Jamil Fahmy is currently doing an MBA at the George Washington School of Business. We asked him what he thinks the political and economical consequences of the Arab uprising will be, about the role of internet and social media, and what it’s like for him watching developments from the United States.
What do you think will be the impact of uprisings in the Arab world on the populations and governments in the Middle East?
With regard to the people, the biggest impact so far has been a wave of public demand for government accountability and a fairer representation. It is definitely empowering, and has shifted the power scale towards the citizens, away from an opaque form of governance.
These days, if a government wants to remain relevant in the eyes of the people, particularly the youth, it needs a significant presence online. Washington DC is a good example: not only is it one of the most connected cities in the world, according to a recent study by The George Washington University School of Business , the White House is ranked among the largest users of social media. This speaks volumes to me. That is not to say that the American way is the best but they are opening new avenues of communication to allow their citizens’ voices to be heard.
People in the Arab world are seeing this development and yearning for the same liberties and freedom of expression. They express their desires on blogs and social media, where they find that other people think in the same way, and sooner or later a movement is born.
However, just because this change happened in some Arab states, it doesn’t mean it will happen in all of them. Some Arab governments are colluding for greater political continuity and the economic advantages it brings. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is the prime example of such a move towards monarchical solidarity.
For sure is that it is definitely an interesting time to be living in the Middle East!
What role did the Internet and social media play in the Arab Spring?
I think the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, as well as the ones currently taking place in Libya, Syria and Yemen, were bound to happen. The boom of the Internet and social media has introduced a powerful new dimension of transparency to global politics from which no country, under any political system, is immune.
And what do you think will be the business impact in the Middle East?
I would love to say that the Arab Spring will herald a new spring for Middle Eastern business, but that would just not be true. Despite moderate growth, global markets have been very shaky lately and the Arab world has been no exception. Overall, I am cautiously optimistic about business in the Middle East, and I think that the GCC is a very promising place to be.
I think it’s too soon to comment on a country like Egypt, which is undergoing constitutional and structural reform, with elections later on this year. I do believe that once the political and judicial landscape is in order, the economy will be on a much better footing to attract investment and spur growth. Egypt, like many dormant Arab countries, certainly has enormous potential to be an economic giant in the region.
How do you feel as an Arab watching it from afar?
I’m optimistic and uneasy at the same time. I’m thrilled the ‘dictatorship spell is broken’ in Egypt and Tunisia. I have close family living in Egypt, so the 11th of February will always be a memorable day for me. I think it’s great that Egypt has an opportunity to start with a clean state, with a new constitution and new legal enforcement practices that ensure fairness and justice.
But at the same time I’m worried that we might end up falling back into complacency, red tape, disagreements, and broken promises. In addition, there are other countries, whose people deserve to be heard, but whose leaders are holding on to power by all means necessary, even if it costs civilians’ lives.
It is time for the Arab youth to carry the torch for the Arab world from its predecessors, and reverse some false stigmas about the region. After February 11th, I genuinely felt that this dream was possible.
How is studying in the US as an Arab student, based on your experience?
Studying in the US has been a great experience so far. Being in a place like Washington DC helps you appreciate everything that is going on in the world because the city is truly international and it attracts very well educated people who understand what is going on in international affairs and business. This leads to highly engaging conversations about multiple areas of interest.
For example, after Mubarak stepped down there were many nationalities of people –not just Egyptians or Arabs – celebrating outside the Egyptian embassy.
Beyond DC, I have travelled to the West Coast and other parts of the East Coast for case competitions, vacations and other school-related events.
Based on my travels, experience and interactions with people, I can say I have thoroughly enjoyed living here. I am a firm believer that if history decides to turn its back on America and Britain, one thing it cannot deny is the quality of education they breed and export to the rest of the world. As an Arab Muslim, I hope this academic light spreads to the Middle East, improving the quality of life of more than 300 million Arabs.
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