Human Security in the Muslim World

Outside Al-Azhar by muhammad.ezzat

Muslim societies around the world are facing a host of problems. Several aspects like war, terrorism , violence, corruption, injustice, lack of progress, poverty, illiteracy , human rights violation, dictatorship, lack of political transparency , ethnic conflicts and regional divisions have put into jeopardy the human security of Muslim people. Elitist interests have endangered the life of the commoners. The teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), which were considered to be the similitude of believers regarding the feelings of a body, when any limb aches, the whole body aches, have gone into oblivion insofar as practice is concerned. Alas, the degradation of ethical values and the spirit of fraternity among the Muslims have resulted in the inadequacy of materialistic aspects as well.

It is true that no single nation is able to tackle the complex challenges of today's interdependent world. Regional stability and human security especially in the Muslims world should be dealt with according to the Islamic legal system which is different in origin, nature and scope from that of any other legal system in the world . In keeping with Chapter VIII of the UN charter, it is legal to involve regional arrangements and agencies in the maintenance of international peace and security. There are many regional coalitions in the world, promoting peace and stability in their respective areas of concern, then why are we, the Muslims, so exhausted on all these issues? If the EU Foreign Policy Chief, Catherine Ashton can visit the ousted President  Morsi , then where are the diplomats of the Muslim world? Why is the US administration deliberating to use military power in Syria?

           The credibility of the international actors in the Muslim world is already at stake for their unethical preemptive wars and renditions. Hypocrisy and double standards of western policymakers have always deceived us on the claim for democracy and human rights. 

Therefore, it is better for the Muslims to take the matter in their own hands now. There is a dire need to revive the existing structure of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). If we want to protect the Muslims then the only solution to this dilemma is a "Muslims Peacekeeping Force'. An emergency OIC summit meeting is necessary to propose the military wing to finalize the deployment plan in the spirit of promoting peace and harmony. 

Its structure should be similar to the UN peacekeeping mission including special representatives to deal with all the political and diplomatic activities, responsibilities of the Force Commander for the military forces and the administrative office. The peacekeepers should remain members of their respective armed forces and should not constitute an independent army. This force would be from the countries where Islam is declared as the state religion but they can operate in all the member states of the OIC, even if the country has declared multiple religions or those countries without any constitutional or official announcement regarding the status of their religion. Its activities include cooperation in security, military, intelligence sharing, counter terrorism, joint military exercises and think tank for joint strategies and possibilities.

Inter alia, the code of honor of this force would be the verses from the Holy Quran that "If two parties of believers fight make peace between them, but if one of them attacks the other unjustly, fight the attackers until they revert to Allah's command. If they revert, make peace between them with justice, and be even handed. Allah loves those who are even handed. The believers are brothers, so make peace between your brothers and fear Allah so that hopefully you will gain mercy." (Al-Quran, Surah Hujrat, Verses 9-10)

           A panacea for all the miseries of Muslims is in the regional security force free from all the foreign influence and policies because a Quranic injunction decrees: "Those who disbelieve are the friends and protectors of one another. If you do not act like this way, there will be turmoil in the land and great corruption." (Surah Anfal, Verse-73) The clearest manifestation of this undying verse is Muslim Peacekeeping Force tasked to protect the Muslims' life and establishes its validity as an alternative paradigm.

           It will be a force incomparable with any other coalitions, as it will remove all barriers such as language, colour or ethnicity. Let us pray to unite our hearts in the path of Islam. It is Allah's promise that if we do that, then we will regain our dignity, power and glory and Allah does not break his promise.