President Of Indonesia Asserts Large Youth Population Of The Muslim World Is A Strength

                                       Recently at an economic conference, the president of Indonesia stated that the large, young population of the Muslim world is a strength. But is a young, rapidly growing population a strength or a weakness?  In Indonesia alone there is one of the world's highest rates of deforestation, along with poverty, overpopulation, significant environmental degradation and pollution. Young, fertile populations raised to not believe in birth control and that live in societies that offer few opportunities do not face bright futures.  Add to the mix the growing bigotry and intolerance in the Islamic world, along with the corrosive and spreading belief that violence,war and terrorism are the only ways to resolve conflicts, and the result is anything but a strength. In oil rich Islamic countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, oil has assisted in the unchecked growth internationally of fanaticism, intolerance, and bigotry. If ever the oil or need for it disappears, these countries will have nothing left but young populations filled with religious fanaticism and hate.
                                        A young and growing population is only of benefit if the population is educated, disciplined, tolerant, and willing to use their youth and talents to promote compassion, goodwill and peace in the world. If the president of Indonesia was thinking along these lines, then he is correct. But if he thinks that a young population, simply by virtue of their religious affiliation, will be of benefit to the world, then he is sadly mistaken.