Islamic Movement and The Global Perspective
Qazi Hussain Ahmad

Different people offer different comments on Jama'at-e-Islami's policies in national and international arena. What should be Jama'at's policies in the existing global order? Should it adopt a new strategy with respect to Pakistan and India? More particularly, what would be the outcome of Jehad in Kashmir? For what aims Jama'at is active in this Jehad? These are some of the important and basic questions that are asked by everyone who has an interest in Islamic movements and their future. It is, therefore, pertinent to try to understand problems of Islamic movements at a particular time and place while keeping in view their entire strategies in the existing global order.

For appreciating the strategy of Islamic Movement anywhere, it is necessary to keep in view some basic facts:

1. While adopting any particular view on an issue, it is essential to find out as to what guidance is provided by Qur'an and Sunnah in that regard because Qur'an and Sunnah constitute the last message that Allah conveyed as the only way for the guidance of the humanity till doomsday.

2. Islam is a universal religion and has a message that is also universal - for the entire humanity.

3. With the existing geographical situation of the world, and the national states carved out therein, we can for the present continue our mission of peacefully spreading the message of Islam observing geographical divisions and abiding by their constitutions and laws.

We, thus, devise policies on different issues keeping in consideration the basic requirements of justice and fairplay.

With different geographical and political circumstances in different countries, Islamic movements cannot follow only one identical course of action or work in the form of one organization. Therefore, they are constrained to adopt different strategies suiting their peculiar conditions. In countries where there are absolute monarchies, ban on formation of parties and proscription of free speech, and in other countries which allow formation of political parties, respect freedom of speech and uphold the rule of law, Islamic movements' would certainly have different strategies. Distinct strategies have to be evolved for every country. For example, India is a non-Muslim majority country whereas Pakistan is a Muslim majority country with an Islamic constitution where the guidance of Qur'an and Sunnah and Allah's Lordship has been accepted through the Objectives Resolution. The Islamic movements in these countries cannot have one identical policy. Both the countries are bogged in disputes and issues like Kashmir. In that respect too, Islamic movements in both the countries have their own considerations. Yet, the movements in both the countries are bound by Islamic principles to ensure that their stance and policies are based on truth.

Viewing the existing world order, we find that there are designs of the US, which is striving for its recognition as world’s lone super power, and that all world disputes are settled according to its will. The whole world should tow its line. It desires that no power should emerge that could confront it or match it in strength. Further, all those powers that have potential to become a challenge for it in the near or distant future must be prevented from acquiring more strength and power. In the near future, China is likely to pose a challenge to it. America, therefore, desires to encircle China, cordon it off and break it from inside. This desire determines its policies in Far East, South Asia and Middle East. After the dismemberment of the USSR and humbling down its successor, i.e. the Russian Federation, economically, the US wishes that Russia does not gain power again; rather it should remain entangled in internal strife.

Islamic movements around the globe pose the greatest ideological challenge to the US in some distant future. This is the pivot of its policies in the Middle East and the whole Muslim world. A great majority of American intellectuals, that influence its policies, refuse to accept Islamic movement as a positive phenomenon and a struggle for the good of the whole humanity. Instead, they regard it as the greatest factor responsible for disturbing world peace. A favorite theme for the Western media is to depict Islam as a synonym for violence, extremism and militancy. The West strives to ensure that Muslim world does not forge unity, to defame Islamic movements in their respective countries. Further, their attempts are to ensure that even the resources of Muslims are used against the Islamic movements by using the rulers of Muslim countries as their tools and puppets and by creating cleavages between public and governments. They want the armed forces of Muslim countries to stand against their own people.

