"نقل الصراعات إلى المهجر" .. انتقادات تطال النخب العربية في الغرب

"Transplanting Conflicts Abroad": Criticism of Arab Elites in the West

Challenges and Criticisms of Arab Elites

Khatar Abou Diyab, a professor of political science at the International Center for Geopolitics in Paris, expressed veiled criticism of Arab elites in France and Western countries. He argued that these elites lack genuine dialogue among themselves due to the transfer of conflicts from Arab nations to their adopted homes.

During a session titled "The Experience of Arab Communities Abroad: Positives and Negatives" at the 45th edition of the Assilah International Cultural Festival, Abou Diyab stated, "There is no genuine Arab-Arab dialogue, even among the Arab elites who have become integrated in the diaspora, or between the communities themselves."

He further highlighted that Arab communities in Western nations face the challenge of "transporting national conflicts and ideological animosity from their home countries."

The Need for Cultural Bridging and Representation

Abou Diyab emphasized that Arab elites in the West have a responsibility to play a positive role in the affairs of their home countries. He argued that they should act as cultural intermediaries, leveraging the strengths of democratic systems to address issues and counter extremist views directly.

He also stressed the importance of economic support provided by Arab communities to their home countries, calling for a more reciprocal relationship. He proposed enhanced engagement, better representation, and a sharing of experiences and ideas.

The Role of Arab Elites in Counteracting Stereotypes

Katya Ghosn, a critic and professor at the University of Paris VIII, pointed out that Arab cultural elites in France encounter a fundamental challenge: the Arab culture they bring with them remains "subjected to the dominance imposed, directly and indirectly, by the political and cultural orientations of the host country."

She added that dominant cultures attempt to assimilate and control anything that differs from them, drawing on the words of the Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci. Despite this, Ghosn acknowledges that democratic frameworks in Western countries allow for "space for disagreement and conflict, enabling Arab elites to find platforms to express the cultures and aspirations of their Arab countries and raise their flags."

However, Ghosn lamented the "narrowing of these spaces" due to the influence of dominant political and media narratives that often reduce Arabs to the image of extremist and radical Islamists. She noted that certain events that shook public opinion in recent years have contributed significantly to reinforcing this stereotype.

Ghosn concluded that the media's exaggeration of the issue of the hijab and the rise of certain political and media figures who openly promote the clash of civilizations theory have further solidified this stereotypical image of the Arab community. This has negatively impacted the relationship between intellectuals and their home countries.