Arab journalists, lawmakers call for media reform at Dubai summit
'Whether we like it or not, the world changed after Oct. 7, 2023,' said Hussein, editor-in-chief of the Egyptian daily Al-Shorouk. 'I am proud to stand with the Arab League, but we are deeply divided.'
Hussein spoke during a panel alongside Yacoubian, Lebanese journalist and member of parliament, and Al-Rumaihi, Kuwaiti author and sociology professor.
'For the first time in the Arab world, we're witnessing significant transformation,' said Yacoubian. 'We are beginning to build our own foundation.'
While acknowledging developments such as the Syrian Arab Republic's tentative steps toward stabilization, and the formation of a new Lebanese government, the panelists underscored persistent structural challenges across the region.
'The Israeli dream is to divide Syria — so what are Arabs doing in response?' Yacoubian asked, pointing to regional inaction and disunity.
Each panelist offered a distinct perspective on the root causes of the Arab world's instability.
'Political Islam and the manipulation of religion remain among the most serious internal conflicts we face,' said Al-Rumaihi.
Hussein echoed this sentiment: 'Political Islam is the biggest threat we face today. While many talk about solutions, few are willing to diagnose the real disease.'
Despite differing viewpoints, the panelists agreed on one point: media and education must be at the heart of efforts to heal political rifts.
'Arab education is classical,' Al-Rumaihi noted. 'We need to provide an education to give people immunity against anything the media says.'
Hussein added: 'Many can't comprehend the evolving language of today's youth. The Arab world remains in the dark, and our leaders are enabling this. Without free media, we cannot survive.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan, UAE agree to boost cooperation in higher education, human resources
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in higher education and human resource development, the Pakistani embassy said on Saturday. The statement came after a meeting between Pakistan's Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi and Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmanan Al-Awar, the UAE minister of human resources, higher education and scientific research. The UAE is home to more than 1.5 million Pakistani expatriates who live and work in the Gulf country and send back more than $5 billion in remittances to the South Asian country annually. During the meeting, Ambassador Tirmizi highlighted the contributions of the Pakistani community to the UAE's development and appreciated the Gulf country for fostering an inclusive and enabling environment for expatriates. 'Both sides reviewed ongoing collaboration and explored avenues to further enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of higher education and human resource development,' the Pakistani embassy said. 'The discussions reflected a shared resolve to work closely on initiatives that benefit students, academic institutions, and professionals from both countries.' Ambassador Tirmizi reiterated Pakistan's commitment to strengthening institutional linkages and advancing cooperation in skill development and workforce preparedness. 'Minister Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Awar lauded the longstanding and brotherly relations between the two countries and expressed the UAE's keen interest in expanding its partnership with Pakistan in mutually beneficial areas,' the Pakistani embassy said. 'He welcomed sustained dialogue and coordination between the relevant authorities of both nations.'
Arab News
20 hours ago
- Arab News
Syria's reintegration highlights deepening intra-Arab ties
Morocco and Syria in May announced they would reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen their respective embassies in Damascus and Rabat — a symbolic but powerful signal of Syria's reintegration into the Arab world. The move, which comes ahead of a potential visit to Morocco by Syrian leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa, represents a key step forward in Arab unity after years of fragmentation. Damascus' isolation started with the outbreak of civil war in 2011 and was further deepened by Syria's alignment with Tehran. These developments left the country diplomatically estranged from much of the Arab world. The Assad regime's actions resulted in Syria's exclusion from the Arab League, making it a regional outlier for years. That started to change with Syria's readmission to the Arab League in 2023, an important, albeit largely symbolic, first step. The real shift came with the fall of Bashar Assad, which paved the way for a new era under Al-Sharaa's leadership. Since taking power, Al-Sharaa has adopted a clear diplomatic strategy to restore Syria's standing in the Arab region. This direction is not new for Syria, a country long regarded as a key champion of pan-Arabism. Arab nationalism and pan-Arabist ideology were born in Syria during the late Ottoman Empire, with influential figures such as Rashid Rida and Michel Aflaq, among many others, playing a foundational role in promoting Arab unity and independence from both Ottoman and European colonial power. Today, that legacy continues under Al-Sharaa's leadership. He has embraced a nationalist narrative built on unity and trust. 'Syria will not be used to attack or destabilize any Arab or Gulf country,' he declared, calling on regional partners to help rebuild the country 'as part of the Arab world.' Al-Sharaa's first priority was clear: reestablish Syria's legitimacy on the Arab stage. In February, he made his first official foreign visit to Riyadh, meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The agenda included the lifting of economic sanctions, the return of refugees and counterterrorism coordination. This was a strategic move, as Saudi Arabia's engagement signaled to the other Gulf states that Syria was serious about distancing itself from past alliances and forging a new, Arab-centric direction. Since taking power, Al-Sharaa has adopted a clear diplomatic strategy to restore Syria's standing in the Arab region. Zaid M. Belbagi Al-Sharaa's diplomacy extended quickly to Qatar and the UAE, where talks centered on reconstruction and long-term regional cooperation. The following month, Syria presented its reform agenda. In Jordan, agreements and talks focused on enhancing border security and joint efforts to combat the illicit captagon trade, which is a growing concern for both Amman and Riyadh. Syria also regained membership of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Kuwait announced the imminent reopening of its embassy in Damascus. Beyond high-level visits and embassies reopening, deeper forms of collaboration are also emerging, particularly in reconstruction and infrastructure. In May, Syria and Jordan agreed to form a Higher Coordination Council, marking a significant new phase in their bilateral relations. The deal includes plans to review the 1987 Yarmouk River agreement, reinvigorate joint water committees and explore regional energy integration. Jordan and Syria are also reviving electricity grid links and Qatar has confirmed the supply of 2 million cubic meters of natural gas per day through Jordan, boosting Syrian power generation by 400 megawatts with the aim of doubling its electricity supply. Added to this is the deal of the year for Damascus: a $7 billion agreement with a consortium of companies from the US, Qatar and Turkiye that aims to overhaul Syria's shattered energy and electricity sector. Renewed cooperation and deepening engagement with countries across the region is producing tangible outcomes for Syria. Zaid M. Belbagi The economic impact is already visible. In the first quarter of 2025, 88 contracts were signed for the Syrian-Jordanian free zone at Jaber-Nasib, with more than 800 investors awaiting approval. Daily truck traffic at the border has tripled and Syria's exports to Jordan hit $23.7 million in February alone, a notable increase from just $5.4 million the year before. The growing number of diplomatic visits and expanding trade relations between Syria and countries in the region reflect a broader consensus among Arab states: the time has come to reengage Syria. Al-Sharaa's openness to strengthening ties with the Gulf states, particularly in terms of trade and energy, signals a shift toward deeper integration between the Levant and the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as more broadly across the Middle East. What began as cautious diplomatic overtures are now materializing into concrete outcomes, paving the way for a better future for Syria. The lifting of American and European sanctions has already enabled the financing of new projects, which are vital to enable the success of the country's reconstruction plan. Besides, with the active support of key Arab states, international organizations are returning to Syria. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have stepped in to repay Syria's $15.5 million debt to the World Bank and to help cover part of the salaries of Syrian civil servants. This renewed cooperation and deepening engagement with countries across the region is producing tangible outcomes for Syria. Al-Sharaa's government is not only reopening embassies and conducting diplomatic visits, but also actively reopening Syria to the region, driven by shared interests in stability, trade and reconstruction. As such, Syria's reintegration stands as a clear indicator of a deepening Arab rapprochement, one that is expected to result in more concrete returns, shaping promising geopolitical alignments and reinforcing ties among Arab states.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Israeli military prepares plan to ensure Iran cannot threaten country, defense minister says
DUBAI: The Israeli military is preparing an enforcement plan to 'ensure that Iran cannot return to threaten Israel,' Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz told senior military officials. He said the military must be prepared, both in intelligence and operations, to ensure Israel has air superiority and to prevent Tehran from reestablishing its previous capabilities. He made his remarks following a 12-day air war between the longtime enemies in June, during which Israel struck Iranian nuclear facilities, saying the aim was to prevent Tehran developing a nuclear weapon. Iran denies seeking nuclear arms and that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes. Israel and Iran agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire that ended hostilities on June 24.
