“Mankind is from Adam and Eve; an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. A white person has no superiority over a Black person, nor does a Black person have any superiority over a white person, except by piety and good action.” – Prophet Muhammad, in his Farewell Sermon.
“Number one in your life’s blueprint should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth, and your own somebodiness. Don’t allow anybody to make you feel that you’re nobody. Always feel that you count, always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
These timeless quotes have profoundly shaped my view and understanding of equality and the inherent dignity of every individual. They resonate even in a world where power and wealth often dictate societal hierarchies.
Over the past two years, I have come to appreciate a fundamental truth: pure science—physics, mathematics, and chemistry—stands as the only absolute. It thrives on critical examination, experimentation, and the consensus of intellectual inquiry. In contrast, morality, values, human rights, leadership, and liberty are constructs—fluid and subject to interpretation, often shaped by those who wield power or influence.
Recent global events, such as the conflicts in Palestine and Ukraine, have starkly exposed the hollowness and hypocrisy underlying certain proclaimed “values.” These crises have revealed the double standards and racism that persist in international relations. We are a generation that witnessed a live genocide broadcast before the world’s eyes, where the very nations that champion “freedom,” “human rights,” “freedom of speech,” and “values” have supplied weapons and offered open diplomatic support, enabling the very genocide they claim to oppose.
However, the past two years have also marked an awakening in the Global South. Many nations in West Africa have expelled French neo-colonial forces, reclaiming their sovereignty and resources. This new assertiveness is reshaping the dynamics of global power. Turning the other cheek is no longer an acceptable response to neo-colonial mentalities. Instead, a firm, resolute stand against bullies and exploiters—along with sanctions against neo-colonial powers—should define this new era until the colonial mentality is completely eradicated.
Though people might have forgotten, the COVID-19 pandemic, in my opinion, was a paradigm shift and served as a litmus test for the global order. Contrary to expectations, developing and underdeveloped nations demonstrated remarkable resilience compared to developed countries. It prompted these nations to reassess alliances, reduce dependence on Western-dominated global systems, and prioritize self-reliance.
The pandemic demonstrated that the world no longer needs to depend on the West for technology and innovation. Countries like China and India are now capable of meeting global needs more cost-effectively and equitably. India, for instance, emerged as a crucial pharmaceutical hub, providing vaccines and medicines to marginalized countries that Western powers neglected.
Sanctioned and isolated nations such as Iran and Russia serve as living examples of resilience through indigenous innovation and self-reliance. Just as individuals must uphold their dignity, so too must nations on the international stage. Leaders who fail to elevate their nations’ dignity and sovereignty should have no right to lead. True leadership is about standing firm in the face of adversity and refusing to accept subjugation.
faznotes.com 
Leave a comment