The future of the Muslim Ummah is inextricably linked with democracy. This should end the disparities among the Muslim countries and within each country between the elite and the street.
Addressing a seminar here on Thursday, Senator Syed Mushahid Hussain disclosed that it was the first and foremost recommendation of the Ummah think-tank of eminent persons set up to devise strategy for meeting the challenges faced by the Islamic world.
Syed Mushahid Hussain who represents Pakistan on the panel was giving a keynote address on the launching of a book by former Egyptian ambassador "Arab dialogue with world on the current international issues".
Speaking about the report of the eminent persons, Mushahid said that the first challenge noted by the panel was political. In the Muslim world there is gulf between the rulers and the ruled. This has to be bridged by the Muslims themselves saying that neither President Bush nor Prime Minister Blair would resolve the issue. Foreign prescriptions don't work and this has to be worked out by the Muslim nations themselves. He emphasised that it is our own mess and no one would come with a magic wand to clear it.
He said that democracy alone would ensure the future destiny of the Muslim Ummah. According to him this envisages dialogue within each country and among Muslim countries to rid them of widening gulf between the elite and the street.