Leaders in the Muslim world

“To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!'” – Lao-tsu.

After the death of former political prisoner-cum-South African President, Mr Nelson Mandela, and the global outpouring, I asked two questions of myself:

1. Why are modern/globally known leaders like him, and “civil” rights activists like Mahatma Ghandi, Malcom X, and Martin Luther King become even larger than life upon their death? Is it because the sacrifice (of family), hardships (physical beatings and incarcerations), stamina (to endure), and courage to not only think (one in a generation people), say (voice of the voiceless), but, most importantly, “do” (manifest destiny) what we mere mortals cannot even imagine?

2. Are there such leaders in the Muslim world, and, if so, what are some of their attributes?

After visiting more than 20 plus Muslim-majority countries in the last 15 years, there are some high level takeaways that need require additional studies for a better understanding for future leaders. It may come down to vision, inclusion, will and means.

There are three leaders from the Muslim world that immediately come to mind that are revered by their people and respected outside their country, including one after his death.

-Sh. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE.

-Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien.

[To best understand the father-leader, look at the crown prince, and both Dubai and Brunei have sunrise futures!]

-The late Sh. Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of UAE, was probably one of the most influential and respected leaders in the Muslim world, he was a leader amongst leaders.

[During a 1997 interview with the NY Times, Sh Zayed replied to a question why there is no elected legislature, “…Why should we abandon a system that satisfies our people in order to introduce a system that seems to engender dissent and confrontation? Our system of government is based upon our religion and that is what our people want. Should they seek alternatives, we are ready to listen to them… Our doors are open for any opinion to be expressed, and this well known by all our citizens. It is our deep conviction that Allah has created people free, and has prescribed that each individual must enjoy freedom of choice…. Those in the position of leadership should deal with their subjects with compassion and understanding, because this is the duty enjoined upon them by Allah, who enjoins upon us to treat all living creatures with dignity…”]

What makes above “observation” interesting is in some Muslim-majority countries, where leaders are “democratically” elected, there appears to be more divisiveness, tribalism, race base and ethnic pandering, cronyism, etc., and the damage is to the hope of the people and country. The irony of the situation is economic statistics and financial benchmarks paint one story of the country, but may be more is needed to support (or contradict?) the top-line numbers, ratios and league tables.

To test the above, it would be interesting to undertake a study with the following hypothesis: is there a connection between “democracies in the Muslim world” and country capital flight, brain drain, control of media, judicial system, corruption, etc.? Furthermore, where are the people and money landing?

Obviously, it’s not meant to say or imply that democracy does not work, it works, but democracy is about substance, enabling infrastructure of transparency (media), accountability (judiciary) and responsibility (check and balances), and not cosmetic form. Furthermore, true democracy is a one way road ahead, and can never be rolled back, but may encounter ‘growing pains’ road blocks.

But, democracy cannot be “cut and pasted” as it’s green shoots eventually become deep roots, but it’s an evolutionary process. The law of unintended consequences is the most powerful headwind of fast tracking democracy in countries/people with history of “strong” leaders. The Muslim world has examples of outsiders imposing their views of democracy after liberation, but actually becoming vicarious occupiers!

Query: Should democracy have a customized definition according to geography, history, culture and religion? Today, western democracy is well known, but is there an eastern democracy?

Good Leaders

The attributes of the above-mentioned leaders, Sh Mohammad, Sultan of Brunei and late Sh Zayed, may be summarised as:

Good leaders are not about Madison Avenue slick slogans, sayings or suit lapel-pins, as there must be some substance and thinking beyond the immediate elections.

Good leaders are action people, where their conduct is their spoken words. The Muslim world may have high illiteracy, but these same people become street smart to survive. They do not ask for handouts, but opportunities.

Good leaders surround themselves by competent people that are held accountable, as they know they are expendable.

Good leaders make themselves accessible to the “man on the street”, and not just on a pre-rehearsed show by pre-selecting an audience for town hall meetings.

Good leaders are real people that sometimes become mystery shoppers, where they are seen without entourages, police escorts, etc., to get a feel for their sentiments from the street. The character of the leader is when the cameras are not flashing and microphones are not in sight.

Good leaders are emulated by their people. For example, arrive at a country and look how the place where the immigration officer sits is decorated, or, say, young men of the country follow the crown prince on clothing fashion.

Good leaders challenge their people to push themselves for the betterment of the country, where the motto is not “what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”.

Conclusion

The common denominators of late Sh Zayed, Sh Mohammad and Sultan of Brunei are: they see with their heart, hear with their eyes, feel with their ears, love with their minds, and realize they are blessed to serve their people.

"Leadership is not so much about technique and methods as it is about opening the heart. Leadership is about inspiration – of oneself and of others. Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes. Leadership is not a formula or a program, it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers the hearts of others. It is an attitude, not a routine." – Lance Secretan. – December 19, 2013.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.