Siraj Abu As-Saud
POVERTY, terrorism, corruption and other negative practices rampant in Arab and Muslim countries can only be eradicated when we end illiteracy and ignorance. We need to change our culture and the way we think. If we want to build a strong nation with strong societies, we need to be educated. Only intellectual people can combat corruption and other ills.
We should blame Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon when he said that Arabs do not read, and if they read they do not understand, and if they understand they do not act. The illiteracy rate in the Arab World is approaching 20 percent with only 49 percent of females enrolling in schools. That is why the illiteracy rate among women is double that of men.
The reading rate in the Arab World is simply a shame. According to a UNESCO 2008 report, the rate is six minutes of reading throughout the year. This is very shocking. These figures are simply painful. We live in complete ignorance, which is the cause of backwardness, corruption and poverty.
The Kingdom 2030 Vision should focus on solving this problem and raising the rate of literacy. We have to focus on building humans intellectually and culturally. Schools should adopt programs for encouraging students to read and equip them with strong reading skills. As far as I remember, some private schools ran reading contests to stimulate students to read and the results were magnificent and amazing. All government schools should establish a similar program.
Where is the media? Why are they only concerned with songs, movies, dancing and debates that widen the chasm between religious factions? Why are they not focusing on this important issue?
