Offering global solutions

Being a bystander in the time of need and heinous atrocities is never an option. It is particularly immoral when these atrocities are being broadcast and live tweeted. The excuse can no longer be of lack of knowledge or being unaware.

As the crisis in Syria unfolds, with millions of innocent men, women and children from Aleppo sending their final goodbyes to the world, we should ask ourselves, how did we receive that message? Our inaction, speaks just as loud and clear, as our action would. The speech of our inaction is neither pretty nor dignified. It is vile, ugly and inhumane.

The argument that we are poor and unable to help is fundamentally flawed. The only poverty that stops us from helping is the poverty of decency and imagination. The other argument defending our inaction is that we should first get our own house in order, before helping others is important, but only marginally so. Why should we ignore those who are in urgent need? Why can we not do both, focus on our problems and do something for whom death seems more attractive than living another day. In a globalized village, why should we see our neighbors being slaughtered and their houses being burned down, and look the other way?

The problems in Aleppo are indeed complex, and there are many facets to who bears responsibility. Indeed, there are many who share the blame. But one thing is clear and needs no political spin. Innocent children, like our own kids, are suffering in ways that words cannot express. The questions of betrayal in the innocent eyes of the children should haunt us, and force us to think what we can do to ease their pain. No one group of people has a monopoly on humanity and decency. I understand that politics of the region is as complex as it gets. The interests of great powers are all intertwined and have resulted in a colossal tragedy. Yet, there are issues in health, financial assistance and logistical support that are well within our reach. The innovative minds of the country, be it in technical disciplines or in health, have the capacity to contribute. Be it an app that tilts the balance from death to life, or support to the white helmets who are saving millions, the canvass of help is large, and waiting to be filled by the colours of our creativity.

It is not just individuals alone who have a fundamental moral responsibility to help. Institutions have a role to play as well. Educational institutions, particularly universities,are ideal places to discuss ideas and ways in which the society can contribute. They are also platforms to engage students, researchers and scholars to see what can be done, and how do we do our bit. The discussions may be rowdy and unruly, but we have to think, debate and discuss our options and our moral responsibility.

Beyond individuals and institutions, we also have to recognize that our government has failed to take a stance that is just or moral. It is not about antagonizing our western neighbor, or to freeze the thawing relations with Russia. It is about standing up for the children who are the face of a holocaust in our own times. We have to put pressure on our elected representatives to stand with those who are the victims and do what they can in their capacity to ease the suffering. We have to do more, and we have to demand more of ourselves, and of our government.

We are seeing a calamity on a scale the world has not seen for decades and if out of either false pragmatism, selfishness or complacency, we decide to look the other way, history will not be kind to us. And it would be justified to judge us among those who were complacent and complicit in murder. There is still time, though it is disappearing fast, to change course.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2016.

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