LEAFLET: The Case for Political Unity

Sunday, 17 August 2008

In 1924, Mustafa Kemal announced the abolition of the Khilafah state, a state that had been in existence for over thirteen centuries, which had overcome the Roman Empire, the Persian Empire and the Crusaders. In 1924 the state that had led the world in discovery, science, culture and which led the world in attitudes towards women, redistribution of wealth and just governance lay in ruins. To its west, the Muslim world now faced a powerful and ideological enemy intent on colonising the world. This menace would soon be magnified by the division of the Muslim world on an unimaginable scale.

The challenge facing the greatest generations of Muslims - the generations that had vanquished barbaric idolatry, vast empires and foreign invaders on the battlefield - was how to maintain unity while spreading Islam’s enduring and timeless message. Leaders like Abu Bakr (ra) and Salahuddeen knew that Muslims had to remain united if they were to succeed and meet the challenges of a new and dangerous world. Such a strategy would always require strong faith, a strong military and a strong sense of unity. A unified Islamic state would shape events not just through its military force, but through the force of its ideas; through economic power, implementing justice and treating all citizens fairly regardless of their faith.

As an early adopter of the faith, Abu Bakr (ra) had spent considerable effort helping the Prophet (saw) gain new tribal allies. However, Abu Bakr (ra) understood the importance of maintaining political unity when Muslims became many. In the courtyard of Banu Saida following the death of our beloved Prophet (saw) he said “It is forbidden for Muslims to have two Amirs, for this would cause differences in their affairs and concepts, their unity would be divided and disputes would break out amongst them.”

He closed by saying: "The Sunnah would then be abandoned, the bida'a (innovations) would spread and Fitna would grow, and that is in no one's interests".
Abu Bakr‘s visionary words are as relevant today as they were when they were uttered fourteen centuries ago. Today, in the divided Muslim world, the Sunnah has been abandoned, innovations are too common and fitna has reached epidemic proportions.

Today's problems are different from those before, though no less grave. The military occupations of Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq have been a catastrophe. The future of our Ummah - and our civilisation - is being held hostage by dictators and tyrants. Our economic wealth is being invested in Swiss bank accounts and to prop up western institutions. We know that this Ummah cannot be protected by our energy resources or the sheer numbers of our citizens alone, what we need is a new political direction.

The state of the Muslim world today may be bleak, but big challenges test our determination as an Ummah. From the deserts of Mauritania to the rubber plantations of Malaysia, from the Straits of Hormuz to the Caspian Sea, as each day passes, as each innocent life is lost, as each new opportunity is foregone this Ummah seeks unity. But desires for unity are not enough; we now need a new strategy for an ever-changing world.

Imagine, for a moment, what we can do if we unite politically.

We could become an economic superpower if we only had the necessary political will. We could use the vast resources that we have (70% of the oil reserves and 55% of natural gas) to better the lives of ordinary people (not just the elite) by redistributing wealth, tackling poverty, preventing disease and investing in health and education. We would be able to better cushion the harsh effects of record food and energy prices by sharing the proceeds of our common wealth. The Bangladeshi farmer, the Sudanese labourer, the Malaysian small businessman should all share in the Muslim world’s oil and gas reserves not just the sons of princes and sheikhs. Combining the vast financial resources of the Middle East with the high labour forces in Indonesia, Pakistan and Egypt would make a powerful combination.

We could become a military power house if we came together and combined our arsenals. If Israel could not defeat Lebanon in 2006 and the US has failed to win in Iraq or Afghanistan, then what would happen if the Muslim world combined its military capability? With combined armed forces of nearly 5 million we would be able to reverse the occupations of Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as secure ourselves from future attacks whether it be on Iran or on Pakistan.

We could once again become a giant in international affairs enjoying huge influence and clout in contrast to the impotent OIC (Organisation of Islamic Countries). States would have to think twice before they allowed our Prophet’s (saw) honour to be abused. If we came together we would have the world’s highest population – approximately one quarter; be located next to some of the key strategic waterways such as the Caspian Sea, the Suez Canal, the Straits of Hormuz and the Bosphorous; as well as enjoying some of the most fertile agricultural lands that Allah has blessed this earth with.

