HH PM’s mission impossible
We have reiterated this message numerous times, and we will continue to emphasize it as long as we draw breath: the advancement of the state is inexorably linked to embracing modernity and adopting enlightenment as our guiding principles.
As articulated by Professor Muhammad Al-Rumaihi and Professor Tawfiq AlSaif, among others, it is impossible for our government to have it both ways -- to embrace modernity while clinging to outdated traditions.
Those who attempt to straddle both worlds, seeking to modernize while simultaneously preserving old identities, are akin to those who wish to have their cake and eat it too. Ultimately, they will fail in both endeavors.
Tradition and modernity, as perceived by these individuals, are not mere labels we apply to different lifestyles, nor are they optional addons to be incorporated into existing frameworks. Clinging to tradition and venerating the antiquated wisdom of the past will not safeguard our future, nor will it maintain our current standing. Rather, it will inevitably lead to our defeat across all arenas.
Therefore, modernity, by its very nature, entails more than just superficial changes or incremental improvements to existing systems. It necessitates the gradual displacement of traditional practices, as the elements of modern life cannot coexist alongside their traditional counterparts. In the face of life’s challenges, our societies must choose between tradition and modernity -- they cannot occupy the same space simultaneously.
The internal conflict witnessed in our societies -- where the majority clamor for modernity yet fear abandoning tradition -- is deeply troubling. Many are torn between the necessity of embracing modernity and the reluctance to relinquish traditional beliefs and customs deeply ingrained in their souls. This inner turmoil manifests as contradictory behaviors, with individuals oscillating between embracing modernity by day and reverting to tradition by night.
Observing this phenomenon over decades, it becomes evident that we, as nations, are often incapable of confronting reality or speaking the truth.
Examples abound, illustrating how individuals within the same religious framework exhibit contradictory behaviors, striving to maintain a religious façade in public while leading a completely different life behind closed doors. This dichotomy leads to a double life, characterized by modernity during the day and tradition at night, encompassing not only behaviors but also values and convictions.
This internal conflict between modernity and tradition is unique to our societies, particularly among Muslims and Arabs.
The solution lies in embracing the principles of a civil state -- one that upholds modernity without forsaking tradition. Without this fundamental shift, achieving the objectives outlined in previous articles -- and indeed, the mission of His Highness the Prime Minister -- will remain an arduous task.