American design aims at placing the weak and small countries under the tutelage of mini-super powers of the region. For that end to realize, the US deems it necessary to prop up Israel and India as mini-powers in their respective regions and all the Muslim states from Indonesia to Turkey be controlled with their cooperation. America does not want to see any Muslim country as capable of defending itself. It wants Muslim countries depend on it, both politically and economically. Under this plan America is interested in raising India as a mini-power in South Asia. China can be encircled only by alienating Pakistan and Bangladesh from the rest of the Muslim world through India and placing them under the tutelage of India so that the whole block could be mobilized against China. Similarly, taking advantage of the divisions among the Arab countries, Israel should be raised as a mini-power in Middle East. Thus, India and Israel both enjoy US' blessings and support.

On the other hand, chaos is created among the newly liberated states from the former USSR - the Muslim democracies of Central Asia and the Caucasus. They are kept de-stabilized so that all the countries from Turkey to Pakistan - which include Muslim areas of Caucasus and Tataristan in addition to Turkey, Afghanistan and six Central Asian states - do not become an economic, cultural and political entity even in the distant future. Anti-Islamic forces want to ensure that the Arab world from Morocco to Yemen and Turk nations from Eastern Europe to East Turkistan do not get united. Their language, their area and their breed are same but they have been dispersed. Similarly Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Pakistan are large Muslim populations but they have been subjected to internal de-stabilization.

Presently the most important question for the Ulema, the intellectuals, the policy-making institutions of the Muslim World and for those responsible for deciding the future course of action for the Islamic movements is: Whether the state of chaos presently visible and pervading throughout the Muslim World should be accepted as a reality for all the times to come or the possibility of unity be also kept in view that the Arab countries, Turk nations, Muslim countries of Africa including big countries like Nigeria and Sudan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan would be able any time in future for sincere economic, cultural and political cooperation after getting rid of external meddling and influences. A correct course of action can be charted out in the light of a correct reply to this question.

A comparative study of the situation of the Muslim world during the early 20th century and at present clearly indicate as if a plan of the dominance of Islam is in a process of completion, gradually. The movements for the revival of Islam have carved out a place for themselves and now the West is targeting them. They have become the focus of hope for the people in many countries. In several countries experiments are being carried out to pave way for the establishment of Islamic order. A period of struggle and contesting views, like the present one, is a good omen for the future.

It should not be ignored that Muslim world is a stark reality and that Islam, as a force and as a system of the future, is needed not only by the Muslim world but by the entire humanity. Now that the human beings of the world are connected with each other through media, the world has become a cosmic village and its inhabitants a family. Their mutual links have increased and the world has become a unit through internet. This unity is getting strengthened with constant advancement of technology. The geographic boundaries cannot restrict ideologies, perceptions, ideas and creeds. If immodesty and obscenity is rampant, beneficial knowledge for the humanity and norms also exist everywhere. Disturbed, vexed and impatient humanity seeks truth that cannot be kept away from sight for long. The dust of false propaganda would ultimately settle down and the tentacles of falsehood would end because these are like a weak cobweb. What is needed is that the leaders of Islamic movements, while deciding their strategy, should act with tolerance and sagacity and continue their advance with firm faith and belief.

Some people present it as an absolute reality that this world is 'unipolar', that US' writ would prevail and that the strategy evolved by America for the whole world is bound to succeed. In order to overawe others they propagate that America is now in a position to see through its satellite cameras even the minute things like wristwatches of the people and that even the slightest movement anywhere in the world cannot go unnoticed. Thus, America is presented as if it is omnipotent and knows what is visible and what is not. Their aim is that the whole world develops a slavish mentality and renouncing the freedom surrenders to America, submits to its interests and seeks safety by ensuring the implementation of its policies. Those serving the interests of America are advising the weaker nations and their people that they should try to attain some position in their own region by winning pleasure of America, keeping in view its policies and its strategies.

The fact is that America itself is bankrupt morally and culturally. It is unstable even economically. It has come out of a decade long recession only recently. But its economy is unstable and financially it is like a balloon that may be punctured and flattened any time. Though it appears strong militarily but the army that fears death cannot perform any feat and play the role of leadership, particularly when far away from their borders. It is taken as a super power but the perception of its lasting dominance is a delusion, a product of hallucination.

