Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: Introducing EA in Arabic, published by Abdurrahman Alshanqeeti on April 4, 2024 on The Effective Altruism Forum.
I am thrilled to introduce
EA in Arabic (الإحسان الفعال), a pioneering initiative aimed at bringing the principles of effective altruism to Arabic-speaking communities worldwide.
Summary
Spoken by more than 400 million people worldwide, Arabic plays a pivotal role in advancing impactful initiatives across the globe. Despite the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region's diverse socio-economic landscapes, instability leads to humanitarian crises. However, some Arab nations exert significant economic influence and invest in AI and other emerging technologies.
Understanding the humanitarian significance of the region, along with its involvement in Global Catastrophic Risks (GCR), particularly concerning AI and technology, emphasizes the need for focused efforts. EA in Arabic aims to bridge linguistic, intellectual, and social barriers and engage with Arabic-speaking communities. Future plans involve promoting EA principles and community engagement, with Arabic speakers urged to contribute to spreading effective altruism.
Arabic in the World Today
Arabic, with
over 400 million speakers globally, holds a significant position as one of the most widely spoken languages. Its influence spans across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and serves as the liturgical language of more than
1.9 billion Muslims who constitute around 25.2% of the world's population, making it a vital medium for promoting impactful initiatives.
Note:
While acknowledging the intersections between Arabic-speaking communities and Islam[1], it's essential to clarify that EA in Arabic focuses solely on the linguistic and cultural aspects from an impartial perspective. If you're curious about approaching EA from a religious perspective, you may want to explore other initiatives like Muslims for EA and the Muslim Network for Positive Impact.
The MENA Region
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region holds a unique status, embodying a cluster of countries with significantly varied socioeconomic positions. Ranging from nations ranked among the globe's most impoverished to those at the forefront of economic and technological progress, it embodies a diverse array of socio-economic realities.
Details
Now, let's swiftly explore some specific details regarding this multifaceted region.
Below is a compilation of several Arab nations
ranked among the most impoverished globally:
Country
GDP per Capita (USD$)[2]
Most Recent Year
Syria
421
2021
Somalia
592
2022
Yemen
650
2022
South Sudan
1,072
2015
Sudan
1,102
2022
Moreover, unfortunately, due to significant instability in the region, many countries have outdated data. For instance, Sudan, which experienced an
internal destructive conflict between two military factions in 2023. According to a
UNHCR report, approximately half of Sudan's population, roughly 25 million people, require humanitarian assistance and protection. Nearly 18 million individuals are confronting acute food insecurity, and 8 million people have been displaced. Similar data deficiencies plague countries like Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine (including Gaza Strip and the West Bank), Mauritania, Iraq, and Libya. Each of these nations grapples with profound humanitarian crises.
This offers a strong reason to prioritize attention on this region in the advancement of Global Health and Wellbeing.
Conversely, there are several countries ranked among the wealthiest globally.
Here is a list of some Arab nations with thriving economies as of 2022:
Country
GDP per Capita (USD$)
Qatar
87,662
UAE
53,708
Kuwait
41,080
Saudi Arabia
30,448
Bahrain
30,147
These nations wield significant economic influence globally, particularly in terms of production and pricing of oil and gas. Furthermore,...

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