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 The world as we know it is changing at an escalating pace, with the Middle East taking centre stage, toppling dictators and re-establishing justice and democracy.
Being part of this historic scene is breathtaking. But being outside it briefly has given me some precious insights on potential future trends that may change our world even further.
During a lecture tour in April, I shared my personal experience of Egypt’s Tahrir Square and the lessons of the Egyptian Revolution with audiences at top US universities including Harvard. It was a fascinating experience to connect with many intellectuals and ordinary people, and to explore their reactions to the monumental changes the Arab Spring is bringing to the world.
One of the most interesting trends I observed was a sudden tendency for reverse immigration. People of various backgrounds told me they were seriously considering a permanent move to the Middle East. Some did not even have Middle Eastern roots; they just thought this is the place to be right now to experience history in the making firsthand.
This was surprising, because for so long, “The American Dream” was part of a global pop culture as the icon for equal opportunity and unlimited fame and fortune. Suddenly, it seems to be losing its lustre to a very unlikely competitor: The Arab countries, and particularly Egypt.
Why Not!
The idea of Arabia currently outshining America as the land of freedom and opportunity came up in many conversations with people I met in the United States. It was most visible among affluent, well-educated 2ndand 3rd generation Muslim and Christian Americans from a Middle Eastern origin, as well as Muslim Americans of non-Arab background, and Americans with no prior attachments to the region, who are now considering a move to the Middle East to work and study Arabic.
Why were those home grown American experts planning to leave? And were they encouraged by the promise of freedom and democracy flourishing in the Arab world, or turned away by American politics and declining economy? In other words, is that trend a certificate of success for the Arab revolutions, or a red flag for American policy- or both in parallel?
I started by asking why? But those I met seemed more focused on “why not”?
“I feel it is a privilege to share in building the future,” says Sameh Amr, Assistant professor of Neonatology & Paediatrics at Louisiana State University,
“it is going to happen with or without me, and I want to share in rebuilding Egypt.”
It didn’t seem to worry him either that this might affect his academic career and his life in general: “It might need some adjustment initially,” he says, “but eventually I think it will have a very positive impact on my life.”
Others are assessing the damage caused by the crushing economic crisis and admitting that life as usual will not hold for much longer under the tremendous financial pressures.
Nashwa Shalaby, a real estate agent from New York is considering moving to Egypt, in comparison to NYC, the market in Egypt might experience a better future, and she enjoys a lot more family warmth there as well.
Yet economy is not the only factor, there are those considering a move to the homeland or even a neighbouring country for entirely different reasons.
Yaser Tabbara, a Syrian-American human rights lawyer and activistis pleased to see what he described as a "neo-pan-Arabism" which he thinks is a lot more cohesive to Arab nations than Nasser’s ideas in the 60’s. He foresees increasing interaction and mobility among Arab nationals in the coming years, and doesn’t overrule the possibilities of himself considering joining the trend despite his flourishing business in the US.
A New Land of Opportunities?
In contrast, some of the Arab asylum seekers I met were rather bitter about their diminishing chances in the US. “The land of opportunity seems to be running out of opportunities for me,” says one Iraqi-American. “Egypt is where I should to be, closer to home with something big to do for the future of my kids.”
He echoes the sentiments of many others who seemed weary and ready to give up the fight for acceptance in the mainstream American society, citing the mounting pressures from Islamophobia, biased media and right wing politics.
But, what about losing the comforts of American life tostart a struggle from square one in a less privileged environment? Most Arab Americans have arrived in the US in the past decades to escape prosecution by ruthless dictators, and to search for a better life away from an uneducated, impoverished homeland, whose resources were sucked dry by corruption and injustice. What is the motivation for making the move in the opposite direction decades later?
“When I tell my family in Egypt I am coming back, they think I’m out of my mind for wanting to leave behind a better life,” says Shereen Mohamed, Egyptian-Chinese grad student of political science. “What I’m realizing now is that we clearly have different definitions for what makes a good life,” she says,“It’s more rewarding to work for change so that loved ones can have a better life.”
So, is the sudden promise of freedom at home refreshing hopes for the descendents of those who fled in search of freedom and opportunity overseas long ago with a dream to return that never died?
“Many of the children of immigrants grew up hearing their parents lament their forced immigration from a homeland they loved dearly for the sake of providing a better future for their children,” Says Sahar Aziz, an Egyptian American civil rights attorney, “when the Egyptian revolution occurred, it was only natural for many of these Egyptian Americans to feel a sense of moral obligation and personal commitment to return and assist in the historic transition.”
Sahar is also co-founder of the Egyptian American Rule of Law Working Group, which hopes to provide technical legal assistance to Egyptian lawyers and advocates. “In the past, Western states sought to superimpose their values and systems on Arab countries,” she explains, “our vision is to provide professional services based on the needs of those we seek to help rather than tell them how they should conduct the post-revolution transition to democracy”
And certainly such advocates’ understanding of the language and culture should make their efforts more accessible for the local communities they seek to support.
Brains Back Home!
This attitude is refreshing because the Middle East has always complained of an exhaustive brain drain, but suddenly that trend seems to be reversing, so what are the implications for the individuals, for the home countries and for the US?
“I think it is good to reverse the brain drain that happened under the rule of dictators,” says Ahmed Rehab, Egyptian-American executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Chicago.
“During Muhammad Ali's reign, Egypt witnessed a modernization and comprehensive development campaign, a big part of which was sending Egyptian delegations abroad to come back with knowledge and expertise. Egypt does not necessarily need to sponsor new delegations, but only to welcome back those who are ready to serve.” He said.
Yet, how does it affect Arab Americans to lose some of their highly educated figures at such a critical time?
After all, Arab Americans are above the national average in socioeconomic status and have recently formed a powerful group consciousness as a result of the socio-political changes in America and the Middle East, a power of change, which could be harnessed to benefit Arab-American causes, and might suffer if their numbers decrease.
“I am not concerned that the return of Arab Americans to the Arab world may leave Arab American communities depleted,” says Ahmed Rehab,“I think at this point, Arab American civil rights work is institutionalized and there will be enough talent left behind. There are however key leaders whose influence may be missed.”
In addition to activists, there were scientists and distinguished university professors who told me that what’s happening in Egypt now is everything they learnt, taught and fought for as Americans all their lives, and that they’d rather live it than talk about it.
So, it would certainly be a dream come true for Egypt to be once again a hub for intellect and expert talent, and I’m sure if properly handled. This development will transform the Middle East and the world in terms of economy, democracy and world peace.
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