On Arab Reform

From Al Jazeera News :

This special report is concerned with the increasingly pressing demand for reform in the Middle East. While few harbour any illusions over the need for such a compelling change, the disagreement centres on the question: How?

Some argue that introducing political reform to the Arab world is not a choice but an imperative given that Arab governments are interested in bringing their nations up to speed with the rest of the world.
Amr Musa, the secretary-general of the Arab League, tells Aljazeera.net in an exclusive interview that reforms must come from within.

His assertion seems to differ from the mantra-like statement repeated by those who oppose the US meddling in the region's affairs, especially following the unofficial introduction of the US-drafted Greater Middle East Initiative.

Danielle Pletka, the vice-president of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), advocates a contrary opinion. She tells Aljazeera.net that political reform in the Middle East is not only unavoidable, but that the US has a moral obligation to enforce it. Otherwise, she argues, it would not be fair to the rest of the Arab and Muslim world.

Meanwhile, Chris Patten, the European Union commissioner for external relations, discusses the EU role in this daunting task.

Shaikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a prominent Islamic scholar, on the other hand, takes on the issue of reform in terms of its compatibility with Islam, which, according to some, is itself in need of reform.
But where does the Arab intellectual stand in all this?

Aljazeera.net examines the viewpoint of several prominent Arab thinkers who champion an array of views and interpretations, each with a unique position that makes this subject all the more thought-provoking.

These questions, and more, are considered: Are Arab governments willing to espouse political reforms from the inside, provided that the majority rejects change imposed from the outside? Is the man on the street capable of being an effective player in the reform process? Is the US genuine in wanting to democratise the Middle East? And are there viable home-grown alternatives to the US initiative?
In Pursuit of Arab Reform is an attempt to answer these questions. At the least, it provides a platform to those who believe they have an answer.

Eid Mubarak

This is a posting from Ali Abdul Majid a member of AIESEC.

Today is Eid or the equivalent of Christmas for the Muslims all over the world. The religion of Islam has two Eids during the year. The first one is at the end of the fasting month, also known as Ramadan. To celebrate the end of that month, we have our first Eid. Today is our second Eid. On this day, Prophet Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son. This story I beleive is also believed by Christians. He was asked by God to sacrifice his son as a test of his faith. He took God's command and was going to proceed when God said you have passed my ultimate test. Instead of sacrificing your son, sacrifice an animal. On this day, Muslims sacrifice goats and cows and distribute it to the poor and needy.This Eid is the bigger one of the two.

This Eid is another one I wont be able to celebrate with my family. If you did not know, my family is living in Pakistan now. I have missed all Eids since like 2001. Imagine not getting to spend Christmas with your family for that long of a time. These are times when you wonder why did you abroad? Was it worth going half way around the world to get a degree and miss such important parts of the year? I went to the Eid prayers this morning and saw all families rejoicing and having fun. They were distributing presents to the little kids while others made plans to have a big lunch or dinner. I stood in the middle thinking I wish I was back home.

Introducing the Salaam Team

So who is working on this great program and how can you get in touch with them ? We have a team of people working across the world to make the Salaam program a success :

Egypt Salaam Co-ordinator : Chris Gassman - chris.gassman@aiesec.net

UAE Salaam Co-ordinator : Eric Hensel - intrus@gmail.com

Tunisian Salaam Co-ordinator : Lotfi Klaa - klaa_lotfi@hotmail.com

National President Morocco : Reda Elmaaroufi - reda.elmaaroufi@aiesec.net

We are still looking for someone to fulfil this role in Morocco so please post your comment if you are interested. The position is advertised on aiesec.net and will start ASAP.

USA Student Exchange Support : Claude Clodomir - claudec@aiesecus.org

USA Salaam Co-ordinator (US Students and Arab Companies) : Youssef Gaigi - youssefg@aiesecus.org

USA Salaam Co-ordinator (US Companies and Arab Students) : Jennifer Harwood - jenniferh@aiesecus.org

Our team grows bigger every day with countless members in each country raising positions for interns and giving students the opportunity to participate in the Salaam program. Join the team in your community today.

Taking the first step

What has been happening in the Salaam program in 2005 ? We currently have 11 people about to embark on life changing experiences ! From the US we have Jeff (Tunisia), Huma (Tunisia), Brian (Tunisia), Chris (Egypt) and Mariska (Tunisia) all about to start traineeships. Brian is already working in AMIDEAST Tunisia right now. And coming to the US we have Ahmad (Tunisia), Walid (Morocco), Shady (Egypt), Anis (Tunisia), Amine (Tunisia) and Amyen (Tunisia) all coming to St. Louis to work at MasterCard. Huge shout out to the Jill and the MasterCard team.

We will make sure all of these guys get set up on Nomadlife soon and we can see Salaam in action ! We have more people being interviewed right now so watch out for the Salaam program and Nomadlife to take off !!!

Salaam Online Learning Community

Welcome to the Salaam Online Learning Community where you can learn through the personal records of each participant about their experiences throughout their exchange.

For over 50 years, AIESEC has been using international, paid, professional internships to build cultural understanding among the next generation of leaders and to increase cooperation among youth of different nations. In the world today, there is a growing perceived divide between the United States and the Arab World and AIESEC feels that the exchange of young people is a critical solution to this burgeoning issue. There is an urgent need for young people from the Arab World and young people from the United States to understand the realities and cultures. There is an urgent need to build a new generation of business and societal leaders in the US and in the Arab World who understand the reality on the other side of the perceived divide and are able and willing to cross it. Only this will lead to the economic and social cooperation that stabilizes relations.

In response to this need AIESEC is launching the Salaam Initiative, a strategic effort to significantly expand the number of exchanges between the US and the Arab world, the number of Arab countries where AIESEC has a presence, and to develop customized learning programs that develop cultural understanding and cooperation among young leaders in the Arab World and the United States. AIESEC is running multiple programs as part of this initiative, including specific programs aimed at expanding our current operations into new Arab countries, programs focused on increasing the exchange opportunities available in the US for Arab students, and programs focused on providing Americans with opportunities in the Arab World.

This year the program will be organizing more than 55 internship exchanges between the US and the Arab World during 2005. 30 American graduate and under-graduate students will be provided with internships in Tunisia, Morocco, UAE, and Egypt and 25 students from these countries will come to the United States for internships. The three to twelve month internships will be in the fields of Business, Education, Community Development and Information Technology. In addition to the internship, students will be participating in community service activities, cultural events in their host country, and social events aimed at integrating the participants into the local culture.