Do they really think differently?

Same Interview with Four Young People from:
Trinidad and Tobago, Morocco, Tunisia, and Turkey

By Safae Alem

What are their ideas about democracy, terrorism, and freedom of speech?
To what extent can people, from different parts of the world, share the same ideas?
We may find answers to these questions by reading the following interview with four young
people from Trinidad and Tobago, Morocco, Tunisia, and Turkey. The interviewees answered the same 10 questions without informing them that they would be answered by other persons.


They are:

Amir, 23, is a citizen from the Caribbean country; Trinidad and Tobago. He is from East Indian descent. He is currently pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. He lives in the Central Region of Trinidad.

Nawal Hadduzi, 23. A Moroccan student pursuing her English studies at Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Letters, situated in Martil, Tetuan. She lives in Tetuan.

Mohamed Majid, 26. A Tunisian engineer, graduated from the INSAT, Tunis. He works as a professional buyer, BG TUNISIA Ltd (Subsidiary of BG Group) at Hannibal Gas Treatment Plant, Contract & Procurement Department, Sfax, Tunisia.

Tolga, 22, from Istanbul, Turkey. He is a student of mathematics. He will be a math teacher in a year.

Supposing we know nothing about your country. How would you present it from a perspective of a young citizen?

Amir: My country has gone from an agricultural society to a much industrialised society because it has a great amount of natural resources. Hence it is still in a developing stage. People of Trinidad and Tobago are of a multi ethnic background. In brief, as a young citizen, the country is a fast developing one in all areas trying to break free of a third world system in order to elevate its status with a very high class education system and a fast developing industrial sector.

Nawal: Morocco is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and this is due to its natural landscapes which attract tourists from different places. It economy depends mainly on agriculture, tourism, and foreign investments. It is the only African country that is not currently a member of the African Union. In addition, Morocco is an ethnically diverted country with a rich culture and civilization.

Mohamed: Tunisia is a young country which is growing up steadily. Its economy is growing fast in the last 5 years; there are more investment in the Oil & Gas field and more production of natural gas. The government is doing well, relying on teenagers by providing a good assistance to fulfil their studies. The country is considered one of the safest countries (North Africa / Middle East).
I always feel like I am missing one of my "three parents" when I travel outside Tunisia.

Tolga: Turkey is a Euro-Asian country which is trying hard to join the European Union. Our country has known an important growth in all domains lately. Our industry is becoming more and more developed, and it can compete with the biggest industries. Also, Turkey is a very beautiful country with different natural aspects and important historic monuments. As a young citizen, I would represent it as a very beautiful place in the universe and not only in the world. Every person should visit my country at least once in a lifetime.

What do you like the most in your country? What do you dislike in it?

Amir: What I like the most in my country is relaxed atmosphere and the freedom to practice your rights without any kind of restrictions.
What I dislike the most is the government and how they manage the country.

Nawal: What I like the most in Morocco is nature and music.
I dislike Moroccan politicians.

Mohamed: Actually I like many things in Tunisia; nature, culture, religion, mixture of people, and security.
I dislike: some people’s attitudes.

Tolga: I like nearly everything in my country except traffic jam in Istanbul and some selfish people who believe that everybody should think the way they do.

What is your opinion about democracy? To what extent do you think it is applied in your country?

Amir: Well my opinion about democracy is that citizens in a country should have a great deal of freedom in choosing the elected one to run that country. They also have to have their impact on decisions that may be made to run that country.

Nawal: Some people think that democracy in Morocco is a shameless window dressing. They say quite correctly that the nature of the political system has not changed. Personally, I believe that all this talk of taking steps in the direction of modernity and democracy is essentially for foreign consumption, especially for Europe. Yet, without a responsive and transparent government and an engaged civil society, the promise of a stronger democracy is difficult to obtain.

Mohamed: Good question. I think democracy is applied in Tunisia to a certain level. But we have to rethink about the way we apply it in order to avoid some problems.

Tolga: Democracy is one of the most important needs of human beings. In my country, everybody loves democracy. However, some people think that they love it more than others so it causes some problems. I think democracy is applied in my country since people can choose freely their Prime Minister.

Terrorism has become one of the most important issues in the world. How do you define it? Do you think your country is also a target to terrorism?


Amir: Terrorism in today’s world has been made to seem that anyone belonging to the Islamic faith is categorized as a terrorist. That is the picture that the media has given to the world today. In contrast, when people from other religious faiths commit a "terrorist" act, the media rarely call them terrorists.
No, I don’t think my country is a target to terrorism.

