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Writing in 1865, William Ross Wallace’s poem, “What Rules the World” may offer us an insightful look at trends in world leadership. According to The Pew Research Center, the number of women who serve as national leaders has increased significantly since 1990. Today of the thirteen women-led United Nation countries, nine have been newly elected. 

In Wallace’s poem, he points out that motherhood is the leading force for change. He pens it this way, “For the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. In his poem he says, “Mother’s first to guide the streamlets, From them souls unresting grow.” 

This thought-provoking passage suggests that the first person to guide the life of a child is its mother.  She directs the youngster’s growth process and ensures that it has unfettered access to opportunities. A mother loves her child and will do anything to protect him/her.  

I think this metaphorically speaks to what we are witnessing on the world stage. Some male national leaders are so obsessed with power and personal aggrandizement, that the citizens that they govern are suffering. When the country loses insightful guidance from their leaders, women, who are naturally inclined to nurture human development, step forward.

We find in Scripture evidence that the protective role of a mother is Divinely inspired. “It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when you knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections: that you may give thanks (Qur’an 65:78). Also, “My son, hear the instructions of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head and chains about thy neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9).

Another interesting observation is that the Almighty will not permit evil, unjust people to remain in positions of influence and power. In Psalms 37:9 we find, “or those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” A similar idea is found in Qur’an 58:5, “Indeed, those who defy God and His Messenger will be abandoned, just like those before them.”

Male domination on the world stage is changing. Global leadership is moving toward justice and equity, leaving autocrats and authoritarian rulers kicking and screaming as the pendulum swings towards equilibrium.

Qadir Abdus-Sabur, Ph.D. is an Imam at the Islamic Center of Prince Edward. His email address is qas1944@gmail.com.