As tragic as Mohamed Bouazizi's death is, as well as that of the demonstrators that followed, there is something invigorating about the uprising in Tunisia. It is perhaps its spontaneity, its lacks of designated leaders that give it the feel of a genuine, popular uprising and not an ideologically-driven coup destined to serve the desires of a narrow constituency. It is easy as an Arab, to resign oneself to the fact that the region's stagnant and sclerotic political systems are immovable and immutable. It is exactly this state of hopelessness and inertia that most of the region's leaders strive to instill in their people. It kills hope, prevents progress and keeps the leaders in power. So I hope that the leaders across the region take note and that a cold chill runs down their spine as they watch the events in Tunis unfold; perhaps it will make them reconsider their ways.
One can only hope that the passion of the people of Tunisia is infectious and that other citizens of the region are aroused from their slumber. It will not be, I suspect, like a rapidly spreading epidemic and more like a slow virus. It is likely that it is Tunisia's particular circumstances that made such a popular uprising leading to a non-violent change in government possible. Regardless, the Tunisians set a precedent that is hard to ignore. Political and civil society activists in the region will certainly learn a lot from the Tunisian experience.
Meanwhile, the Syrian blogsphere remains in slumber mode. Except for some sharp commentary by
Qunfuz, one would think that not much is happening across the Mediterranean.
(Photo: Tunisian students spelling out the words: No to murder)
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