By Lubna Abdel-Aziz The bird of liberty flies freely over the Arab skies, yet becomes harder and harder to grasp. It is rightly ours, we fought and earned it, but it still remains out of our reach. Why and wherefore? Does the fault lie with us? There are some who would believe our people are not mature enough to appreciate democracy; too feeble, too backward, too primitive, they say. How can such naïve and simple people appreciate the principles of a democratic rule. What nonsense! All peoples deserve to live with freedom and dignity. The fault does not lie with the people, but with the leaders, or more precisely, their absence. The Arab world suffers from a lack of leadership. In fact, we lack leadership the world over. Where are those men/ women who possess the noble traits of excellence, vision and courage. Where are the men who are viewed as symbols of what is best in the human race, who have the authority, not only to command, but to be obeyed. The people are stupefied and mystified. The road to democracy is within reach, but none dare to tread without the proper leader. They seek in vain. No leader can be found. Children of the 20th century came face to face with true leaderships that inspired and motivated great nations. The field is vast and grey and empty now. There is no Churchill in the UK, no Kennedy in the US, no De Gaul in France, and dare I add, no Hitler in Germany. Even a Hitler could lead, could electrify a breathless youth, hungry for a cause to live and die for. Churchill claimed he had nothing to offer but blood, toil. tears and sweat, but he was wrong. He held a nation together throughout the war years. If Hitler brought out the worst in his people, Churchill brought out the best. He also offered his people the heart of a lion. Where are the 'Lionhearts' of today? The leaders are bland and undistinguished. The Big 10 and the Great 20 meet here and there and pose for group pictures wearing wide smiles, but we view and review, yet we see nothing and no one. Where is the leader we can look up to and admire, who can quicken our heartbeat, and stir our souls? The world is flooded with Obamas and Berlusconis, who solely pursue their pleasure and perpetuity. Arrogant and smug, they seek self-aggrandizement and scorn the people who put their trust in them. The characteristics of true leadership may differ from age to age, from country to country, but one trait remains constant. Every leader should, above all else, have one aim, and that is the welfare of his people. Soldier or statesman, a leader serves, rather than being served. He must be willing to take risks and pay the consequences. Will there be another Gandhi, another Martin Luther King, another, Nelson Mandela? Conditions often create a leader; the conditions are ripe, but we are still waiting. The old world is changed, never to return. This is the 21st century, a new world with a different society, a different culture with different ideas. Today's leader must be a man of his time. He must possess a thorough understanding, and a deep knowledge of his people. He must look at old leaders and share their aims, if not their methods. Courage is always linked with leadership, and the greatest courage is to be able to decide. A wise decision is the precious course of action of the best of leaders. Wisdom is another virtue of leadership, and the wisest leader is the one who learns to follow his people. The act of following may be the finest act of leadership. "There is a line dividing good and evil that cuts through the heart of every human being". Unable to overcome the evil, many leaders embrace it. No leader can please or displease all factions. Even Hitler had his admirers, so did Stalin and Mussolini. Such men are drunk with power, the opiate that overwhelms and ultimately destroys. History is replete with such archetypes, but History continues to teach us nothing, and we are destined to repeat it.. We only need to look around and sigh over the tragic end of ruthless leaders, without pity, without heart. Religious leaders also possess great power and wield it for both good and evil. Blind men follow. Supreme power 0f men of religion led to the Spanish Inquisition in the past, and to terrorists and suicide bombers, at present. Wisdom is a rare commodity for all, but must be found in abundance among our leaders. We need no scintillating brilliance, dash or verve in a good leader, merely the strength of will and wisdom, the ability to accord equal justice to one and all, and an overflowing compassion for big and small. The legends of any country tell of leaders of great men, not only of great leaders of men. According to the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tsu: "To lead the people, walk behind them". Too many leaders walk ahead and never turn back to see the people deceived and confused, turn fierce and ferocious. There lies the road to dignity and freedom, but dare we tread, without a leader. Wanted: A wise and just leader! Apply at Tahrir Square, or any other square of the people. "An army of sheep led by a lion, would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep." -- Latin proverb
