As I write this I have uppermost in my mind the plight of the people of Palestine.
We have all watched with dismay and deep sadness the deaths of tens of thousands of mostly women and children in Gaza. I
know that I am not alone in Oman and throughout the Arab world in feeling powerless to stop further deaths. It is difficult for me to get through the day knowing that the people of Palestine, who have suffered in so many ways since 1948, are now experiencing what is perhaps their greatest tragedy.
I am British but I spend most of my time with Arabs having married an Omani wife and now living in Oman. I am also a practising Muslim. My children have many Omani cousins.
Over the last 35 years I have come to love the Arab people for their kind ways and for their perpetual generosity. For their intelligence and humour. For their honesty and integrity.
Whilst I remain British with many British traits, both good and bad, I feel blessed to be able to live with my Arab Omani brothers and sisters.
It is perhaps for this reason that like most Arabs I feel so deeply for our brothers and sisters in Palestine at this time. Palestine could have been so very different if it had not become the plaything of the great powers.
Before 1948 Palestine more than any other country in the world was a testament to the peaceful coexistence of Muslims, Jews, and Christians.
For many centuries these people all called this land home, living side by side in relative peace and harmony. Before 1948 Palestine was a melting pot for different cultures and faiths where people of different backgrounds showed each other mutual respect.
In the 19th century Palestine under Ottoman rule was a centre of commerce where agriculture also thrived. Owing to its fertile land and advanced irrigation techniques anyone visiting Palestine would have seen an endless number of orchards producing grapes, olives, citrus fruits and grains.
As Palestine entered the 20th century it was poised to evolve into an independent Arab State alongside other countries such as Syria and Lebanon. For me, knowing its history, the tragedy for Palestinians is even more poignant.
Arab nations, no less so Oman, have had to face many challenges from colonialism to today’s conflicts. Arabs speak a common language but the need to speak with a common voice has never been so important as at the present time. There is that expression “every cloud has a silver lining” and without wishing to trivialise the suffering of the Palestinian people, I pray that the silver lining in the clouds that rest heavily over the innocent civilians in Gaza will be a more united Arab world. By standing united Arab nations can face common threats and promote a peaceful resolution to the current conflict in Palestine. This is not simply a strategic choice but an imperative.
Arab nations have many shared interests and aspirations. They often have to grapple with the same issues including climate change, resource management, terrorism and extremism.
The Gulf region above all other Arab regions has vast natural resources ranging from oil and gas to fertile lands.
These resources offer immense potential for development and there have been huge developments to benefit the people of Oman and others in the GCC.
In spite of the many benefits unity offers the Arab people history has shown us that this will not be easy to achieve. Geopolitical rivalries and divergent interests have often posed formidable obstacles. But unity amongst Arab nations cannot be overstated if they are to influence events now taking place.
The Palestinian people's right to self-determination, dignity, and sovereignty over their land can only be achieved if Arab nations show solidarity in condemning the genocide and demanding an end to it.
It is only by Arab nations agreeing on a peaceful concerted plan of action that they can pave a way for peace in Palestine and the wider region.
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