A few days ago the UN warned that food prices could rise by 10% to 20% next year after poor harvests and an expected rundown of global reserves. More than 70 African and Asian countries will be the worst hit, said the Food and Agricultural Organization in its monthly report. In its gloomiest forecast since the 2007/08 food crisis, which saw food riots in more than 25 countries and 100 million extra hungry people, the report’s authors urged states to prepare for hardship. “Countries must remain vigilant against supply shocks,” the report warned. “Consumers may have little choice but to pay higher prices for their food. The size of next year’s harvest becomes increasingly critical. For stocks to be replenished and prices to return to more normal levels, large production expansions are needed in 2011.” Furthermore the UN warned that international food import bills could pass the $1 trillion mark, with prices in most commodities up sharply from 2009. Global food reserves, which currently stand at around 74 days, are now expected to decrease significantly in the next few months. “Cereal reserves may drop by around 7%, barley nearly 35%, maize 12% and wheat 10%. Only rice reserves are expected to increase, by 6% next year,” said the report. Much now hangs on next year’s harvests, it said. “International prices could rise even more if production next year does not increase significantly – especially in maize, soybean and wheat. Even the price of rice, the supply of which is more adequate than other cereals, may be affected if prices of other major food crops continue climbing.”
Whilst it is apparent that some of the food price hikes are due to a fall in production-Russia’s ban on wheat exports in the aftermath of the fires- the UN has again overlooked the main culprit, food speculation and the declining value of the dollar. Both are playing havoc with food prices worldwide. The debasement of the dollar reduces the purchasing power of the currency to buy goods and services. As most of the world’s staple foods are traded in dollars, the country purchasing staple foods has to pay more in order to secure the same amount of food supplies to feeds its hungry population. Often poorer countries do not have extra dollars to meet the rise in food prices. Hence some nations are forced to borrow dollars at high interest rates, which in turn makes them further indebted to the donor nations. Other countries are forced to make structural changes to their agricultural policies and grow cash crops instead of staple foods. Thus poorer countries find themselves engulfed in a vicious cycle i.e. they borrow more to pay off debtor nations and at the same time deprive their people of food. Still there are some poorer countries, which have abundance of staple foods, but are forced to sell their crops to earn foreign exchange to pay off debt owed to first world nations.
What makes the food equation even worse between the ‘haves and the have nots’ is rampant speculation by the haves. Speculation usually translates into huge food price spikes, especially when the value of the dollar plunges. This is exactly what happened a few years ago. And now after the recent announcement by the US Federal Reserve to spend an extra $600 billion to stimulate the US economy, speculation on the price of essential food commodities has increased and will continue do so for a considerable time to come. The net effect is that food prices will increase sharply and thereby deprive millions around the world of a basic right.
The Muslim world will be adversely impacted by rising food prices and this will leaves millions of Muslims deprived of food and vulnerable to the harsh economic conditions imposed by the West. The only way for the Muslim ummah to protect her from ever increasing food prices is to work for the re-establishment of the Caliphate. The Caliphate will protect its currency by basing it on the bimetallic standard. Hence food prices will stabilize and will not undergo extreme fluctuations as witnessed today. Moreover, the Caliphate will prohibit food speculation, hoarding and price fixing, thereby ensuring that all citizens of the state are able to afford food. For those unfortunate citizens, who are unable to fend for themselves, the Caliphate will buy foodstuffs from the open market and tend to their needs.
The messenger of Allah (SWT) said, “The Son of Adam has no better right than that he would have a house wherein he may live, a piece of clothing whereby he may hide his nakedness and a piece of bread and some water.” [Tirmidhi]
Correct me if i’m wrong. It is my humble opinion that all problems of ummah should be solved and only could be solved by deen al-Islam, InsyaAllah. Stressing on politic and power gain could not change the environment. It is more important to jihad on strengthening our aqidah and way of life as thought by our Prophet saw. Throne is promised by Allah will be given to Islam, as long as we put taqwa at front.
Khilafah is only one of thousands mechanism and tools and not in anyway to be our aim. Because once we are too ambitious in gaining power and throne, always afraid that we could not fulfill the amanah…
Jazakallah for your question.
Allah (swt) has provided us with a comprehensive system – al Islam. The Islamic rules however require the Khilafah to implement them, policies such as poverty, tax revenues, punishments etc, require the khilafah. Whilst strengthening our aqeedah is indeed important and necessary this is something that continues irrespective of the situation. That on its own will not remove the occupation of our lands or make use of the resources present in our lands. Khilafah is the only method ordained in Islam to implement the Islamic rules, carry Islam to the world and protect the deen.
