The OIC Summit: Looking beyond
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Air Commodore Muhammad Zakiul Islam ndu acsc (Retd)
THE 11th Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) was held in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal from the 13th to 14th March. The triennial, two-day event was attended by representatives from 57 Muslim countries. I am using the word Muslim because not all the countries officially call themselves as Islamic. Also of significance is the fact that the last letter of the well-known abbreviation, OIC, denotes Conference, not Countries.
It was joined by Kings, Sultans, Presidents, Prime Ministers and other top leaders from the Islamic Ummah. The spread of membership is also a wide one. The attendees represented some of the richest as well as the poorest of the countries; some as modern as having tested successful nuclear or space programmes, and some so impoverished that they cannot even provide pure drinking water to their people. And yet some boasting of huge economic growth and steady modernisation programme, while some still struggling to make both ends meet with poor infrastructure, fragile economy and fragmented social system.
The idea of having a common platform for the Muslims of the world was first conceived in 1969. Thereafter, the OIC was formally launched. Today, this apex organization of the Islamic Ummah has 57 members, spreading over four continents, and represents some 1.5 billion Muslims all over the world. Apart from the regular members, the OIC has five states having the status of observers, and those include, among others, the Russian Federation, and seven institutions and international organisations including the UN. The United States had also nominated its first envoy to the OIC on the eve of the 11th Summit to"listen to and learn from representatives from Muslim states" and to "share with them America's views and values".
One expects that with a sizeable number of Muslim population and with their close ties with the Muslim world, the two emerging Asian giants, India and China, could join the club as observers. One would, of course, remember India's bid to join the OIC as a full member, but unfortunately it was turned down. The reasons may not be far to seek. But I personally feel that policy of inclusion and constructive engagement has much to offer than the mentality of exclusion and animosity.
The Organization is perceived to act as the collective voice of the Muslims for projecting, ensuring and safeguarding the interests of the Muslims all over the world. But such a vital role could not be performed in isolation, without a process of inclusion of the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony for all the peoples of the world. In these days of "Islamophobia" and undue vilification of this great religion, understanding of the core principle on which the Organization was built deserves due mention and study. The founders of the Organization correctly realized that preservation of spiritual, ethical, social and economic values of Islam was essential for achieving and safeguarding peace and progress of not only the Muslims but also of the whole of mankind. Bound by a common legacy of civilisation and heritage, the member states should strive to promote the principles of justice, tolerance and non-discrimination not only amongst its own people but it can also spread such values enshrined in Islam for greater benefit of humanity.
Islam does not approve of any 'innovation' as far as the religious principles are concerned. Being a champion for the cause of education, knowledge and learning, Islam always emphasized on inquest, research and collection and gathering of knowledge, irrespective of its source or origin. Hence, Islam is not shut to receiving and gathering good things from others. In today's modern world, countries of the Islamic world, therefore, must be open in practising and promoting tolerance, moderation, modernisation, reforms in all spheres of life including science and technology, trade and commerce, good governance and promotion of human rights in the Muslim world.
Islamic values of love and protection of children against abuse, ensuring honour and dignity of women, and concern and care for the parents and elderly as ordained in the scriptures and the traditions could serve as examples, and are essential for building a better world. Being the spokesman of the Islamic world, these are the messages that the OIC does need to propagate to our brothers of other faith who may have a wrong and misconstrued idea about us and the religion. There is a Russian saying that repetition is the mother of learning. We shall repeat here what we have heard so many times. There are five pillars of Islam, namely Qalima, Salat, Roza, Zaqat and Hajj and in that order. These are also the fundamental principles. It may be noted that the much eulogized and equally demonized term "Jihad" both by the proponents and the opponents is not one of them. Acting in self defence is a basic human instinct. The well-known and oft-quoted adage "tooth for tooth, eye for an eye" is not unique in Islam. While Islam promotes true and balanced justice, forgiveness and tolerance are held even at higher value and esteem. But killing innocent people in the name of reprisal or for promotion of religious cause is farthest from the tenets of Islam. The OIC ought to take an unequivocal stand against such wanton acts and condemn violence, be it in any form, by the Muslims, against the Muslims or amongst the Muslims.
One point of paramount importance is the realisation that adherence to the fundamentals may make one a fundamentalist, but not necessarily a terrorist or an extremist. Being the youngest religion, Islam is also most suitable and adaptable for a modern man or for a modern society so long such adaptation does not breed capricious innovation and harmful superstitions!
