Editorial: Ushering in 2012 Sunday, 01 January 2012 04:51

It’s that time of the year when the global media digs into their files to assess the best and worst events of the twelve months that departed us. It’s an annual ritual, and a positive one in that sometimes it helps ordinary people and policy makers to learn their lessons to prepare for the coming year and avoid the tragedies and mistakes that befell them.

Globally, 2011 has been a year of upheavals – politically and economically. America and Europe were in the grips of a severe financial crisis, which convulsed economies all over the world. The Greek suffered in a year what they will remember for decades to come. Such has been their suffering, caused by the collapse of their economy, that they would be happy to say goodbye to 2011 and usher in the new year, with plenty of hope.

As 2011 slipped below the horizon of memory yesterday, it is worth reflecting on what happened to our region and Qatar in particular. 2011 is a year that will be etched in gold in the history of Arab world. It’s the year the people of several Arab countries decided that they will control their future instead of letting their dictators do so. The Arab Spring ousted Tunisian president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak, continues to rock the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and paved the way for the removal of Yemeni President Abdullah Saleh. The protests that erupted in December 2010 with the self-immolation of a Tunisian vegetable vendor peaked with Libyan dictatro Muammar Gaddafi’s killing and unleashed hopes of freedom of expression and other basic rights in the Arab world.

And the 2012 is awaited with trepidation by several remaining Arab rulers and their future is as uncertain as future itself.

Last year has been a year of great achievements for Qatar – economically and politically. Doha was in the global headlines for both the reasons. Qatar played a seminal role in the Arab Spring by standing with the Arab people and for Arab causes. The diplomatic role was widely praised all over the world, while at the same time, there were suspicions in some quarters about the intentions of Qatari government. The new year will help dispel those misconceptions. In the past few years, the mediation role played by Qatar has only brought positive results, and its involvement in Arab Spring too can’t be different. Economically, Qatar had made giant strides in all sectors of economy.

The new year is expected to be equally eventful for Qatar and the region.

But all eyes are on the global economy. Let 2012 be a year of recovery and hope.