Iran and Turkey (And Maybe Pakistan, Malaysia, etc.):
Maybe the Beginning of a New Era for the Moslem World

One of the most phenomenal characteristics of Islam is that it is indeed a universal message and its adherents have an understandably strong affinity (a feeling of fraternal association) towards each other that is perhaps unequalled by any other form of religious human cohesiveness. An English historian (and politician) once remarked that one of the most peculiar things about Islam is that it could go down to the bottom of the pit in terms of taking on a respectable prominence in this world. However, and all of a sudden, one is bound to see the Moslem World rebound back into a robust and powerful culture that takes on the banner of Islam to new heights of cultural and economic progress. This would be in addition to a healthy and viable display of an international movement that has a strong influence in the affairs of humankind in all spheres of human development. Unfortunately many people, who have never taken a close and objective look at Islam tend to view Islam as merely being a religious movement that is prone to violence, materialist plunder and voluptuous harems as Hollywood and many misinformed or prejudiced historians or chroniclers tend to picture this most dynamic of all spiritual inclinations. One is not interested in delving into the background causes of the current pitiful state of the Moslem World, while not ignoring that Moslems are not entirely free from any responsibility for the sorry state the Nation of Islam is in. On the latter, it is pathetically sad that many Moslems, as individuals as well as states, have forgotten that they themselves are actually causing great harm to their nation, either by outright acquiescence to foreign powers or out of their poor comprehension of the expectations that come with belonging to the universal Nation of Islam. Mainstream Moslems of the world have become appalled by the behavior of the many Moslem (and especially Arab Governments) as the latter worked diligently to kill the institutionalization of mainstream Islam in all its sectoral manifestations. They also fail to understand why many Moslem leaders actually seek to distance their constituencies from a proper understanding of their own faith. They either have introduced horrendous distortions of the religious principles that have always put Islam in the forefront of modern theological and dogmatic human attachments. They are of course not doing this for any misunderstanding of their religion. They are quite aware that had they are vulnerable if their constituencies were to enjoy the appropriate civil liberties and human rights now deemed standard of all modern progressive nations. One should not be misled by the Taliban or Wahhabi renditions, which have tended erroneously to capture media attention, more because of their bizarre heresies and misinterpretation of the very progressive social implications of the message delivered by the Prophet Mohammed (PABAUH)[1] some fourteen hundred years ago. Notwithstanding the lip service most current Moslem Governments try to project to show their attachment to the religion of Islam, the truth of the matter is that their application of Moslem teachings, on the social front leave a lot to be desired.
The current display of strong Moslem states like Iran, Turkey, Malaysia and belatedly Pakistan of efforts to bring back the Moslem World to its rightful place in guiding this world to a better climate of human cohesion and international justice and equal opportunities for all inhabitants of this planet (as well as non-Moslems) is very inspiring and healthy indeed. The observer could not escape from noticing that there are indications that all hope is not lost for the Moslems of the world and the rest of humanity, who have been left out of the vast progress that has been made in most of the significant fields that can bring greater well being and prosperity to all people of the world.
It is understandable why Turkey should do the only possible thing to save its face and keep its international stature, especially with the leading players in the European Union simply not finding it acceptable for Turkey to be regarded as one of their peers. The former have sought to put every obstacle to keep Turkey from joining this agglomeration of modern nations and now Turkey rightfully turned to the Moslem World for a better chance at expanding its economic and political prospects. The experience of Turkey as the leader of the Moslem World and holder of the Caliphate for four hundred years would certainly enrich the prospects for all the Moslem World to come out of their subservience to the Western masters of their governments. To follow a greater course of independence would certainly be welcome by most Moslems of the world and sooner or later, most Moslem constituencies would get on the bandwagon. Iran has shown that it can be done and no matter what obstacles and hindrances a Moslem nation faces, as it seeks to become set on a proper course of development, as long as one plays by the book, the barriers can easily be overcome.
For sure this is causing great worry in Israel, but then again so what?
[1] Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him

Yemen Times Issue 1308
November 2, 2009