Another type of Globalization

Another type of Globalization
Means an integrated and supportive economy that woks for peace and not for war. We know from experience which are the results of wars. Wars provoke more poverty and more hunger in the world. A real global economy cannot accept that millions of people in the world suffer from hunger and lack or food as they suffer today. Our first task is the humanization of our societies and this means working continuously on different fronts at the same time.

“Beware practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; …(…). But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret…(…).” (23)
Opening ourselves to global communication in an open and sincere dialogue will make us see that our problems are not so different from the problems of the other people. We will then see that unity creates the necessary strength and capability to change the urgent matters that have to be changed soon.


IV.-International Responsability
Political and social leaders.
“……(…..) Certainly, Allah, the Sublime, has made it obligatory on true leaders that they should maintain themselves at the level of low people so that the poor do not cry over their poverty.” (24)
The management of global issues in the 21st century will require the active participation of all members of the international community. The developing countries with 80 per cent of the world´s population, must be part of a shared vision for this new century. The success or failure of poor people and poor countries in making their way in an interdependent world will have a profound influence in shaping the 21stCentury.
One should chose to be among the persecuted, rather than the persecutors. (25)

The heads of States and Governments representative, gathered together at the United Nations General Assembly in New York between the 6th and the 8th of September 2000, adopted the “United Nations Millennium Declaration”.
Allow me to highlight one of the most relevant points that make reference to “dignity, equality, equity, vulnerable people and extreme poverty”.
- “We recognize that, in addition to our separate responsibilities to our individual societies,, we have a collective responsibility to uphold the principles of human dignity, equality and equity at the global level. As leaders we have a duty therefore to all the world´s people, specially the most vulnerable and, in particular children of the world, to whom futures belongs. (Values and Principles, Point I, paragraph 2)

Here is my servant, whom I uphold my chosen, in who my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to nations.” (26)
As long as there is a contradiction between the stands of righteous and the corrupt ways of worldly societies, there will be those righteous people who will rise up and call society and their rulers to account. This people will put their lives at risk to speak out for the welfare of the community.
“If however, you warn the righteous not to sin, and they do not sin, they shall surely live, because they took warning; and you will have saved your life.” (27)

All authorities and international actors shall respect and ensure respect for their obligations under international law, including human rights and humanitarian law, in all circumstances.
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it”. (28)

The chief concern of any government should be the welfare of its citizens. Therefore the ruler, and hence the government, should be like parent to the people, putting their concerns and needs ahead of his own. The ruler should give his highest consideration to the poor and provide them sufficient means of support. Such a government will be respected by the people, who then will easily submit to its rule.

Guardianship is not to give an order but to give one´s self. (29)
Government should operate impartially and with integrity. Its leaders should be honest, moral, and virtuous people, who will no take bribes or act corruptly. Because people look up to a nation´s leaders as role models, they should set a good example for people.
“The best deed of a great man is to forgive and forget. “ (30)

Religious Leaders
Argue only in the best way with the People of the Book, except with those of them who act unjustly. Say, “We believe in what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you: our God and your God are one (and the same); we are devoted to Him.” (31)

Syria´s Grand Mufti Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassoun opening his address to Members of the European Parliament, on Tuesday 15th of January 2008, saying:
“Religion gives civilization its moral values but culture is something that we built”, he stressed adding that religion “is the work of God” whereas civilization is created by mankind.
“We do not believe, in our region, in the multiplicity of religions. Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohamed (Pbuh) came with one single religion”. Therefore, “there is no holy war, because a war can never be holy; it is peace that is holy”.

Then they came up and laid hands upon Jesus and seized him. And Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off this ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish buy the sword.” (32)

Interreligious dialogue recognizes the plurality of the world´s religious systems as a valuable resource for discovering and working together toward a common goals.
Dialogue begins with the willingness to question and to be questioned. Dialogue requires an effort to comprehend the inherent value of difference in this complex global society. Dialogue is the only instrument to achieve a real peaceful world based on mutual respect and understanding.

“All states shall take effective measures to prevent and eliminate discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief ….(…..) All states shall make all efforts to enact or rescind legislation where necessary to prohibit any such discrimination.” (33)

Civil Society
We live in a society that we call developed, a society that produces great masses of scorned, exploited, hungry human beings; a society whose supreme value is money. A society that has achieved an unparalleled technological development during the last few decades and that possesses the sufficient economic, cultural and spiritual capacity to achieve a more just and supportive universal social order for all, without excluding anybody.

“No one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (34)
The pillars of society are those people who provide its spiritual and moral vision to the society . They are righteous people with courage who realize the truth within themselves and are willing to take responsibility for their community.
We are all conscious today that our world has become a virtual communicational unity, that its nations and regions are increasingly economically interdependent, and that war is insanely destructive. The survival of the human family requires urgently the articulation of ethical principles.
“Treat people in such a way and live amongst them in such a manner that if you die the will weep over you; alive they crave for your company.”(35)


V.- Guiding Principles from the Book of Ben Sira
Duties toward the Poor and the Oppressed (36)
My child, do not cheat the poor of their living, and do not keep needy eyes waiting.
Do not grieve the hungry, or anger one in need.
Do not add to the troubles of the desperate, or delay giving to the needy.
Do not reject a suppliant in distress, o turn your face away from the poor.
Prudence and Common Sense (37)
“Do not contend with the powerful, or you may fall into their hands.
Do not quarrel with the rich, in case their resources outweigh yours; for gold has ruined many, and has perverted the minds of kings.
Concerning rulers (38)
A wise magistrate educates his people, and the rule of an intelligent person is well ordered.
As the people´s judge is, so are his officials; as the ruler of the city is, so are all its inhabitants.

The government of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and over it He will raise up the right leader for the time.
Human success is in the hand of the Lord, and it is he who confers honor upon the lawgiver.
Concerning humility (39)
The poor are honored for their knowledge, while the rich are honored for their wealth.
One who is honored in poverty, how much more in wealth!
An one dishonored in wealth, how much more in poverty!
Responsible use of wealth (40)
If one is mean to himself, to whom he will be generous? He will not enjoy his own riches.
No one is worse than one who is grudging to himself; this is the punishment for his meanness.
The miser is an evil person; he turns away and disregards people.

Do good to friends before you die, and reach out and give to them as much as you can.