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Arab Dawn: Arab Youth and the Demographic Dividend They Will Bring
In the west, news about the Middle East seems to be dominated by an endless stream of stories about civil war, sectarian violence, religious extremism, and economic stagnation. But a change is coming, argues Bessma Momani, and its cause is demographic.
Today, one in five Arabs is between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four. Young, optimistic, and increasingly cosmopolitan, their generation will shape the region s future. Drawing on interviews, surveys, and other research conducted with young people in fifteen countries across the Arab world, Momani describes the passion for entrepreneurship, reform, and equality among Arab youth. Who knew that university enrollment in the war-torn Palestinian territories exceeds that of Hong Kong, or that more than a third of Lebanese entrepreneurs are women?
Combining careful political analysis, insightful statistics, and numerous interviews conducted with young people from all across the Middle East and North Africa, An Arab Dawn is a study of the Arab world like no other."
Today, one in five Arabs is between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four. Young, optimistic, and increasingly cosmopolitan, their generation will shape the region s future. Drawing on interviews, surveys, and other research conducted with young people in fifteen countries across the Arab world, Momani describes the passion for entrepreneurship, reform, and equality among Arab youth. Who knew that university enrollment in the war-torn Palestinian territories exceeds that of Hong Kong, or that more than a third of Lebanese entrepreneurs are women?
Combining careful political analysis, insightful statistics, and numerous interviews conducted with young people from all across the Middle East and North Africa, An Arab Dawn is a study of the Arab world like no other."
176 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2015
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About the author
Bessma Momani
21 books3 followersDr. Bessma Momani is Professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo.
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October 8, 2020
An Arab Dawn: Arab Youth and the Demographic Dividend They Will Bring by Bessma Momani is look at the current youth of the Middle East and North Africa. Momani is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Waterloo and the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Canada. She is Senior Fellow at the Centre For International Governance and Innovation (CIGI) and a regular media analyst and contributor to national and international media on the Middle East and on global economic governance issues.
I went to Saudi Arabia in the winter of 1984 to serve as an embassy guard. It was culturally a huge change from Camp Pendleton, California, and a confusing change as well. Waiting for the flight out of D.C.I met a Saudi air force officer and his wife and child. I had many questions and they were happy enough to talk to me. We were separated on the flight and once arriving in Jeddah I want to say goodbye and thank you. But by then both he and his wife were out of western clothes and neither had any more to say to me. Crossing into Saudi airspace had changed everything. It was like there were two worlds. I learned there was a private world and public world.
Today much has changed. I read about women defying the law and driving cars in protest. Young adult males forming hot rod car clubs. Perhaps, most surprising is a female Palestinian living in Mecca who Tweets to me on a somewhat regular basis in life in Saudi Arabia. All these things would have been impossible in the mid-1980s when I lived in Riyadh. There is a change in the Middle East and it's being carried out by the youth. The younger generation is exposed to social media, satellite television, and higher education. Momani notes that there are more youths enrolled in universities in war-torn Palestine than in Hong Kong. Higher education is growing throughout the Middle East as public and private universities set up. There was a very real worry of brain drain in the 1980s as the youth left their home countries to study abroad and decided to stay.
In the 1970s, the Arab world was much different as governments tried to instill the idea of citizenship on a population not used to that concept. The 1960s and 1970s were eras of great growth and liberal experimentation that slammed shut in the 1980s. Now it is opening again as governments seem powerless to stop the flow of information and weakened against an educated, urban population. There is a growing demand for more freedom and still a clinging to religious values. The religious values seem to bring order to society without a need for heavy-handed government tactics.
The West seems to see only the negative aspects in the region. The old newspaper adage of "If it bleeds, it leads." has found no shortage of blood in the Middle East. The west also finds symbolism over substance in its reporting. Ask an average American what the headscarf, hijab, means and most will say its religious oppression against women. Yet many women visiting or living in Western countries still chose to wear a head covering as a matter of choice and heritage. Even in the suburbs of Dallas, where I live, it is not unusual for women to wear a hijab, of course, it is much more stylish than the traditional black scarf. It remains a sign of identity. Women have been gaining ground in areas that do matter. Would most Americans know that the women outnumber men in Saudi universities?
Momani gives the reader an across the board look at the Middle East and the changes that are being generated by the youth. There is a move towards a more liberal lifestyle and openness in society. Many governments know that they cannot repress change without risking revolt as seen in Egypt. No one would have predicted that Saudi women would gain the right to vote or run for local offices. Governments that resist face internal revolt and in the age of Twitter and instant communications the government actions are no longer internal matters. The whole world bears witness.
