In
the current global scenario, a country cannot live in isolation. The
world has literally been transformed into a global village wherein
interests of various countries are intertwined. This is the very reason
behind formation of several international unions so as to enable various
countries help coordinate with each other effectively for mutual gains.
Numerous
international organizations such as the United Nations founded on the
heels of the World War II, the European Union founded during the Cold
War, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (renamed Organization of
Islamic Cooperation), the Arab League, the Warsaw Pact (reformed as the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization), NATO and the Socialist
International are all active within the framework of their own policies.
Unfortunately,
none of these organizations have so far succeeded in weeding out evils
from the world. The only rational thing to do is therefore for people
who espouse goodness; love and affection get united against those groups
that are allied with evil. For years, materialist and imperialist
currents have led to wars, occupations and destruction and still pose a
great threat to humanity.
If the Islamic world wished to emerge as a power, stable and prosperous bloc among the comity of nations, it must act as one.
The
importance of unity has become more important in the current scenario.
Absence of unity is preventing a common voice being heard from the
Islamic world. These divides have left innocent Muslims at the mercy of
others and literally unprotected. Helpless women, children and old
people in many countries like Syria, Palestine, Bangladesh, and Myanmar
etc. are all waiting for their brethren to save them from persecution.
These innocent people are the responsibility of the Islamic world more
than anyone else.
We
must not forget that Islam orders Muslims to forge unity among their
ranks. And Allah has ordered Muslims to strive together if they are
wronged.
We
need to wage an intellectual struggle and get united against injustice
and violence of human rights. It is high time Muslims formed an alliance
on the lines of the European Union envisaging broader economic,
political, military, social and cultural collaboration. If one studies
the idea carefully, he/she would be surprised that the geostrategic
location of the entire Muslim bloc makes the idea viable and easy to
implement and if we pool all our resources and ease trade and travel
regimens, the results will be beyond our imaginations. We will have an
edge over all such unions, as ours will be a union of love, friendship
and willingness. In that respect, the Islamic Union will be a grand
union of peace envied by all.
All
the Muslim countries that join the Islamic Union must promise to
respect the independence, equality and sovereignty of the states in
their common territory. In this way, member countries will maintain
their own state structures but be able to act as a common and single
nation toward the outside world on those matters on which they agree to
collaborate. Member states should be independent in their internal
affairs, and must encourage resolution of disagreements through peaceful
means. Protection of minorities as commanded by Islam should be ensured
to gain respect worldwide. Of course, the tolerance inherent in Islam,
meaning peace, and the conception of love and union of the Age of
Felicity when our Holy Prophet (pbuh) was alive will be the reference
points for the establishment of the fundamental principles of this
union.
The
OIC with its 57 member states has been active since 1969. In its
present form, however, the organization is far from possessing the
characteristics of this union of love we just proposed. Despite the fact
that it is the world’s second largest organization of its kind after
the United Nations, the effectiveness of this conglomeration is still
questionable.
It
was founded to resolve the problems of 1.6 billion Muslims and
establish cooperation among countries. Unfortunately, it has miserably
failed in resolving issues facing the Muslim world or in emerging as a
strong voice supporting Muslim causes.
In
the wake of the unrest in various Muslim countries in the Middle East,
foreign powers had to fill the gap of authority and power and intervene
to resolve the internal issues of the Muslim world. This is very
saddening.
What
needs to be done is the immediate establishment of a voluntary union
that resolves problems, and looks to the development issues and problem
resolution on a constant basis rather than just meeting once a year. It
is time to act together to build an Islamic territory in which Muslims
live in peace and tranquility in Islamic cities constructed with
artistry, in which quality of life is raised to the highest possible
level and where all of us embrace each other wholeheartedly. This is
perhaps the only way to get rid of the negative impact of the so-called
spring that has marred all prospects of peace and prosperity in the
Muslim world.
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