We could eliminate debt and put compound interest in the dustbin of history. If we combine our financial resources and the trillions of dollars of currency reserves, we can avoid the need to borrow and become enslaved to the IMF, World Bank and western nations. Instead of investing to prop up western banks on Wall Street, resources could be used for productive investment in the Muslim world.

We could provide an alternative to the western controlled institutions such as the UN and the WTO. We could provide leadership to the developing world by proposing new institutions to replace the outdated and imperialistic organisations that were set up after WWII.

We could call on a new generation to step up, and serve the new unified Islamic state as scientists, teachers, doctors and engineers. Instead of wasting money on tasteless entertainment venues, we could be investing in building refineries, ports, fibre optics and IT infrastructure. Instead of buying billions of dollars of equipment from western companies we could create our own new industries and technologies and lead the world again in scientific discoveries.

We can do all of this and much more and we will need to if we are to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Today China has the fastest growing economy and will soon become the world’s major manufacturer. India already a giant in the IT services sector and will seek to leverage its 1 billion population to expand its influence across the globe. Russia fresh from its crushing defeat of Georgia has used its vast energy resources and geographical location skilfully to once again become a major power on the international stage. The European Union despite its ageing population and diminishing military capability effectively projects its power in trade and diplomacy. The United States despite its military failures in Iraq and Afghanistan and loss of moral leadership after Abu Ghraib and Guantanomo will remain the world’s leading power for some time to come. Only a politically united Muslim world based on strong values and with new priorities can compete with such major powers.

Instead, we lose tens of thousands of Muslims under violent occupations, Islam is attacked daily, and we waste trillions of dollars in corruption and mismanagement while poverty increases. Instead of gaining self sufficiency in critical sectors and industries we continue our dependence on external nations. We continually seek a higher purpose yet are dragged down in the gutter by dictators and tyrants - all in the name of keeping 57 nation states and maintaining the status quo.

Yet significant political change and unity in the Muslim world is entirely feasible. At the end of WWII, Europe lay in ruins after six years of bloody war. The great capitals of London, Paris and Rome were on their knees. The Berlin wall would soon not just separate Germany but would symbolise the new ideological division in Europe. Poland, the catalyst for the war, like most of Eastern Europe would now face decades of totalitarian control from Moscow. The Soviet Union’s crackdown on protestors in Budapest in 1956 and Prague in 1968 would be harsh and severe. Anyone predicting a re-united Europe at this juncture would have been dismissed as requiring medical treatment. Yet within half a century a European Union would emerge consisting not just of nations from Western Europe but would extend to Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland.

In the middle of the eighteenth century in the heartland of the new world, a group of men decided to fight back in Lexington in the American state of Massachusetts. At the time, America was occupied by Britain and the US constitutional vision of a ’more perfect union’ was still an abstract idea in the hearts of Jefferson and Adams. However, by the late nineteenth century the US had removed the shackles of occupation and kept the union intact after a bloody civil war Yet any talk either during the war of independence or the civil war that the United States would one day become the world’s only superpower would have been dismissed as laughable.

At the battle of Khandaq (the ditch), the embryonic Islamic state in Medina was surrounded by mortal enemies. With the Quraysh attacking them from the front and Banu Quraydha from the back, the situation appeared hopeless. In Surah al Ahzaab verse 10, the Quran recounts the precariousness of the situation by stating that “your hearts were in your mouths”. Muslims didn’t just face defeat, but possible annihilation from enemies who were intent on revenge for past defeats. Yet at this most critical juncture the Prophet (saw), with absolute trust in Allah, rallied his forces and lifted their spirits. Promising them upcoming victories against the might of the Roman and Persian Empires may have seemed improbable on the day when Muslims were fighting for their very existence, yet within living memory those predictions would soon become reality.

Yet Muslims today are told that political unity is not possible, that it is unrealistic, that it remains a dream and those who advocate it are dismissed as naïve and pedaling false hopes. Yet to call for political unity does not mean we underestimate the many barriers that need to be overcome. These barriers are not just the west that conspires to see the Muslim world weak and divided so that they can continue their imperialistic agenda. These barriers are not just the existing despotic rulers who have too much to lose materially if the Muslim world ever became united. But there remains another barrier, the barrier of the smallness of our vision, the stagnation of our politics and our lack of trust in the Promise of Allah for change. If people power can tear down the Berlin wall in the heart of Europe, then why should it be that the walls that separate Muslims from one another will not eventually fall?