There are still problems as the youth start moving into the job market and the countries are not set up for growth or have the industry that allows growth. To complicate matters, corruption and the “good old boy” network prevent many from finding gainful employment. Governments entry into world markets has slowed the previous price controlled and subsidized economies and required and created a need for an earned income. Prices in urban centers have risen and local vendors now must compete with imports. The people, in general, would rather visit malls and shopping centers than the old shops. Urbanization has brought its share of new problems.
An Arab Dawn sheds some needed light on the positive changes that are happening throughout the Middle East. The vast majority of the population wants basically the same thing as the Western world, although with an Arab cultural tint to it. Fast cars, McDonalds, and MTV are as much a part of Arab life as it is American life. Islam does not mean ISIS or terrorism, but the West will have to see what is happening beyond the sensationalism. An Arab Dawn is a great place to start in understanding the Middle East and the Arab world.
I went to Saudi Arabia in the winter of 1984 to serve as an embassy guard. It was culturally a huge change from Camp Pendleton, California, and a confusing change as well. Waiting for the flight out of D.C.I met a Saudi air force officer and his wife and child. I had many questions and they were happy enough to talk to me. We were separated on the flight and once arriving in Jeddah I want to say goodbye and thank you. But by then both he and his wife were out of western clothes and neither had any more to say to me. Crossing into Saudi airspace had changed everything. It was like there were two worlds. I learned there was a private world and public world.
Today much has changed. I read about women defying the law and driving cars in protest. Young adult males forming hot rod car clubs. Perhaps, most surprising is a female Palestinian living in Mecca who Tweets to me on a somewhat regular basis in life in Saudi Arabia. All these things would have been impossible in the mid-1980s when I lived in Riyadh. There is a change in the Middle East and it's being carried out by the youth. The younger generation is exposed to social media, satellite television, and higher education. Momani notes that there are more youths enrolled in universities in war-torn Palestine than in Hong Kong. Higher education is growing throughout the Middle East as public and private universities set up. There was a very real worry of brain drain in the 1980s as the youth left their home countries to study abroad and decided to stay.
In the 1970s, the Arab world was much different as governments tried to instill the idea of citizenship on a population not used to that concept. The 1960s and 1970s were eras of great growth and liberal experimentation that slammed shut in the 1980s. Now it is opening again as governments seem powerless to stop the flow of information and weakened against an educated, urban population. There is a growing demand for more freedom and still a clinging to religious values. The religious values seem to bring order to society without a need for heavy-handed government tactics.
The West seems to see only the negative aspects in the region. The old newspaper adage of "If it bleeds, it leads." has found no shortage of blood in the Middle East. The west also finds symbolism over substance in its reporting. Ask an average American what the headscarf, hijab, means and most will say its religious oppression against women. Yet many women visiting or living in Western countries still chose to wear a head covering as a matter of choice and heritage. Even in the suburbs of Dallas, where I live, it is not unusual for women to wear a hijab, of course, it is much more stylish than the traditional black scarf. It remains a sign of identity. Women have been gaining ground in areas that do matter. Would most Americans know that the women outnumber men in Saudi universities?
Momani gives the reader an across the board look at the Middle East and the changes that are being generated by the youth. There is a move towards a more liberal lifestyle and openness in society. Many governments know that they cannot repress change without risking revolt as seen in Egypt. No one would have predicted that Saudi women would gain the right to vote or run for local offices. Governments that resist face internal revolt and in the age of Twitter and instant communications the government actions are no longer internal matters. The whole world bears witness.
There are still problems as the youth start moving into the job market and the countries are not set up for growth or have the industry that allows growth. To complicate matters, corruption and the “good old boy” network prevent many from finding gainful employment. Governments entry into world markets has slowed the previous price controlled and subsidized economies and required and created a need for an earned income. Prices in urban centers have risen and local vendors now must compete with imports. The people, in general, would rather visit malls and shopping centers than the old shops. Urbanization has brought its share of new problems.
An Arab Dawn sheds some needed light on the positive changes that are happening throughout the Middle East. The vast majority of the population wants basically the same thing as the Western world, although with an Arab cultural tint to it. Fast cars, McDonalds, and MTV are as much a part of Arab life as it is American life. Islam does not mean ISIS or terrorism, but the West will have to see what is happening beyond the sensationalism. An Arab Dawn is a great place to start in understanding the Middle East and the Arab world.
November 15, 2024
This book, “Arab Dawn: Arab Youth and the Demographic Dividend They Will Bring” written by Bessma Momani was a beautiful journey for me to be in.