In the globalised world of today, economic prosperity and well-being is at the heart of all progress and development. The Muslim world together commands a combined GDP of nearly one trillion USD, with the highest per capita income of a whooping $63,000.00 in Qatar. Each country of the Ummah should strive for economic solvency, self reliance and good governance. Comprised of some of the richest nations of the world, achieving economic solidarity should not be such a difficult proposition in the OIC. Establishment of Solidarity Fund and the Sovereign Funds are steps in the right direction. Apart from economic cooperation, members of the Ummah could also benefit from transfer of technology, favourable trade agreement and similar initiatives for progress and development of the fellow member-states. Humans are both social and political beings; and Islam is not only a religion but aslo a complete code of life. So a practicing Muslim, to a smaller or a greater degree, is as much a political entity, as he is a religious one.
With due fairness, it can be surmised that it is probably hypocrisy when we claim that we want to separate religion from politics. One cannot be completely separated from the other by an iron curtain. A truly religious person and a truly religious society are much more enlightened and responsible than an irreligious one. Perhaps, happy coexistence is the right answer where politics does not confront religion, and religion is not used by the vested group as a vehicle for furthering their political aim.
Further, there is no discrimination on the basis of faith or religion. It has been seen that while a true democracy can accommodate different religious views easily, the theocracy or any other form of government is at unease at its best.
The new century that we are in, has presented us with many challenges and also offers many opportunities. The Muslim Ummah including the Arabs and the non-Arabs, the Europeans, the Americans, the Asians and the Africans, the tribes and the sects must close our ranks and integrate our thoughts and actions towards a common goal -- a goal that is perceived not in isolation but in complete harmony with the global trend and mindset. Obviously, such a transformation would require a deeper understanding of the issues, respect for views of others and thoughtful implementation of reforms and revisions, understanding based on our own judgment, respect based on the principle of mutuality and reciprocity and, more importantly, reforms based on our own core values and not on "uncalculated compromise" and appeasement.
The "Dakar Declaration" has made a historic call for holding of "Dialogue of Civilizations" between the Muslims and the Christians including participation of political leaders. This is a clarion call, especially at a time when phobia and mistrust are running high and when some learned western thinker foresees "Clash of Civilization" as almost an inevitable finale, much to the peril of the humanity at large. Let the dialogue begin. The OIC has the front and central role.
THE 11th Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) was held in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal from the 13th to 14th March. The triennial, two-day event was attended by representatives from 57 Muslim countries. I am using the word Muslim because not all the countries officially call themselves as Islamic. Also of significance is the fact that the last letter of the well-known abbreviation, OIC, denotes Conference, not Countries.
It was joined by Kings, Sultans, Presidents, Prime Ministers and other top leaders from the Islamic Ummah. The spread of membership is also a wide one. The attendees represented some of the richest as well as the poorest of the countries; some as modern as having tested successful nuclear or space programmes, and some so impoverished that they cannot even provide pure drinking water to their people. And yet some boasting of huge economic growth and steady modernisation programme, while some still struggling to make both ends meet with poor infrastructure, fragile economy and fragmented social system.
The idea of having a common platform for the Muslims of the world was first conceived in 1969. Thereafter, the OIC was formally launched. Today, this apex organization of the Islamic Ummah has 57 members, spreading over four continents, and represents some 1.5 billion Muslims all over the world. Apart from the regular members, the OIC has five states having the status of observers, and those include, among others, the Russian Federation, and seven institutions and international organisations including the UN. The United States had also nominated its first envoy to the OIC on the eve of the 11th Summit to"listen to and learn from representatives from Muslim states" and to "share with them America's views and values".
One expects that with a sizeable number of Muslim population and with their close ties with the Muslim world, the two emerging Asian giants, India and China, could join the club as observers. One would, of course, remember India's bid to join the OIC as a full member, but unfortunately it was turned down. The reasons may not be far to seek. But I personally feel that policy of inclusion and constructive engagement has much to offer than the mentality of exclusion and animosity.
The Organization is perceived to act as the collective voice of the Muslims for projecting, ensuring and safeguarding the interests of the Muslims all over the world. But such a vital role could not be performed in isolation, without a process of inclusion of the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony for all the peoples of the world. In these days of "Islamophobia" and undue vilification of this great religion, understanding of the core principle on which the Organization was built deserves due mention and study. The founders of the Organization correctly realized that preservation of spiritual, ethical, social and economic values of Islam was essential for achieving and safeguarding peace and progress of not only the Muslims but also of the whole of mankind. Bound by a common legacy of civilisation and heritage, the member states should strive to promote the principles of justice, tolerance and non-discrimination not only amongst its own people but it can also spread such values enshrined in Islam for greater benefit of humanity.
