomenon as the first stage of a human being’s social development from infancy to adulthood. Similarly, a fresh graduate or a young employee can be compared to an infant in the corporate world.
To optimise Emirati potential and enhance teamwork, managers – both national and expatriate – need to learn how to revive that desire in Emiratis to contribute to the nation-building process. That desire, along with respectful disciplinary measures, trust in Emiratis’ competence, and a little mentoring, would yield fascinating results.
Which brings me to this month’s Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi – an event with a genuinely global profile that brought an influx of visitors to the UAE.
Forget for a moment the visually stunning Yas Marina circuit, the infrastructure that supports it, and the world-class development going on around it. For me, the truly impressive part was what was happening in the grandstands, full of motor-racing enthusiasts and others there just to have a good time.
Amid the sea of red Ferrari caps bearing the logo “Mubadala – Abu Dhabi” were a large number of young Emirati men and women in national dress. Their job was to help the crowds and to educate them about the event, and about the UAE in general. Representing their country, the level of service and hospitality these volunteers demonstrated surpassed all expectations.
I had a conversation with one of them, a young Emirati professional called Safeya, who works for one of the event sponsors and had joined up with Takatof, the flagship social volunteering programme of the Emirates Foundation. When I asked her what had persuaded her to do this, she told me: “All it took was a little trust and the desire to contribute to my country.”
Seeing Safeya, elegantly dressed in her abaya and volunteer ribbon, waving the UAE flag with pride as guests left the grandstands, made me realise the passion that Emiratis have to offer. If this passion is channelled correctly, we can enhance teamwork and build a nation with quality and dedication.
The question is: are you ready to leave your comfort zone, abandon the stereotype, and trust us?
Mohammed Kazim is an Emirati healthcare analyst and commentator based in Abu Dhabi
The National Copy (Original)
Al Arabiya Copy
We all know the stereotype: the average Emirati cannot work and lacks motivation. But let’s examine the bigger picture.
Since the formation of the UAE, the federal Government has protected Emiratis by giving them priority for jobs in both the public and private sectors. The Emiratisation programme requires companies to hire and train a quota of UAE nationals.
The programme might be considered essential for a young country in which its own nationals are a minority, and often lack the experience or knowledge to perform certain tasks; but it has led to inefficiency, to young Emiratis being in the wrong jobs, and to an induced over-reliance on the system. This manifests itself in some Emiratis as either laziness, or a lack of passion or drive for what they do.
As I see it, there are three main issues here. The first is the socio-economic background of many young Emirati professionals who join the corporate world seeking self-development, and because they want to contribute to the nation-building process. They are not driven to work by necessity, and need incentives other than money; that is already available to them.
The second issue is the absence of a respect-driven disciplinary system that would hold UAE nationals accountable to deadlines and professional standards, while taking into account cultural perceptions.
The third issue is the lack of trust in Emirati employees – a perception within some elements of the expatriate community, based on a few bad experiences they may have had, that Emiratis are not diligent. This lack of trust from mentors and colleagues further alienates Emirati employees and destroys their motivation to excel.
Expatriates interact most frequently with young, educated Emiratis, often new graduates and the first in their families to hold degrees.
We all need mentors in the early stages of our professional development. The key ingredients that define our early self-confidence are the trust our mentors have in us and the tools we are provided with. We feel we cannot betray that trust, so we strive to deliver using those tools.
The developmental psychologist Erik Erikson described this "trust versus mistrust" phenomenon as the first stage of a human being’s social development from infancy to adulthood. Similarly, a fresh graduate or a young employee can be compared to an infant in the corporate world.
To optimise Emirati potential and enhance teamwork, managers – both national and expatriate – need to learn how to revive that desire in Emiratis to contribute to the nation-building process. That desire, along with respectful disciplinary measures, trust in Emiratis’ competence, and a little mentoring, would yield fascinating results.
Which brings me to this month’s Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi – an event with a genuinely global profile that brought an influx of visitors to the UAE.
Forget for a moment the visually stunning Yas Marina circuit, the infrastructure that supports it, and the world-class development going on around it. For me, the truly impressive part was what was happening in the grandstands, full of motor-racing enthusiasts and others there just to have a good time.
Amid the sea of red Ferrari caps bearing the logo “Mubadala – Abu Dhabi” were a large number of young Emirati men and women in national dress. Their job was to help the crowds and to educate them about the event, and about the UAE in general. Representing their country, the level of service and hospitality these volunteers demonstrated surpassed all expectations.
