Hope for Change - Libya Post

Opinion: Hope for a Change – by Hussain Abdulrazzaq Kreiba

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Changing the cultural background of a society is not the issue to be discussed here. Each nation has its cultural heritage which is part of its identity and of which the nation feels proud of. 

The life of the Libyans seems to be influenced by their political experience with Gaddafi's oppressive rule; such an experience has considerably shaped their behaviour. 

Therefore, what is needed is far from changing our identity as a people, but correcting some of the conceptions prevailed during Gaddafi's despotic regime. There is an urge for a change, but "how" is the question! 

Assessing the circumstances that have led to a state of chaos and confusion for over four decades represents an important step towards diagnosing the Libyan case and prescribing the proper remedy. 

The government has a central role to play in implementing the change. The whole system needs to be improved. Any comprehensive reform should cover the political, economic and social aspects of our life. Practical measures must be taken. 

The change also requires improving the quality of all public services. People in power should be servants seeking the comfort of the public rather than masters treating the public with inferiority and contempt. Such aims cannot not be achieved if Gaddafi's ineffective laws are still applied. 

The Libyans have a role to play in changing the country for the best through their civilized behaviour, mutual respect and national reconciliation. It strengthens our national unity to have all Libyans constituting a homogenous community in terms of having the same religion and culture. 

A political change that meets our expectations lies in building all the institutions necessary for the establishment of a democratic state. Forming a constitution backs the political stability of Libya, and accordingly puts its government's strategies into effect. 

Libya today is not that of yesterday. Establishing a new democratic Libya is the shared responsibility of all. In the process of rebuilding their country, the Libyans are starting from ground zero.

A nation that was forced to live in sheer darkness for decades has to realize that it is time for a practical action to be taken so as to recover from its deep wounds and illnesses, put everything on the right tract and build a solid system.

The Libyans need to live up to their expectations by creating the best possible environment for that. The urgent precondition for the stability of Libya lies in coming to terms with ourselves and then with others around us. 

The desperate need to develop Libya and take it from bottom up to top requires a great sense of patriotism. That is neither an

impossible aim to achieve nor a kind of great sacrifice. Awareness of what we should do for Libya is without doubt the real window of hope through which a change can be made. 

Of course, people differ and in many instances are never expected to agree on an issue of a public concern. But when the matter is so important that it concerns the whole nation, a compromise must be unavoidable. In such a case the interest does not belong to one but all. 

Democracy is about tolerating the difference and organising it in a way that leads to a compromise. When people disagree on the person to be appointed to a particular position, the decision is determined through the elections of which regulations and laws are agreed on by all people. Accordingly, all are expected to accept the election results. 

The aim is clearly set and so are the means by which it will be realised. There is no chance for a backward movement. All share the responsibility to move forward and take the initiative to be active participants in making the change.

Libya is our homeland. It is the place where we have been brought up. It is the real hope for our children who dream of a bright and prosperous future ahead of them: Libya is the place where we all feel safe and secure at all times. And if kept away from it, the feeling of homesickness will never fade away.

(The author is a Staff Member at Al-Mergib University, College of Education- Zliten, Department of English, Email: hussain.kreiba@yahoo.co.uk)

The author is a Staff Member at Al-Mergib University, College of Education- Zliten, Department of English, Email: hussain.kreiba@ya