Islam does not approve of any 'innovation' as far as the religious principles are concerned. Being a champion for the cause of education, knowledge and learning, Islam always emphasized on inquest, research and collection and gathering of knowledge, irrespective of its source or origin. Hence, Islam is not shut to receiving and gathering good things from others. In today's modern world, countries of the Islamic world, therefore, must be open in practising and promoting tolerance, moderation, modernisation, reforms in all spheres of life including science and technology, trade and commerce, good governance and promotion of human rights in the Muslim world.
Islamic values of love and protection of children against abuse, ensuring honour and dignity of women, and concern and care for the parents and elderly as ordained in the scriptures and the traditions could serve as examples, and are essential for building a better world. Being the spokesman of the Islamic world, these are the messages that the OIC does need to propagate to our brothers of other faith who may have a wrong and misconstrued idea about us and the religion. There is a Russian saying that repetition is the mother of learning. We shall repeat here what we have heard so many times. There are five pillars of Islam, namely Qalima, Salat, Roza, Zaqat and Hajj and in that order. These are also the fundamental principles. It may be noted that the much eulogized and equally demonized term "Jihad" both by the proponents and the opponents is not one of them. Acting in self defence is a basic human instinct. The well-known and oft-quoted adage "tooth for tooth, eye for an eye" is not unique in Islam. While Islam promotes true and balanced justice, forgiveness and tolerance are held even at higher value and esteem. But killing innocent people in the name of reprisal or for promotion of religious cause is farthest from the tenets of Islam. The OIC ought to take an unequivocal stand against such wanton acts and condemn violence, be it in any form, by the Muslims, against the Muslims or amongst the Muslims.
One point of paramount importance is the realisation that adherence to the fundamentals may make one a fundamentalist, but not necessarily a terrorist or an extremist. Being the youngest religion, Islam is also most suitable and adaptable for a modern man or for a modern society so long such adaptation does not breed capricious innovation and harmful superstitions!
In the globalised world of today, economic prosperity and well-being is at the heart of all progress and development. The Muslim world together commands a combined GDP of nearly one trillion USD, with the highest per capita income of a whooping $63,000.00 in Qatar. Each country of the Ummah should strive for economic solvency, self reliance and good governance. Comprised of some of the richest nations of the world, achieving economic solidarity should not be such a difficult proposition in the OIC. Establishment of Solidarity Fund and the Sovereign Funds are steps in the right direction. Apart from economic cooperation, members of the Ummah could also benefit from transfer of technology, favourable trade agreement and similar initiatives for progress and development of the fellow member-states. Humans are both social and political beings; and Islam is not only a religion but aslo a complete code of life. So a practicing Muslim, to a smaller or a greater degree, is as much a political entity, as he is a religious one.
With due fairness, it can be surmised that it is probably hypocrisy when we claim that we want to separate religion from politics. One cannot be completely separated from the other by an iron curtain. A truly religious person and a truly religious society are much more enlightened and responsible than an irreligious one. Perhaps, happy coexistence is the right answer where politics does not confront religion, and religion is not used by the vested group as a vehicle for furthering their political aim.
Further, there is no discrimination on the basis of faith or religion. It has been seen that while a true democracy can accommodate different religious views easily, the theocracy or any other form of government is at unease at its best.
The new century that we are in, has presented us with many challenges and also offers many opportunities. The Muslim Ummah including the Arabs and the non-Arabs, the Europeans, the Americans, the Asians and the Africans, the tribes and the sects must close our ranks and integrate our thoughts and actions towards a common goal -- a goal that is perceived not in isolation but in complete harmony with the global trend and mindset. Obviously, such a transformation would require a deeper understanding of the issues, respect for views of others and thoughtful implementation of reforms and revisions, understanding based on our own judgment, respect based on the principle of mutuality and reciprocity and, more importantly, reforms based on our own core values and not on "uncalculated compromise" and appeasement.
The "Dakar Declaration" has made a historic call for holding of "Dialogue of Civilizations" between the Muslims and the Christians including participation of political leaders. This is a clarion call, especially at a time when phobia and mistrust are running high and when some learned western thinker foresees "Clash of Civilization" as almost an inevitable finale, much to the peril of the humanity at large. Let the dialogue begin. The OIC has the front and central role.