I had a conversation with one of them, a young Emirati professional called Safeya, who works for one of the event sponsors and had joined up with Takatof, the flagship social volunteering programme of the Emirates Foundation. When I asked her what had persuaded her to do this, she told me: “All it took was a little trust and the desire to contribute to my country.”
Seeing Safeya, elegantly dressed in her abaya and volunteer ribbon, waving the UAE flag with pride as guests left the grandstands, made me realise the passion that Emiratis have to offer. If this passion is channelled correctly, we can enhance teamwork and build a nation with quality and dedication.
The question is: are you ready to leave your comfort zone, abandon the stereotype, and trust us?
Mohammed Kazim is an Emirati healthcare analyst and commentator based in Abu Dhabi
The National Copy (Original)
Al Arabiya Copy
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Bridge the gulf between peoples of the Gulf
by: Mohammed Kazim
Driving down Sheikh Zayed Road, I could not help but notice a new flag adorning the streetlights alongside that of the UAE: the flag of Bahrain. It was there to honour the marriage of the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to the son of the King of Bahrain.
Such relationships between GCC member states are not a new phenomenon, and can be traced back to a time before formal boundaries were known in the region. In fact, the intermingling of fellow “Khaleejis” occurred at many levels and for a plethora of reasons which range from maintaining peace and political stability to improving trade relationships and distribution networks.
Forms of collaboration between the inhabitants of the Arabian Gulf involved business partnerships and joint ventures, political treaties, loans and credit purchases, as well as marriages. Keep in mind that all this happened at a time when travel wasn’t as simple and convenient as it is today, and communication not as developed.
However, Khaleejis would still manage to congregate during travel for business, pilgrimage and education. For example, Khaleeji merchants who operated in India would frequently meet in Mumbai and Khaleeji students in Iraq or Egypt would spend time together. This level of collaboration was integral to the success of many prominent business families and for the development of society.
As these businesses and political powers were passed down to newer generations and borders began to play a more important role, the maintenance of these interstate relationships slowly faded. More regulation was introduced and the movement of labour and resources was to some extent restricted.
Then the discovery of oil created an entirely new lifestyle and introduced enormous wealth to the region. Every country was deeply focused on developing itself and businesses started benefiting from agency laws that restricted “foreign” institutions to using local distributors and sharing profits with them.
Despite its many advantages, this system also introduced another setback for Khaleeji integration. With these indirect barriers and the sudden emergence of wealth, new mentalities also evolved. With businesses and social activities focused locally, integration gradually ceased to be the norm. Intermarriages, in many cases, were frowned upon, and inter-GCC business partnerships became anomalies.
More recently, the need to diversify economically and to reinvest Khaleeji oil wealth in the region became paramount. At this point, most of the GCC countries had focused on developing the institutions required for economic activity, such as infrastructure needs, regulation and foreign direct investment. Prominent political and business figures, through the GCC, pushed for more flexibility and free movement of resources across boundaries in the region.
Consequently, business entities that had initially operated in only one country found ways to expand into neighboring GCC states. Today this can be witnessed in many industries, from Emaar Properties building cities in Saudi Arabia to the Al Futtaim group operating malls in Bahrain.
Although we have begun to see a revival of this Khaleeji integration recently, there has clearly been a shift in how it is perceived: witness my surprise at the Bahraini flag on the streetlights. Suddenly, the family not living on my street or the person from another tribe is considered “foreign”. Khaleejis have begun to forget the essence of what historically led to business success and made trust, loyalty and humility intrinsic elements of their personalities.
As I write this in Riyadh, sitting at a table with Saudis and Qataris, I look around to note with surprise that we are the only “integrated” table. As did our grandfathers, we have also met in pursuit of education in a foreign country. However, I think to myself, why are we not bonding in the way that previous generations did?
To maintain the integrity of the region and improve trade and business networks, it is incumbent upon every Khaleeji citizen to actively encourage and support integration and to fight this new perception of unfamiliarity. Although we have seen Emirati initiatives, Kuwaiti initiatives, Saudi initiatives and so on, we have yet to see true Khaleeji initiatives (which were very apparent with early merchants in the region). The recent recovery in GCC business collaboration is evident, and it should be further encouraged.
The time has come for every Khaleeji to rekindle the relationships with their brethren and collaborate in every aspect of life. The GCC today is ideally set up to allow for this integration. Only when every young entrepreneur thinks on a Khaleeji scale, every Khaleeji parent supports his or her son or daughter to be part of other Khaleeji families if they choose so, and every Khaleeji country facilitates this integration, will we be able to relive what our grandfathers had and more.