If in Pakistan we accept American hegemony and think that our safety is in taking advice from the lobby which harps on US' role, the simple way open to us is to wash our hand off our nuclear program, give up the advancement of our missile technology work, down-size our army to the extent that it merely meets internal security requirements and poses no challenge to Indian designs, accept Indian hegemony in the region and accept such a solution of Kashmir that is acceptable to India and America and that includes the suggestion for the permanence of the control line.

We have in our country a pro-Indian lobby that argues for India's ascendancy in the garb of Pak-India friendship. Sometimes we get the impression as if India's interests are dearer to them as compared to those of Pakistan and Muslim Ummah. They forget that internally India itself is in the process of dismemberment. Presently there exist as many as 17 centrifugal movements in India. They claim for independence or semi-independent position. Pakistan, despite all its ills and weaknesses, is better than India in terms of economy. According to the World Development Report 1998-1999, per capita income in Pakistan was US$ 490, whereas in India it was US$ 390 per annum. In regard to poverty India's position is even worse. While in Pakistan 34% people were living below poverty line, in India this percentage was 41%. In Pakistan, only 11.61% were earning a dollar daily whereas in India they are 52.5%. Similarly, those who earn two dollars a day in Pakistan constitute 57% and in India 88.8%. What India is spending on defense may result in its disaster like that of Russia. Those who have vision and insight can foresee it clearly. If the argument of this lobby is conceded to, it would mean that Pakistan should not lead the Muslim world and restrain itself from striving to attain a distinct and a prominent future in the community of nations. It means that Pakistan should not care for Afghanistan and Central Asia but rather leave this entire area at the mercy of America, or at the most may play such a role as may be assigned to it both by America and India as a US' puppet under Indian tutelage.

As Muslims it is not possible for us to adopt such a strategy for Pakistan or for the Islamic movement. We regard Islam as the last message from Allah and regard it as the guarantee for the prosperity of humanity. We believe that man can find relief and solace by coming in the folds of Islam. To make Pakistan a laboratory for Islam, it is essential to attain political, cultural and economic freedom from India and America. For this end to materialize it is simply essential for us to achieve economic self-reliance and to gain defense strength. If we renounce Kashmir, leaving Kashmiri Mujahideen in the lurch and hand over Kashmir to India, then it would surely be the beginning of our downfall and destruction. India shall not feel satiated with even that because a usurper does not get contended after a victory. India shall proceed to make Pakistan a completely dependent state. Now that efforts are being made for the development of science and technology and the nation seeks comprehensive scientific development, one of its causes is its resolve to compete India at international level, this resolve and urge would die down after submitting to India's supremacy. The spirit to advance would abate after entrusting our defense to India. Then Pakistan shall be exploited economically as well.

Some people are of the view that America does not want agreement between Pakistan and India, therefore both the countries must join together to pressurize America. But these people talk about American encircling of China for which the joint strategy of India, America and Russia is that Pakistan's nuclear missile program is removed from the way so that china could be besieged from the South. This strategy of using the Muslim world for their own ends cannot succeed with mere agreement between India and Pakistan, rather it requires that Pakistan be made a subservient state and India a mini-super power. It is true that America does not like India and Pakistan to come to terms. If India's intellectuals are to make their rulers understand that India should be taken out of American influence by correcting their relations with China and Pakistan, the only way for doing this is to give up Indian obstinacy on Kashmir issue and abstaining from their oft-repeated claim of Kashmir as its integral part. Kashmiris be allowed to decide according to their own will. Thus American intrusion in this area can be checked through an understanding between India and Pakistan.

India does not like this because the Muslim states of Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey and Pakistan together constitute a big political and economic power. India is afraid of this power of the future. Further Muslim population in India itself is more than 150 million. Put together, India's scheduled castes and Muslims become a majority as compared to Brahman rulers and Khatri population. Therefore, the hallucination of Islamic fundamentalists haunts India just like it haunts Western powers.

