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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 9 -15 November 2000 Issue No.507 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 9 -15 November 2000 Issue No.507
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Books Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Big league blues
By Salama A. Salama
Qatar's failure to take action against Israel, shutting down the Israeli commercial bureau within its borders, could have a negative impact on the upcoming Organisation of the Islamic Conference summit, to be held next week in Doha. Iran has warned that if Qatar does not cut off relations with Israel in compliance with the decisions of the Cairo Arab summit, the Islamic summit will be held elsewhere.
Following the Cairo summit, it was assumed that Qatar would follow Morocco, Tunisia and Oman's initiatives. Three weeks on, however, the Qatar administration (whose actions have been characterised by frequent departures from the consensus) is still refraining from making a decision on the pretext of studying the situation, a position that might result in Iran or other countries not taking part in the OIC meeting. This may, in turn, undermine the Islamic consensus on the harrowing problems now facing the Islamic world, Jerusalem and the Intifada being top of the list.
No explanation or justification has hitherto illuminated Qatar's position, whose connection with Israel is an obscure and incomprehensible realm of shadows. The ambiguity is compounded by Al-Jazira satellite channel, whose controversial role has caused many a crisis in Arab countries, from Kuwait and Morocco to Egypt. It is true that Al-Jazira's coverage stands out in terms of comprehensiveness, independence and sheer speed, but in terms of its analysis, documentation and debate, it fails to implement policies that provide Arab viewers with knowledge or that encourage constructive criticism and discernment as the foremost instruments of freedom of expression. On the contrary, Al-Jazira has played a demoralising role, separating the Arabs further.
In the absence of all but the faintest gesture towards establishing an effective base for democracy in most Arab political orders, either the media turns into an instrument in the service of the powers that be, or it works to distract people from the issues at hand by providing entertainment and escape. For the media to be a true channel of information and free expression, placed in the service of society and intended to raise levels of awareness, level-headed media policies are needed, as are the fully democratic conditions under which such policies thrive. It is only natural that a free, responsible media that champions objectivity and independence should not emerge in an undemocratic environment, where the ruling order considers itself above criticism and operates without constitutional binds or moderating influences.
Qatar's problem is that it is a very small, very rich state, with massive ambitions that far surpass its current capabilities. Yet it wants to play with the big boys, and the role it will play must comply with the ambitions of its rulers. It seems that Qatar wishes to preserve its sovereignty and independence among many entities in a strategically sensitive region that continues to be full of riches, greed, border disputes and foreign military bases.
The drive to be distinguished among its neighbours takes no account of its own perils. Yet some questions remain unanswered: Why is Qatar so eager to host large-scale international conferences on controversial topics at critical moments (the Middle East economic conference, held two years ago in Qatar with Israeli participation, being one example)? And why does Al-Jazira continues to play its controversial role despite the havoc it has already caused?
Qatar has the right to act according to its rulers' decisions, and Al-Jazira has the right to voice its owners' opinions. But this is likely to be a case of a sparrow that, tired of its colour, paints itself black, bringing upon itself ostracism and eventual destruction.
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