PROBABLY the single major achievement of the Islamic Solidarity Summit that concluded recently in Makkah is the recognition of the present pitiable conditions of the Muslim Ummah. It was pointed out at the summit that Islamic nations make almost one-fourth of world’s population, and yet lack any type of political clout in world affairs — international politics, economics or culture. Acknowledgement of the problem is the first step toward solving it.
The Muslim world holds strategic geopolitical position, possesses natural resources and rich culture which together can ensure the progress of a nation and enable it to wield influence in world affairs, but unfortunately these don’t seem to have catapulted the Muslim world to a position of influence. Obviously, the primary cause of this condition is the lack of unity among Muslim countries, which hampers coordination and cooperation among them that could have been used for mutual benefits.
Although the reasons for the disunity were known, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah courageously pointed out that sectarian differences among the Muslims that take the form of sedition in some cases prevent Muslim unity. Although King Abdullah’s call for unity serves the interests of Saudi Arabia, it is also in the interest of Muslim countries because the Ummah can only develop, progress and ultimately become influential on the world stage if they become united. Hence, King Abdullah called for a dialogue to iron out sectarian differences among the Muslims.
Apparently, dialogue is meant among Sunni and Shiite Muslims represented by Iran and this is the most prudent and acceptable way to end differences. Indicators show that no country can have the upper hand in Middle East militarily or economically. There are several reasons for that. Firstly, the conventional superpowers as well as the rest of the world will oppose the dominance of any regional country in the Middle East as they have a geopolitical interest in the area. Secondly, there are viable preventive means available at the disposal of countries in the region to resist the dominance of any state. Thirdly, the possible possession of a nuclear deterrence by any country in this region would not make it a superpower capable of sustaining the dominance of any type.
Middle East countries are geographically and culturally inseparable. For example, when the Iranian revolution took place in 1979, Sunnis overwhelmingly welcomed it.
Khomeini despite being a Shiite leader was hailed by the Sunnis. In fact, it was neither the Iranian theocratic ideology nor its revolutionary ideas that resonated among the Sunnis rather it was the Muslim Ummah idea in the broader sense that Khomeini claimed to actualize. Building on this, one can say that the issue of Sunni and non-Sunni did not exit in the minds of the Muslims, specifically the Sunni majority before and after the Iranian revolution. This is because Sunnis did not separate Iran geographically and culturally from the region by considering it as a foreign element.
Also, it wouldn’t have been possible for Iran to exert influence on some countries in the region without the belief among Sunnis that Iran is geographically and culturally part of the region.
The same thing could be said about any Muslim country. For instance, Turkey had chosen to take the secular path and sought to be a member of the European Union. However, neither Turkey could have dropped its Islamic identity nor Europe could have forgotten this identity. It remained a Muslim country and turned back to its Islamic roots. By walking alone, Turkey only grew stronger. As a result, though it is not an oil-producing country, it has become one of the greatest economies of the world. With Greek, Spain and other European countries in turmoil, one wonders what would have happened to its economy now had Turkey been a member of the EU?
Islamic unity is the only path for the Ummah and its future is tied up with it. The overarching objective of the Islamic dialogue ought to be tolerance and coexistence. Respect of all faiths and human dignity should be the guiding principles for Muslims in their behaviors and interactions with others. This can be achieved by finding common ground in beliefs and practices and by limiting our differences. Publicly, we should not show disrespect or attack others’ religious beliefs.
— Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Zuhayyan is a Saudi academician based in Riyadh. This article is exclusive to Arab News.
