The Arab World consists of 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. It is home to countless achievements that have made the world a better place. In recent years this part of the world has been subject to turmoil and calls for Arab diplomacy have fallen upon deaf ears.
Akram Shibly is no longer proud to be an Arab. He recognizes the achievements of the Arab World and believes that today they have become excessive and embarrassing. He challenges other Arabs to stop looking to the past, and start planning for the future. He's afraid to be proud of his people because they sit idly by while people need their help.
The US-led invasion of Iraq and the Israeli occupation of Palestine has propelled the Arab world to disengage from the rest of the chaos in sectarian process of polarisation and violence.
The Arab world is a region beset by crises that can no longer ignore the forces of globalization. The road ahead will not be easy but it's time for Arabs to rise to the challenge.
In a world pushing for isolationism and Muslim bans, it's clear we need diplomacy now more than ever. Arabs need to walk the path of pluralism, global engagement, and investment in people.
A nation isn't built to be left standing in defiance of eternity. A nation is built every day by giving everyone the chance to succeed.