Khaberni - Written by Husam Al-Ruways:
Whenever mayors feel their popularity dwindling amongst the people, they do not hold an evaluation session, nor do they inquire about services or review the budgets of projects. Instead, they immediately turn to the tried and tested national solution:
A new roundabout, a massive gateway, or dazzling lights at the entrance of the municipality, for you would enter the municipality with or without these, but they are designed to wide open the doors of public acceptance.
On it, a symbol with immediate traditional impact is placed: a mortar to affirm authenticity, a horse to symbolize chivalry, a sword for prestige, and a coffee pot ensuring nobody feels that the municipality has fallen short in its duty of hospitality, even symbolically.
The roads are still dusty, waste has not disappeared, water visits us but doesn’t reach everyone, and the youth are still looking for jobs, but no matter, we have a gateway, so comments pour in: (God bless you) (This is the right work) (This is how we love our municipalities).
And we all feel – for a brief moment – that we are a nation run by symbols rather than services, by décor rather than solutions, and by public appearance rather than substance.
We are a kind-hearted people, we love things that are visible and forgive the things that are not accomplished, we settle for the facade and leave what’s behind it to God, we are a people of blessing, and if the blessing doesn’t solve our problems, we erect a gateway for it.
What isn’t said… is spoken by the pen