Within the short span of our life we have learnt the lesson that big powers do not remain big forever. Swing of circumstances dwarfs the big ones and hoists up the small ones. Within our life time we saw Britain, in whose territories sun never set, reduced in size. Then the greatest armed might of USSR succumbed to internal rift and destroyed economically. Those European countries that have always been at daggers drawn and whose political rivalries got the whole world involved in the two World Wars are now getting closer under the banner of European Union.

It is not improbable that under the guidance of Islamic movements motivated by the universal ideology of Islam and its life-generating teachings the present dissensions among Muslims may transform into a movement of mutual accord and cooperation in the near future. And the OIC which at present exists only nominally may develop into a block for economic, defense and political cooperation in future - like ECO which comprises Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and the six states of Central Asia - that may depict cultural and political identity of Muslims. Indian and Western lobbies are active in the pursuit that to think of such a possibility is discarded as 'mere bragging' or 'utopian'. They are keen that Islamic movements do not proceed in this direction and instead reconcile with living in slavery, and teach the lesson of Indian, American and European supremacy under the excuse of realism.

Those who raise doubts about the struggle in Kashmir as being Jehad lacks substance. Their stand is weak and untenable. The truth is that India is subjugating Muslim population by its forcible military occupation and oppression and fraud. Muslims are struggling against this occupation. Under a categorical Qur'anic injunction it is incumbent upon Muslims that they come to the rescue of their oppressed Muslims. Jama'at-e-Islami is acting upon this injunction, as well as other Islamic movements. Jehad in Kashmir is Islamic Jehad in all respects and whoever can help in any way it would be regarded as Jehad in the way of Allah. Some people who reckon, as waste the sacrifices of the precious lives of the youth motivated by Islamic spirit, should appreciate that Jehad is like such a crop that grows when it is cut. It was illustrated to the holy Prophet allegorically during the Mairaj.

Some people raise the apprehensions of failure of Jehad and advise acceptance of Indian terms. This, they think, is the demand of sagacity and realism. But given the present situation, everyone can visualize that India cannot prolong its hold over Kashmir. India has suffered huge losses during last 10-12 years. Moreover, if the rulers of the Muslim world adopt measures for Muslims' honor and freedom, if Pakistan's government openly supports Jehad and does not retract its steps for the sake of realizing American designs, then this Jehad can come to fruition in a short period. The success of Mujahideen is ‘writing on the wall’. Every one can read this. If the logic of those who talk of surrendering to India is accepted, then oppression would never be uprooted from anywhere.

In the context of the existing world scene, it is imperative that unnecessary reasoning and arguments are avoided in deciding the strategy of the Islamic Movement. This is the need of the hour and humanity has a right on Muslim Ummah that Islam be presented as a universal ideology and complete welfare system. The adversaries of Islam are busy propagating that Islam is all about intolerance, oppression and terrorism. While countering it, we must repose firm faith in the truth of Islam so that the young generation may believe that the future of this world does not lie with America but it lies with Allah Almighty. If we proceed with sagacity, wisdom and absolute faith and with belief in Allah, then the Muslim world is a big power in all respects, possessing human and material resources, and geographically a large contiguous area in the middle of the globe. Above all, it has a Faith (Deen) that raises the individual above the self to the extent that he develops an urge to make sacrifices and to remain above all prejudices of race and color. We should draw strategies free from bigotry and fear and with absolute faith. It does not mean that we should follow a policy of confrontation with every force and at all times. Our first priority after Allah's pleasure should be the interests of the people. Within this framework we should maintain contacts and relations with the forces of world on the basis of equality. If to please America, Europe and India we invite Allah's wrath, and work for their interests instead of ours, the result would be that we shall incur Allah's displeasure and still these powers would not be gratified.

                          Index Isharat               Top

Translation and adaptation of the editorial of Tarjuman Ul Quran January 2000.