The Blog of Akeel Haider

It’s Bieber revolution fever all over the Arab world - whos’s next?

Will 2011 be the year of the fallen dictators? Will it be the year the Arab youth find their way to democracy?

The hope is that this new Arab Internet generation sees the world in a positive, modern, and secular way. The hope is they demand to be part of the democratic world community. So far that is what they have been standing for.

The fear of islamic states or radical islamic parties taking power in these countries is unfounded so far. Islam is part of the society and fabric in all Arab countries, but the demands of the protesters are not based on ethnic or religious foundations, they are simply based on the need for democracy and better representative governments that can provide basic human rights, social justice, and equality under law.

Iran and Saudi Arabia have been dreadful examples of how religion and government work together and the Arab youth have taken notice.

We are still waiting now for the Libyans, Bahrainies and Yamanese to have their final say. New Arab countries may very well join the revolution fever and we are seeing signs in Algeria, Morocco, and other places.

The latest now is Iraq.  Iraq’s youth are mobilizing and organizing on Facbook to protest in Baghdad on February 25 calling it the day of the Iraqi revolution.

Their plan is to protest peacefully at Baghdad’s Tahreer Square in the middle of the capital to show discontent with their dysfunctional, corrupt and sectarian government, lifting slogans like no to oppression, no to nepotism, no to torture, and no to injustice among others.

Websites like www.seculariraq.org are calling for the separation of religion and state which they say is a major hurdle to the advancement and progress of the country.

Yes there is democracy in Iraq now with democratic elections and parliamentary constitution, but there is still a great deal of corruption and government incompetency. 

With 6000 years of Iraqi Mesopotamian heritage from Babylon to Assyria, Iraqis have great pride in their history, but just like other Arab countries, they are yet to see a government that respects basic human rights and provides efficient administrative services to its people.