But what about the pessimists who cite a barrage of reasons why such unification is pie in the sky? Their criticisms broadly fall into four categories

Firstly, to them a transnational entity such as the Khilafah remains a medieval notion and out of date in today’s world. Yet it is exactly the globalised world that we live in today, which makes such an entity even more possible and the nation state model so outdated. A transnational state is now required more than ever to deal with transnational problems like third world poverty, pandemic diseases, environmental degradation, water shortages as well as energy and food security. In addition global communications and global travel now make Istanbul and Islamabad, Karachi and Kuala Lumpur, Tripoli and Tashkent much closer than they once were.

Secondly, they argue that Muslims have no desire for such a state, that they are more content with the status quo. This is completely bogus, the idea that Muslims do not desire political unity not only contradicts all anecdotal evidence but is rebutted by empirical data such as a University of Maryland poll taken last year which concluded that almost two thirds of Muslims polled in Indonesia, Pakistan, Morocco and Egypt wanted a unified Caliphate. This should not surprise anyone as the borders between Muslim states are purely cosmetic, Muslims have one faith, one set of values, a common history and a shared future destiny. Lines drawn on maps in London and Paris in the early part of the 20th century are as artificial as the Berlin Wall which divided Germany for decades. In addition, the current leaders in the Muslim lands backed by their western masters have offered nothing but failed leadership. These leaders promise a better society, yet all Muslims have seen are broken promises, brutal governance and rampant corruption.

Thirdly, the critics cite irreconcilable differences between Muslims, Arab and non-Arab, Shia and Sunni, Wahabhi and Brehlvi. Pointing to cultural as well as doctrinal differences they claim that unity remains an illusion while such groupings exist. Yet what these critics fail to grasp is that Islam provides a huge melting pot that over the last fourteen centuries has united different races, colours and tribes. Shias and Sunnis have often lived together, intermarried and fought alongside each other while not forcing opinions on each other. Indeed the Islamic State while having common laws to govern societal relations would not take fixed positions in disputed doctrinal matters. Such a position therefore allows every school of thought sufficient space to argue their case, thus enriching the whole of society, while ensuring no Muslim is ever oppressed for their views.

Lastly the critics argue that even if Muslims want unity, it’s a crazy notion to believe that Muslims could ever achieve such a state, a fantasy reality show in the minds of a small minority. However there exists a plausible path to political unity in the Muslim world. Firstly, the mindset of having 57 weak nation states which are either occupied by the west or controlled by them is outdated. Secondly, in response to their current dire situation and the challenges of the 21st century, Muslims will increasingly demand the implementation of Islam and political unity. Thirdly, the removal of one of the existing regimes in the Muslim world with the establishment of an Islamic state is now a question of when and not if. Lastly, the establishment of this Islamic State will act as a powerful catalyst for political unity throughout the Muslim world, a domino effect that will be difficult to resist. Muslims all across the world are eagerly waiting for such a state that will once again courageously stand up for Muslims and Islam.

So we call on all Muslims today to support with all their efforts the goal of political unity in the Muslim world, a scenario which even the CIA’s own research think tank now predicts will occur. To work actively against the western agenda for permanent division. To overcome our corrupt rulers who would prefer to see us weak. To trump the pessimists who only espouse defeatist solutions. We in Hizb ut-Tahrir are not naïve dreamers, we are present in huge numbers in every major Muslim country and have detailed solutions to the challenges we face. As we have seen historically and only very recently, major political change which can only have been dreamed of in the past can come very rapidly and abruptly. So, dear Muslims, we are not just blessed with vast resources but we have the strong Islamic belief. This is our time, this is our opportunity, the 21st century will be a century of immense challenges but even greater possibilities. To have any chance of success we must all unite; we must come together; we must row in the same direction. Political unity is not a dream but a necessity.

Allah (swt) said "And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allâh's Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together." (Translated Meaning Surah Al-Imran 3:103)

Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain
16th August 2008
14th Shaban 1429

Add this Article to your Bookmark site