Messi's shirt... and the culture of compassion

• For various Arab societies, this is a catastrophic period, characterised by overlapping political, economic, social, security and environmental crises.
• These circumstances raise questions about the attitudes of Arab expatriates who live and work in better conditions abroad, and the way they portray their lives on social media.
• I do not mean to make moral judgements in this regard – especially since I have known the hardships involved in immigration and the urgent search for a better, happier life.
• That being said, the pursuit of happiness must also be a quest for higher human values, including sympathy for those who are less fortunate than ourselves; this gives rise to spiritual happiness, which is no less important than material fulfilment.

• Charity is not just about donating money; it can also take the form of solidarity with, and respect for, the feelings of others, and consideration of the difficult realities that give rise to those emotions.
• It is anyone’s right to queue for hours to be among the first to buy the latest Messi shirt in Paris, and it fulfils a valid material need; but while the man himself posts photos on Instagram, his relatives, friends and compatriots are queueing at bakeries, gas stations and pharmacies to meet the most basic of needs.
• Perhaps we should question the absolute right to express one’s happiness in such cases, given the consequent increase in the sense of suffering of those around us. Enjoy a lavish lifestyle if you wish, but take a minute to consider what is important in life and think twice before sharing on social media.
• To resist posting on social media can bring a unique kind of contentment – the ultimate fulfilment and joy of acting on your compassion for others.