By: Farouk Al-Muflehi

(You count them all, but their hearts are scattered) This is the situation of 22 Arab countries at the summit of solidarity and reconciliation that gathered on Tuesday in the city of Algiers.

Many representatives from foreign countries attended, as well as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who knows a lot about our Arab world.

This summit was not expected to achieve goals we have long awaited from it. The declaration of an Arab common market, and a charter of non-intervention or supporting any entities that tear apart homelands, scatter hopes, and devastate the beginnings of harmony, which has become one of the difficult wishes.

As for the Arab League, there are those who wish to change the name because, through the title and when translated into English, it becomes (League of Arab States), and I hope, like many, that the name will be changed to (Arab Unity Organization), similar to the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations Organization.

Has the Arab League achieved its goals? This is a very important question. The Arab League was established on March 22, 1945, and since then until today, the world has changed, countries have changed, and continents have united.

Western Europe united after devastating wars, and the African Union was also declared. There are even global blocs around us that have developed. I give the example of the opening of markets, while we are still at the first step on the path of agreement, not to mention union or unity.

The wishes are not impossible if the Arab countries consider studying the declaration of the (Common Market). What is more important is not political solidarity but the benefits for people in the free movement of goods without any protections or customs.

I was talking with a Canadian student studying at the University of Toronto, and he asked, how many languages do you Arabs speak? I saw Lebanese speaking at the university with students from Morocco, and I saw them speaking with students from Sudan, and even with students from Saudi Arabia?
So I told him, we all speak one language, which is Arabic! From the Gulf to the Atlantic passing through Yemen, Libya, and Egypt! And for your information, we are 22 countries with one religion, language, geography, and history! He was surprised by our division despite this unity in our language and religion, but we suffer from the disease of autism.

My Lord, indeed fate has bent upon us
So relieve the distress and veil the destinies