Close up:

Shining stars

By Salama A Salama

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Forward-looking societies look for elements of change that would enrich their minds and experience. They look for the kind of individuals who can bring a breath of fresh air into public life.

Recently, Time issued a special edition about the 100 most influential people in the world. The US magazine didn't focus solely on America and Europe, but chose people from across the world: revolutionaries and leaders, artists and scientists, athletes and writers. The criterion for selection was not power or popularity; but the ability to inspire. The individuals the magazine selected were people who reflect the spirit of the age and who serve as role models for others.

Rulers and tyrants, it is true, can also change the world. They can do so with force or repression. There are people in this world who have the money and guile to make things happen. There are wheelers and dealers who exercise influence through corruption or pressure. But the changes such people make are often destructive.

That Time included Amr Khaled in its selection came as a surprise to many in this country. Some were even shocked and antagonised by the choice. The Egyptian preacher, who appeals to millions of young people in the Arab world, is regarded by many as a symbol of tolerance and moderation as well as a man who advocates dialogue among all creeds. And yet that wasn't enough to convince those who believe the official narrative. In closed societies, freedom is a rare currency. It is inconceivable for public figures to emerge without permission. It was alarming for many to see someone transcending the usual barriers to reach out to the public, as Khaled did.

Sources of talent and creativity dry up when societies quash individuality and preclude fresh thinking. No voice is allowed to rise above that of the leader. Stars cannot shine; ideas cannot soar without endorsement from upon high. This is how things are in Arab and Islamic societies. The media saves its prime spots for presidents and top officials, as well as their families and friends. These are the ones who are allowed to remain in the public eye. Others should keep quiet.

In his programme "Life Makers", Khaled teaches the young to do something with their lives, while advising them to maintain a balance between life and religion. This is something our official clerics and government preachers couldn't do. Interestingly, an alliance emerged between the official clergy of Al-Azhar and the security forces in order to exclude Khaled from the public eye.

In the West, people look for new faces, as Time did. But in the Arab world we do the exact opposite. Should an official Egyptian or Arab magazine take the time to look for true stars in our midst, it would find many. But it would have to look beyond the surface. It would have to go beyond the glamour and the official veneer, where mediocrity dwells. Dozens of brilliant and influential people have presented new ideas. Hundreds have followed their dreams and gained respect in their fields. But the media is not talking about them. The media is busy covering athletes, artists and politicians.