Shocking to see unrest in gulf, our 'second home'

Having stayed in the gulf for almost a decade, the widespread unrest among the masses has had many like me, who still consider the gulf their second home, shocked.

A few years ago, when I was doing my schooling in the gulf, my father used to very rightly tell me that 'the Gulf is God's Chosen Land'. With abundant resources and good rulers, these countries were envied by nations all over the world. Although the Arabian peninsula is geographically a desert, water or food shortage was never heard of. Even when kingdoms around the world crumbled due to lack of support from the people, these gulf countries considered themselves blessed to be in the hands of its able rulers. The growth in economy and infrastructure has been rapid. Even education and state of art heath care facilities were provided to its nationals almost free of costs. All this was in spite of minimal or no taxes being levied from the people.

The gulf is also supporting many families in India who have their bread winners working hard in the gulf. Indians constitute almost 40% of the population of countries like UAE. Better salaries and more appealing careers have compelled many to find shelter in the gulf to make a contribution to their family assets back home. Modern Kerala is almost entirely built on Gulf money. Many others have found peace and comfort in these prosperous nations and call it their home.

The gulf countries are immensely blessed with liquid gold-crude oil. But what set them apart from the other nations was the fact that they knew how to utilize their resources and channelize their revenues for the benefit of the people and progress of their country. When abundant resources came to able rulers, rapid progress was the outcome. Dreams turned into reality. Even the tiny gulf country, UAE saw itself become the hub of the rich and the famous.But prosperity didn't blind these people who are still very traditional and god fearing. These peace loving people lived in perfect harmony with their neighbours. A hartal or public demonstration was unheard of. Although levels of discontent and anti-government sentiments have until recently been very low, matters seem to have taken a new turn overnight. Rising unemployment and inflation coupled with recent wave of protests that arose in Egypt and Libya have inspired bouts of unrest in the region.

Bahrain, one of the most politically volatile nations in the gulf was also the first in the region to be hit by demands for reforms. Protesters organised demonstrations in a Egypt-style occupation of the country's landmark square chanting slogans against the country's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and rejecting his appeals for talks to end the political crisis.

Even the holy land of the Mecca and Medina saw more than 100 leading Saudi academicians and activists joining hands in the internet. They have asked the King Abdulla to enact sweeping reforms and to relinquish many of his powers. The king has tried to suppress the rumblings with a spending spree. But the implications it can have in the political scenario is still uncertain with protest rallies being called in social media sited for the coming days.

Oman ruled by family dynasty marked the latest flashpoint in the Arab world's upheaval. Oman witnessed a series of rallies in cities of Sohar, Muscat and Salalah. 2 were killed and several injured as police fired at protesters in the northern city of Sohar. The ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said has offered 50,000 new state positions and monthly stipend of 150 Omani Rials for job seekers. Demonstrations could widen in the gulf with protest rallies being called for the next month in Kuwait.

Political disturbance in the wealthy oil dwelling nations of the world are sure to have a larger impact in the global picture. The crude oil prices and stock exchange market are already going haywire. Uncertainity hovers over many jobs held by Indians and other nationalites as these could be compromised to appease the nationals. But the immediate cause of concern is 'Will this uprising overthrow the time tested monarchy, and hand over these oil rich nations into the hands of ill-experienced rebels?' But that, only time can say.

(image courtesy: allvoices.com)

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