On Wednesday, UNM Valencia mathematics professor Khaled Kassem gave a lecture on the Arab Spring series of revolutions in the Arab world, detailing causes of the uprisings, the results and possible solutions to the political problems in Arab countries.
“(The Arab Spring) started somewhere in 2010, continued in many Arab countries, and in fact in some places it is still going on,” Kassem said.
Kassem, a Yemen native, said that Syria and Yemen are two countries still involved in the Arab Spring, embroiled in civil war instead of simple protests. Kassem said that the Arab Spring emerged from economic, political and religious turmoil, which led to the citizens rebelling against their countries’ governments.
“The Arab world is full of corruption, bad economics, lack of political freedom, poverty, poor living conditions and fake elections,” Kassem said. “All of these are some of the reasons behind the Arab Spring.”
Kassem said it is commonly thought that Mohamed Bouazizi’s suicide demonstration of self-immolation began the series of revolutions.
“Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor who was slapped by a policewoman for violating the rules of where he should stay to sell his items in the street — it was like the beginning moments, some people think it is,” Kassem said.
Kassem addressed the idea that Bouazizi’s martyrdom may not have been the cause of the revolution.
“Some people argue that there was a deal between the U.S. and the Muslim Brotherhood supported by Qatar and Turkey,” Kassem said. “Personally, I hope this is a fact: if it was, it’s something to the benefit of both the Arab world and the American interest.”
Kassem said that there are also rumors that there were plans to attack Libya as early as 2009.
“What happened in Tunisia was better and a little more peaceful, it’s probably the only country that’s had success,” Kassem said. “The reason for that is the three major movements there — liberals, Islamists and the old regime — came to an agreement: ‘Let’s rule the nation with democracy.’”
Kassem said the deal wasn’t well-received by some individuals because of the lack of representation of the opinion of those involved in the revolution.
“I agree with people negotiating and coming to a deal, and that’s why some of these organizations have received Nobel Prizes,” Kassem said.
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Kassem said that one of the major outcomes of the Arab Spring is that citizens of the Arab world are more confident in defying their governments, and as a result their governments are careful not to oppress their people.
“To put this whole thing in perspective, the Arab world is only 15 percent of the Muslim world,” said Sami Shakir, a local physicist who attended the lecture. “The rest of the Muslim world is doing fine ... they don’t have the same kind of problems.”
Shakir, 62, said that more focus needs to be directed at the problems of the Arab world.
Kassem said that the depth of corruption in the Arab world is present in most places.
“These countries have too much corruption, you cannot imagine how far it’s reached,” Kassem said. “It can be so bad in some countries that you can put me in jail for $100, I get out and put you in jail for $300. I’m not proud to say that, but it is happening like that.”
Kassem said that western countries, including the United States, want the Middle East to not pose a threat to any state or country (including Israel) and to apply the ideals of democracy and human rights.
“This will only happen when the Syrians are saving their houses, and when the 19 million Egyptians have some food to eat,” Kassem said.
Kassem said that western governments are putting pressure on countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran to reach deals, and such talks are being facilitated by the United Nations Kassem said that by the end of the month such deals will be reached by the two parties.
“I think the Arab Spring is a good start if it continues in the right way.” Kassem said.
Fin Martinez is a reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @FinMartinez.
