Soapbox:

Royals and patriots

By Samir Sobhi

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History offers many examples of royal figures who used their privileges to do something good by their people. Our region is not in short supply of such figures. In Iraq, think Harun Al-Rashid and his sons, Al-Amin and Al-Maamoun. In Egypt, think Prince Youssef Kamal and Princess Fatemah. Prince Kamal was a champion of the arts and created what is now the Art College. Princess Fatemah, daughter of Khedive Ismail, sold her jewellery and donated her land to build what is now Cairo University.

In Jordan, Prince Al-Hussein Bin Talal comes to mind. His intellectual commitment to national revival is not just a moral stand, but an active duty. The prince met recently with Al-Ahram 's staff writers over an Iftar banquet. The prince was delighted that one of our most cherished poets, Ahmed Fouad Negm, has brought the voice of the poor to public notice across the Arab world. "What is the difference between what you may call the intelligentsia and the ordinary citizens who are entitled to their opinions, although they may not go to work for a newspaper such as yours?" he said.

It is this combination of power with compassion that we need to see more often these days. We need to see privilege toned by civic sense. We need the powerful to stand by the weak. We need the rich to care for the poor. And we need the rulers to identify with the common people. Ours is a culture of equality. Ours is a culture where power is more of an obligation than a privilege.

The Arab Thought Forum, which the prince founded, epitomises everything the Arab League is supposed to be about. We don't need to import ideas from abroad. Let's just follow our dreams and retain our compassion.

This week's Soapbox speaker is deputy editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram .