Reach Across

Arab Spring—quo vadis? 

A good majority of the 300 million people who live in predominately Arabic-speaking countries are under the age of 25, and the rate of population growth is between 30 to 40%. Most of these young people are growing up in a climate characterized by corruption, endless restrictions, and misuse of power. 

The economies of their countries aren’t keeping up with the increase in population, either. Access to precious resources like water and gasoline is tightening, and jobs are scarce. In Egypt alone there are nearly 750,000 college graduates each year, and even highly qualified academics can’t find work. They don’t see any opportunity to change their society or engage their situation in creative ways.

At the same time, these young people are informed about the world outside—social media like Facebook, YouTube, and chat rooms make sure of that. A person in Yemen knows within minutes what is happening in Tunisia. When Mohammed Bouazizi committed suicide on December 17, 2010, he started an unexpected avalanche of protest marches throughout the Arab world. Local police had confiscated his scales until he agreed to pay the expected bribe, but the 26-year old street vendor would not give in. 

After being beaten up more than once by the municipal authorities, Bouazizi couldn’t take the humiliation anymore. He set himself on fire in a main street of his rural town and died a month later. His deed set off a wave of indignation that quickly engulfed all of Tunisia, and rapidly spread to other places. Countless young people identify with this young man who simply wanted to earn an honest living, and was known for his willingness to give his produce away to the very poor.

We are familiar with the aftermath of Bouzizi’s death: within a few months, the regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya were toppled, and in many other countries, the pressure continues to grow, often accompanied by violent struggles. But did and will these protests lead to freedom of expression, justice, and fair elections? 

For many, the answer does not lie in Western ideas of human rights and democracy—they don’t want to exchange the repressive regime of despots for what appears to them to be an equally oppressive Western moral degradation. Arab nations wish to find Arab solutions to Arab challenges, and many still look to Islam. 

Other (non-Arab) majority-Muslim nations, like Turkey, have a much more ‘secular’ history, and a sizeable portion of its population rejects conservative Islamic conceptions , as has been evident in recent weeks. 
In any case, this ship of hope launched by the Arab Spring in Muslim political groups and parties is quickly running aground on the rocks of disillusionment. Syria, for example, continues to be more of an example of human tragedy than of Arab political awakening. 

It hard to evaluate all this from a Scriptural perspective.  On the one hand, the  desire for freedom to make one’s own decisions is a fruit of a Christian world-view and a God-given dignity. At the same time, true freedom is only found in fellowship with our Creator.

The bottom line for us who witness these events is that we are being challenged to pray for true peace and just governments in countries experiencing the Arab Spring. ReachAcross has workers in some of these countries, seeking to engage especially this younger generation, and hoping to bring about change—the kind that is based upon truth, respect, and above all, trust in the One who alone gave His life so that we may be truly set free. 

And in some places, the Gospel of Christ is gaining ground! 

Let us know if you would like be more informed about these situations so that you can pray more effectively. There are several good links for up-to-date information that we can share with you. 

This article is based upon an earlier one by the ReachAcross director in Germany, with revisions and additions by the US office.