The West often sees the Arab region in the Middle East in a way that is extreme, unstable, religiously daunting, with every word that is not that bright. However, in this book, Arab youths are the demographic dividend that is changing and will change the Arab region in a way that is different, drastic, and remarkable. “Arab Spring”, a series of protests that broke out in the 2010s was a showcase of youth wanting change, demanding improvement and transformation and to my knowledge, it was one of the inspirations for this book. Because this book originated from interviews conducted with arab youths (in this case they are bordered to those between the ages of fifteen to twenty-four in a recognized set of countries that deem themselves to be predominantly Arab) (pp 8), it is insightful, original, and clear on what arab youths want and where they are heading as well as Arab region that is written in a way that is not anxiety feeding, vague, hateful, moreso in a manner from the love for this region.
Bread
Inspired name from the chant “bread, freedom, and justice” in a revolution in Egypt in 2011, this chapter themed on the economic liberalization throughout the 1990s and 2000s that Arab countries welcomed foreign companies to export their products, relaxed their barriers to foreign investment and in return public goods that once were provided for free declined and overall effect of increase in price and how it changed Arab world. Youths nowadays hang out in huge malls, use everything that Westerns use, and have an idea of how the wealthy spend their money, therefore becoming more aware of socio-economic inequality. This awareness is also highlighted from the surging higher-educated population of youths that are male and female who are aware of the importance of education. They expressed the challenges they face firstly and greatly is the bread – the rising cost of living, the economy, and corrupt behaviors of nepotism in the employed world after graduation, not political oppression, right to vote, etc.
Freedom
After a talk on economics, this chapter touches on Arab youth wanting government accountability, freedom from the corruption and oppression that prevents them from achieving social, political, and economic opportunities to the fullest of their potential and how recent technological advancements such as online media and blog posts are helping youths to connect within and outside from the state-controlled media because it is harder to manipulate the narrative. One thing that was interesting to me was how Arab youths face unemployment rates despite being one of the highest educated in terms of higher education(pp67). One reason was the wasta [a powerful network] which how people get ahead based not on merit, but on nepotism (that is opposite of meritocracy, a new word I have learned which means people get to success because of their merit).
Identity
This chapter was aligned with how I saw the Arab youth that are represented by my friends in Qatar whose views about religion and society are far more progressive than how Western media shows. They are religious but they ask questions. They are aware of other sects, traditions and practices but they practice their faith in Islam. A new concept to me was the “Secular Arab society" which was the most Arab countries outside the Gulf state during the 1970s and 1980s (pp 74) that enforced separation of religion and politics that didn’t work due to the tensions between identities and states. In that area of tension, one informative case was the reasons women choose to wear hijab and niqab. It can be the norm in which wearing a hijab gives them greater mobility in public places or their sense of devotion to god and whatever that is they do not need to be told either to wear it or not to wear it. Arab youths are rejecting these secular vs religious, individual vs family, and women vs Islam choices, instead mixing values of the West and East to their own lives and visions for their politics.
Circularity
The world is changing, and so are Arab youth. In terms of proportions to their populations, far more Arab students are studying abroad than Chinese or Indian students ( pp 103). But compared to the previous generation that had a hard time connecting with their homeland, because of the development of telecommunications, Arab youth are connected and becoming more and more entrepreneurs as they know what they need and want for their country.
Methodology & Contribution
Author’s research method is effective, as it incorporates interviews with young Arabs from different socio-economic and national backgrounds that gives voice to individuals, making the book accessible and authentic. In terms of academic contribution, Arab Dawn adds a freshness and youth-centered perspective to Middle Eastern studies while other studies in this field in the extent I know focus on security challenges, political and religious radicals.
After my encounter with this book, I feel an actual connection with this region and these people. There were a lot of insights on culture and politics that I haven’t heard or read since coming to the Gulf region. One simplest example is that the whole Middle East is not as oil-rich and conservative as I saw and imagined before.
Simple language and great selections of real-life youths’ talks between the paragraphs and number backups were truly engaging and insightful. Shortcomings can be said to be a vague ending on the future politics but this is not really a shortcoming considering no one knows the future and the author admitting she doesn’t know the future can be the good side. I now have a much better understanding of the Arab youths’ wants, needs, and where they are going compared to what I thought I knew a week ago, and hopefully understand more as time and pages go. This book will be a valuable trip for those want to understand Arab society through the lens of its youth, and I am happy to see how these young voices continue to shape the region’s future.
