16 November 2009
Sometimes being an idealist is just the right approach!
I had the honour to attend the 25th meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Istanbul as a delegate. The OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations with a membership of 59 countries.
The predominant topic of the meeting was the global economical crisis and its impact. Other topics were: Energy cooperation, organization of mutual trade fairs, the ease of visa requirements and the development of a mutual market. One of the main future targets is to turn Mezopotamia into a welfare basin. Apart of the statements delivered by the official representatives, plenty of important meetings happened behind the curtains.
The statement delivered by the charismatic Comorian president Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi attracted a lot of attention. President Sambi made a very well-intentioned suggestion. Sambi said people should consider the idea of launching a “one dollar from every Muslim” campaign. An aid fund that will be created by receiving one dollar from every Muslim once a year could solve most of the problems in poor muslim countries. The population of the muslim people is around 1.5 bln. If every single muslim gives one dollar a year it would create a fund of $1.5 bln. This fund can be used to fight poverty and illiteracy.
President Sambi’s suggestion is not only a constructive and practical approach of fighting poverty but an invitation for a shift in global consciousness! It should be taken serious by the people and the Secretary General of OIC Mr. Ekmeddin Ihsanoğlu. The OIC could take an active role in organizing such an aid fund.
It is time to change perception! Is there a shift underway toward “postmodern” social values?
For those who think the danger of economic and banking crisis are behind us, think again! We are still in the early stages. The global financial crisis is compounded by social, economic and spiritual challenges that are equally daunting.
Albert Einstein observed that problems cannot be solved at the same level at which they are created. In this context President Sambi’s suggestion fits perfectly in simplicity compared to the complexity of the created problem. I know, it is just a small step but every journey starts with the first step and this first step doesn’t require much; just one dollar once the year!
We need a new paradigm! To reach this our consciousness and perception has to shift. What is a paradigm? A paradigm is the basic way of perceiving, thinking, valuing and doing associated with a particular vision of reality. The two primary features of the new paradigm we are entering are the new consciousness and our growing capacity for self-reflection.
A reflective orientation brings a unifying approach and offers hope in a world facing deep material, social and spiritual fragmentation.
In the current paradigm the welfare of the whole is left to the workings of the free market or government bureaucracies. In the new paradigm however each person takes responsibility for the well-being of the world, enabling high-levels of decentralization and freedom at the local level and a sustainable harmony at the global level.
In the current paradigm cutthroat competition is the norm in which you compete against each others to make a killing. In the new paradigm however fair competition will be the norm in which you cooperate with others to earn a living.
A Paradigm shift represents much more than a change of ideas. It is an experience which takes place in the moment and infiltrates the mind which causes action.
I want to finish my words for now citing Harry Palmer: “Gratitude opens a crack in consciousness that let’s grace in.” President Sambi just might have paved the way to open this crack.
(http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=invitation-for-a-shift-of-consciousness-2009-11-16)