Asalamu alaikum,
I just wanted to ask how does Hizb-ut-tahir intend to put a person in the position of khilafah? and what is its position in terms of the arrival of Imam Mehdi (RA)? My knowledge of Islam is limited, so please excuse my ignorance, and may Allah inshaAllah increase me and the whole of the Ummah in guidance and guie us all to the right path inshaAllah. I await your response, Jazakallah khair.
HH
Jazakhllah for your question
In Hizb ut-Tahrir’s book ‘The ruling system in Islam,’ we go into detail about the method and rules of appointing a Khalifah. In short, Islam obliges that the Ummah’s consent is sought in order to appoint the Khalifah and this could ascertained through various means such as elections. As the Khaleefah has to be appointed within 3 days, the Ummah currently has been without a Khaleefah for more than 80 years!. In this case those who establish the Khilafah would appoint a Khalifah. In establishing the Khilafah, Hizb ut-Tahrir works to change the public opinion in the Muslim world and works to establish public opinion for Islam, in order that change can occur in reality.
Regarding Imam Mahdi, this has no bearing on establishing the Khilafah as the Khilafah is obligatory to establish based in its own evidences. The sahabah appointed the Khalifah after the Prophet (saw) passed away, without any consideration to Imam mahdi.
I’m from Indonesia. I just want to say that our struggle will never be useless… It is just a matter of time.
I’d like to cry when I saw thousands Moslems do betrayal in Moslem country like Indonesia. It’s really hurting. But I know we’ll get that victory, Insya Allah
Allahu Akbar…
Please shed light on the details of the ways of appointment of Islamic Caliphs as stipulated in islam, strictly with reference to Quran and Sahih traditions. I face difficulties when I (have to) confront with brothers and sisters of different faiths. The foundation of Caliphate after RasoolAllah itself saw different modes of selection.. It seems tough to justify it..
Assalamu alaikum,
The following article is a good look into the subject and especially related to our times
http://www.khilafah.com/index.php/the-khilafah/khilafah/9842-who-will-fill-the-government-posts-in-a-future-khilafah-and-from-where-in-society-will-they-be-selected-from
Jazak Allah khair,
Wassalamu alaikum
……….justify difference in modes of appt.whereas sense says that it should not be like that.. because Allah many a times has said in The Quran that It is only he who guides and appoints Islamic leaders
The methodology of appointing a Khaleefah is taking from the example showed to us by the beloved Companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) when the appointed the Khuafah ar Rashidoon. This is a duty as a Muslim that Allah will account us for as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said “……and whoever dies without the bay’ah to a Khaleefah on his neck, dies the death of the days of jahilliya (ignorance)” [Muslim]
asalamu alaykum
i’m an american my family originated from somalia i like america because i can enjoy alot of privileges here that i cannt enjoy else where but at the same time i am very proud to be a muslim because islam makes alot of sense to me and i have recently finnished high school and want to learn more about islam without having to join this group or make any commitment (expect learning everything which is related to the mind and not the gun) i live in dallas,texas can you help me inshallah
Jazakhllah
Wa alaikum as salam Sakaria
Jazak Allah for your comment. While many people your age are probably only thinking about enjoying life, mashAllah it’s great to hear your desire to learn about Islam. While America offers many privileges, its excellent to hear that you’ve not lost the love for the Muslim Ummah. In your pursuit of knowledge I would urge you to investigate why it is that the Muslim world is in the state it is in (which makes many leave Muslim lands like Somalia); was it always this way? Looking at Islamic history; how can the Muslim Ummah enjoy peace, security and livelihood; and as Muslims, what is our role in bringing about a positive change to this Ummah. May Allah aid and guide us all.
Wassalam, Abdallah
In its report titled “Six Months into the Floods”, Oxfam says hundreds of thousands remain in camps and thousands are living in tents beside their destroyed homes.
“Sub-zero winter temperatures have increased diseases of chest infections, including influenza and pneumonia, with over 200,000 cases reported in the second week of January alone. In the south, swathes of land – both homesteads and agricultural – remain under contaminated water,” says the agency, concerned that pre-flood malnutrition rates have risen.
It says Pakistan’s floods are the biggest emergency of recent times with more than 18 million people affected and warns action is needed now to prevent secondary food crisis. What little emergency relief that was provided by the government is due to end on January 31.
Also,
SINDH FACES ACUTE HUNGER: UNICEF
http://www.arynews.tv/english/newsdetail.asp?nid=41614
Such warnings serve as “the calm before the storm”, as the ‘contagion’ spreads from North…