Dr. Khaled Hankir

Good morning, dear citizens, wherever you may be,

In the journey of nation-building, it is essential to distinguish between conscious political engagement and personal emotional attachment to politicians. The former builds nations and lays the foundations of a national system of governance rooted in constitutional institutions that safeguard citizens’ rights, ensure justice in social and economic security, and preserve dignity and freedom within a framework of inclusive laws and legislation.

Political emotion, however, often turns into a fleeting admiration or a social courtesy driven by personal interests. It can also become an illusion that fades once the “political idol” reaches the seat of power. At times, it degenerates into blind sectarian fanaticism, causing citizens to lose their national compass and follow closed paths that strip them of agency and belonging, turning them into mere numbers in a herd, sold and traded according to the will and interests of their shepherd.

The freedom of peoples and the dignity of nations are not granted—they are earned by the free-minded through a revolution of awareness and thought, by separating political emotion from true patriotism. A nation does not thrive on emotional loyalties, but on enlightened minds and living consciences that choose their leaders based on intellectual and national merit, far from sectarianism, favoritism, and the corrupt trade of votes through money or influence.

Let national awareness be our compass in choosing those who represent us, and let genuine citizenship be the path toward building a just state that serves and protects all.