Only then will we benefit from the unlimited doors that will be opened through improved networks and integrated mentalities. That’s when every Khaleeji flag will be seen as a norm on our streetlights and greeted with pride rather than surprise. Let’s mingle, let’s unite, and let’s take that Khaleeji initiative.
Mohammed Kazim is an Emirati health-care analyst and commentator based in Abu Dhabi
The National Copy
Driving down Sheikh Zayed Road, I could not help but notice a new flag adorning the streetlights alongside that of the UAE: the flag of Bahrain. It was there to honour the marriage of the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to the son of the King of Bahrain.
Such relationships between GCC member states are not a new phenomenon, and can be traced back to a time before formal boundaries were known in the region. In fact, the intermingling of fellow “Khaleejis” occurred at many levels and for a plethora of reasons which range from maintaining peace and political stability to improving trade relationships and distribution networks.
Forms of collaboration between the inhabitants of the Arabian Gulf involved business partnerships and joint ventures, political treaties, loans and credit purchases, as well as marriages. Keep in mind that all this happened at a time when travel wasn’t as simple and convenient as it is today, and communication not as developed.
However, Khaleejis would still manage to congregate during travel for business, pilgrimage and education. For example, Khaleeji merchants who operated in India would frequently meet in Mumbai and Khaleeji students in Iraq or Egypt would spend time together. This level of collaboration was integral to the success of many prominent business families and for the development of society.
As these businesses and political powers were passed down to newer generations and borders began to play a more important role, the maintenance of these interstate relationships slowly faded. More regulation was introduced and the movement of labour and resources was to some extent restricted.
Then the discovery of oil created an entirely new lifestyle and introduced enormous wealth to the region. Every country was deeply focused on developing itself and businesses started benefiting from agency laws that restricted “foreign” institutions to using local distributors and sharing profits with them.
Despite its many advantages, this system also introduced another setback for Khaleeji integration. With these indirect barriers and the sudden emergence of wealth, new mentalities also evolved. With businesses and social activities focused locally, integration gradually ceased to be the norm. Intermarriages, in many cases, were frowned upon, and inter-GCC business partnerships became anomalies.
More recently, the need to diversify economically and to reinvest Khaleeji oil wealth in the region became paramount. At this point, most of the GCC countries had focused on developing the institutions required for economic activity, such as infrastructure needs, regulation and foreign direct investment. Prominent political and business figures, through the GCC, pushed for more flexibility and free movement of resources across boundaries in the region.
Consequently, business entities that had initially operated in only one country found ways to expand into neighboring GCC states. Today this can be witnessed in many industries, from Emaar Properties building cities in Saudi Arabia to the Al Futtaim group operating malls in Bahrain.
Although we have begun to see a revival of this Khaleeji integration recently, there has clearly been a shift in how it is perceived: witness my surprise at the Bahraini flag on the streetlights. Suddenly, the family not living on my street or the person from another tribe is considered “foreign”. Khaleejis have begun to forget the essence of what historically led to business success and made trust, loyalty and humility intrinsic elements of their personalities.
As I write this in Riyadh, sitting at a table with Saudis and Qataris, I look around to note with surprise that we are the only “integrated” table. As did our grandfathers, we have also met in pursuit of education in a foreign country. However, I think to myself, why are we not bonding in the way that previous generations did?
To maintain the integrity of the region and improve trade and business networks, it is incumbent upon every Khaleeji citizen to actively encourage and support integration and to fight this new perception of unfamiliarity. Although we have seen Emirati initiatives, Kuwaiti initiatives, Saudi initiatives and so on, we have yet to see true Khaleeji initiatives (which were very apparent with early merchants in the region). The recent recovery in GCC business collaboration is evident, and it should be further encouraged.
The time has come for every Khaleeji to rekindle the relationships with their brethren and collaborate in every aspect of life. The GCC today is ideally set up to allow for this integration. Only when every young entrepreneur thinks on a Khaleeji scale, every Khaleeji parent supports his or her son or daughter to be part of other Khaleeji families if they choose so, and every Khaleeji country facilitates this integration, will we be able to relive what our grandfathers had and more.
Only then will we benefit from the unlimited doors that will be opened through improved networks and integrated mentalities. That’s when every Khaleeji flag will be seen as a norm on our streetlights and greeted with pride rather than surprise. Let’s mingle, let’s unite, and let’s take that Khaleeji initiative.
Mohammed Kazim is an Emirati health-care analyst and commentator based in Abu Dhabi
The National Copy
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