Nawal: Terrorism is to harm innocent people, but I think the definition is relative, right? Unfortunately, Morocco has become threatened by many attempts to destroy its political and social systems. In my opinion, what happened in Casablanca lately was the beginning of terrorism in Morocco. They want to disfigure the image of Morocco in the eyes of other countries.

Mohamed: Terrorism may mean extremism; it can be avoided by negotiation. Definitely, Terrorism is targeting all North Africa. Particularly, Tunisia suffered from this hurricane two months ago, but (Thanks God) it was under control.

Tolga: I think terrorism is not a concept as many people think. It is the new way of war between countries or ideas. Many events have been called terrorist attacks or acts, but I don' think this is right.
Yes, I think Turkey is a target to this evil and I hope this will end soon.

Freedom of speech may have advantages and disadvantages. What do you think about it? Should people become FREE to say and write anything they like? Do people have freedom of speech in your country?

Amir: Freedom of speech I think is a good thing. However, sometimes, to talk about whatever in the wrong crowd may cause more harm than good. Anyway, there should be an extent to freedom of what one can write and say but not totally.
Yes I would like to think so but again there are boundaries that citizens have to go by with respect to this freedom of speech, I wonder how free this thing that is called freedom of speech is!

Nawal: One of the gravest issues that any society in this world can deal with is the lack of freedom of speech. Personally, I don't think it exists in Morocco and I believe that this freedom would give an opportunity to Moroccans to develop their ideas and culture. However some boundaries have to be respected.

Mohamed: Yes, this is recognised all around the world. The problem is some people try to say whatever they like when you give them a certain degree of freedom, but they only become parrots!
Honestly, I've heard about this issue, but I don't know if they have it or not.

Tolga: "One's freedom ends where other's freedom starts"; this is what I believe, and it includes freedom of speech. Well, I think people in Turkey have this kind of freedom to some extent.

If you are asked the grand question posed to 199 great scientists: “what is your most dangerous idea?” What would be your answer?

Amir: Ha-ha, My most dangerous idea? Well I haven’t really thought about anything to that extent since it is not in me, so I am indeed sorry that I can’t answer this question.

Nawal: My dangerous idea… I don’t know really. It may be a coming Tsunami!

Mohamed: developed Sub-Saharan countries. I think this may change the world.

Tolga: I haven't thought about something like that, but if I do I'll let you know.


In the following sentences, which word you would pick up to fill the blank?

I wish if there is no … in the world.
I wish if I could live in…
I dream of visiting …
I want my country to be the first in/to…
if I were president, my first movement would be against …

Amir:
a. I wish if there is no discrimination [all types] in the world.
b. I wish if I could live in Saudi Arabia [medina].
c. I dream of visiting New Zealand.
d. I want my country to be the first to have a society where there is no crime.
e. If I were president, my first movement would be against war.

Nawal:
a. I wish if there is no terrorism in the world.
b. I wish if I could live in peace.
c. I dream of visiting Mecca.
d. I want my country to be the first in developing.
e. If I were president, my first movement would be against illiteracy.

Mohamed:
a. I wish if there is no death in the world.
b. I wish if I could live in heaven.
c. I dream of visiting my mom (she died).
d. I want my country to be the first in technology.
e. If I were president, my first movement would be against poverty.

Tolga:
a. I wish if there is no money in the world.
b. I wish if I could live in my dreams.
c. I dream of visiting the entire world.
d. I want my country to be the first in everything good.
e. If I were president, my first movement would be against racism.

What and who do you love the most?

Amir: I love God the most.

Nawal: I love our prophet Mohamed the most.

Mohamed: I love my mom and my sweetheart Sara.

Tolga: I love Allah the most.

What and who do you hate the most?

Amir: I hate the Satan the most.

Nawal: I hate George Bush the most.

Mohamed: I hate goodbyes.

Tolga: I hate nothing.

what is your :
a. dream
b. fear

Amir: My dream is to achieve a successful life in this world and firm grasp of my faith; as a result to be more successful in the life hereafter.
My fear is to become a non Muslim

Nawal: My dream is to achieve a good degree in society. My fear is about the future of Morocco.

Mohamed: Success, but I think this is my goal. So, my dream is to assist the Formula one race, Monaco Grand Prix. My fear is failure.

Tolga: I'm sorry I don't like to share my dreams. My fear is to lose a dear person.


From the west to the east, Amir, Nawal, Mohamed, and Tolga answered my questions. They agreed upon many ideas and they also have different personal thoughts. Young people may have some original ideas that can help in developing and improving their societies. I think that decision makers should take them into consideration.