Samar FatanyThe ministers of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) met last week to promote cultural interaction and mutual understanding among themselves, while building cultural bridges to reach people of different nations, faiths and ethnicities. The meeting signifies a more positive direction toward creating a more united GCC and a determined effort to address the negative image of Islam and the Arab Gulf heritage in the West. Promoting cultural interaction and mutual understanding among the people of the Gulf can strengthen the position of the Gulf states in the region. However, social activists in the Gulf assert that the only way to achieve a stronger GCC is by activating the social debate between religious scholars and reformers to address the current political and civil laws that are applied to govern the lives of citizens and the roles of women in particular. There are still many laws that discriminate against women based on cultural beliefs and traditions and outdated regulations that are detrimental to progress which need to be revised in order to build a stronger GCC presence in the region. In most of the Gulf countries there are still those who adhere to a rigid interpretation of Islam, and there are those progressive thinkers who dispute discriminatory rulings in the name of Islam. Decision makers need to address the ambiguities in the teachings of the Ulema, and more efforts need to be made to influence a collective stand toward a moderate Islamic rule to recognize the rights of all citizens . The way to build a more cohesive GCC begins with the will to amend laws, apply unified public policies, and establish effective institutions to implement them. There must be greater representation of women at all levels of government to address women's affairs and concerns. A more effective engagement of the youth in nation building can also help promote solidarity within the Gulf Cooperation Council. The debate among scholars and the lack of Muslim consensus on Islamic teachings continues to undermine our image and reflect badly on our culture and heritage abroad. The GCC must play a bigger role in integrating the perspectives of traditional Islam with those of contemporary human rights. It must strive to integrate Islamic teachings, universal human rights, and national constitutional guarantees of equality with the realities of men and women and provide opportunities for all citizens to better serve their governments, corporations and academic institutions. Gulf countries should put their house in order before reaching out to the global community for better understanding and global coexistence. The Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja who chaired the meeting of the GCC ministers stated that “Gulf states are ready to enhance people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation with the outside world." He said: “The culture in the GCC states is based essentially on two great sources -Islam and Arab heritage - that advocate tolerance and openness to others." The decision to enhance cultural cooperation with the outside world comes at a time when Islamophobia is on the rise and Western misconceptions are unchecked. Cultural exchange can play a very important role in building bridges of understanding. Enhancing people-to-people exchanges can also foster friendly relations and better understanding between different cultures. However, to achieve our desired goals opinion leaders stress the need for new policies to maintain outreach programs that could reverse the negative attitude toward the Gulf countries and Muslims. Policy makers must show more support for global organizations that acknowledge Muslim contributions and exhibit genuine good will toward Islam and Muslims. On the sidelines of the meeting, the GCC ministers honored 18 talented creative artists and popular cultural figures, who have promoted the culture and heritage of the Gulf states. We need to recognize more talented young men and women in the Gulf who can participate in international programs and activities to showcase their capabilities and willingness to contribute and develop a peaceful and prosperous world for people of different nations, faiths and ethnicities. Meanwhile, one of the most positive initiatives for the support of people-to-people cooperation is the global coalition of educators, writers and book publishers who come together to confront the continuous acts of defamation of Islam and the smear campaigns orchestrated against our heritage and people. The GCC countries cannot ignore their commitment to recognize the great potential of professional women and to explore new cultural and business opportunities between women in the Gulf and those in other cultures across the globe in order to promote our heritage and portray a more accurate picture of educated and progressive women in the Gulf. The participation of professional Gulf women in such initiatives can greatly contribute toward erasing negative stereotypes. There are also Muslim organizations in the West that deserve more support from Gulf governments to monitor publications, films, cartoons and other damaging stereotypes that propagate hatred and contempt against Islam in Europe and the US. These organizations advocate an end to hostilities and the elimination of the tensions and suspicions that are ruining relations between the Muslim world and the West. More prominence and support should be provided for global religious leaders who are seeking common grounds and are keen to build trust and respect among all religions. Media analysts in the Gulf are calling for better plans to put an end to the cycle of suspicion and discord that was based on false accusations and distorted information orchestrated by certain elements in the West to defame our culture and Muslim identity. The GCC should consider a more efficient media strategy and more effective outreach programs with partners in America who are sincere in their efforts to build bridges of understanding and eager to put an end to the demonization of Islam and Muslims in the United States. Gulf countries need to establish joint projects between faith-based organizations in order to foster better relations between Muslim communities and the West. The interfaith dialogue initiated by King Abdullah, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, needs to be given better attention by the GCC. More efforts need to be exerted to reach out to faith-based organizations to address the challenges of the 21st century and to reach out to the whole world to promote global prosperity. Let us hope that peaceful partners and allies — as well as religious leaders — will continue to hold on to a spirit of good will and mutual respect in order to regain the peace of the world and a better future for our younger generation. — Samar Fatany is a radio broadcaster and writer. She can be reached at [email protected]