The West often sees the Arab region in the Middle East in a way that is extreme, unstable, religiously daunting, with every word that is not that bright. However, in this book, Arab youths are the demographic dividend that is changing and will change the Arab region in a way that is different, drastic, and remarkable. “Arab Spring”, a series of protests that broke out in the 2010s was a showcase of youth wanting change, demanding improvement and transformation and to my knowledge, it was one of the inspirations for this book. Because this book originated from interviews conducted with arab youths (in this case they are bordered to those between the ages of fifteen to twenty-four in a recognized set of countries that deem themselves to be predominantly Arab) (pp 8), it is insightful, original, and clear on what arab youths want and where they are heading as well as Arab region that is written in a way that is not anxiety feeding, vague, hateful, moreso in a manner from the love for this region.
Bread
Inspired name from the chant “bread, freedom, and justice” in a revolution in Egypt in 2011, this chapter themed on the economic liberalization throughout the 1990s and 2000s that Arab countries welcomed foreign companies to export their products, relaxed their barriers to foreign investment and in return public goods that once were provided for free declined and overall effect of increase in price and how it changed Arab world. Youths nowadays hang out in huge malls, use everything that Westerns use, and have an idea of how the wealthy spend their money, therefore becoming more aware of socio-economic inequality. This awareness is also highlighted from the surging higher-educated population of youths that are male and female who are aware of the importance of education. They expressed the challenges they face firstly and greatly is the bread – the rising cost of living, the economy, and corrupt behaviors of nepotism in the employed world after graduation, not political oppression, right to vote, etc.
Freedom
After a talk on economics, this chapter touches on Arab youth wanting government accountability, freedom from the corruption and oppression that prevents them from achieving social, political, and economic opportunities to the fullest of their potential and how recent technological advancements such as online media and blog posts are helping youths to connect within and outside from the state-controlled media because it is harder to manipulate the narrative. One thing that was interesting to me was how Arab youths face unemployment rates despite being one of the highest educated in terms of higher education(pp67). One reason was the wasta [a powerful network] which how people get ahead based not on merit, but on nepotism (that is opposite of meritocracy, a new word I have learned which means people get to success because of their merit).
Identity
This chapter was aligned with how I saw the Arab youth that are represented by my friends in Qatar whose views about religion and society are far more progressive than how Western media shows. They are religious but they ask questions. They are aware of other sects, traditions and practices but they practice their faith in Islam. A new concept to me was the “Secular Arab society" which was the most Arab countries outside the Gulf state during the 1970s and 1980s (pp 74) that enforced separation of religion and politics that didn’t work due to the tensions between identities and states. In that area of tension, one informative case was the reasons women choose to wear hijab and niqab. It can be the norm in which wearing a hijab gives them greater mobility in public places or their sense of devotion to god and whatever that is they do not need to be told either to wear it or not to wear it. Arab youths are rejecting these secular vs religious, individual vs family, and women vs Islam choices, instead mixing values of the West and East to their own lives and visions for their politics.
Circularity
The world is changing, and so are Arab youth. In terms of proportions to their populations, far more Arab students are studying abroad than Chinese or Indian students ( pp 103). But compared to the previous generation that had a hard time connecting with their homeland, because of the development of telecommunications, Arab youth are connected and becoming more and more entrepreneurs as they know what they need and want for their country.
Methodology & Contribution
Author’s research method is effective, as it incorporates interviews with young Arabs from different socio-economic and national backgrounds that gives voice to individuals, making the book accessible and authentic. In terms of academic contribution, Arab Dawn adds a freshness and youth-centered perspective to Middle Eastern studies while other studies in this field in the extent I know focus on security challenges, political and religious radicals.
After my encounter with this book, I feel an actual connection with this region and these people. There were a lot of insights on culture and politics that I haven’t heard or read since coming to the Gulf region. One simplest example is that the whole Middle East is not as oil-rich and conservative as I saw and imagined before.
Simple language and great selections of real-life youths’ talks between the paragraphs and number backups were truly engaging and insightful. Shortcomings can be said to be a vague ending on the future politics but this is not really a shortcoming considering no one knows the future and the author admitting she doesn’t know the future can be the good side. I now have a much better understanding of the Arab youths’ wants, needs, and where they are going compared to what I thought I knew a week ago, and hopefully understand more as time and pages go. This book will be a valuable trip for those want to understand Arab society through the lens of its youth, and I am happy to see how these young voices continue to shape the region’s future.
January 18, 2019
Interesting read. I wasn't surprised by any of the information presented. People who fear immigration or refugee resettlement might learn something from this book.
November 1, 2024
Quick & readable but nothing new or groundbreaking. One would also come away from this book thinking Millennial Arabs are liberal democrats with just a little more of a traditional lifestyle which is quite clearly not the case for the vast, vast majority.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews