Divide and rule was the dreaded curse. Historically, the British Empire was blamed for playing the divide and rule strategy to fester, create and sustain conflict in territories they enslaved but lost in freedom struggles especially in the Subcontinent. Prime examples were the partition that divided Kashmir between India and Pakistan and the border conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The American ascendancy post in the 70s and 80s saw a focus on the same strategy in the Middle East. The rise of the west and the stagnancy of the east - the Middle East - is what has been the pattern in the World Order for the last 5 decades. It is only the recent rise of the East Asian tiger China that has challenged the model of western supremacy. The Muslim world, especially the oil rich Arab world, has become a symbol of monarchies that are busy fighting battles amongst each other and throne conspiracies rather than competing in an increasingly cut throat world. The major difference in the development index of the west has been the ability of the two major geographical regions is the ability to learn from history and move ahead for a common vision and purpose.
While the west formed common economic blocs to unite and leverage their resources the Muslim countries failed to rise above their history to synergize the opportunity of leading the world. Europe formed a Union by combining 27 countries in a trading bloc. The idea of a single market in Europe was made immediately after the World War 11. The Treaty of Maastricht came into being in 1950 envisaging a united instead of divided Europe disconnecting from the history of conflict and wars. Over the next half century 27 countries of Europe became more and more integrated as the alliance became a common market, monetary union and finally a political union.
The Muslim world also made common blocs to protect their interests. OIC- Organization of Islamic Cooperation- came into being in 1969. The OIC first met a month after an arson attack inside Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on August 21, 1969. The second Islamic Summit was convened in February 1974 in Lahore, Pakistan, after a gap of five years. Representatives from nearly 35 countries attended, proclaiming that "the solidarity of the Islamic peoples is based not on hostility towards any other human communities nor on distinctions of race and culture."
Institutions and alliances are based on a common vision and a shared responsibility to implement the vision. The OIC's mission statement states it as "the collective voice of the Muslim world" that works to "protect the interests of the Muslim world". Indisputably this vision is a very just and inspiring foresight for a common purpose of the organization. Disputably this vision has become a victim of disputes. The lack of common interests between the main members has reduced this organization to ceremonial gathering of the Islamic world whose attendance is needed to keep the organization going.
For an international alliance to work, commonality of interest is paramount. The EU has a commonality of geographical, economic, and political interests to follow. OIC has more of a cultural and religious commonality rather than economic and political sharing of interests. For a partnership to work partners need to have stakes for ownership. In the case of EU the trading potential has brought huge benefits for member countries. A single market for over 300 million consumers has made each country gain. Lesser countries like Portugal and Greece have received economic packages and bailouts from the EU. Top European Universities and technical centers through joint ventures have improved the knowledge base and international presence and prominence of Europe as a serious contender in the world competitiveness.
In contrast, Islamic blocs have limited themselves to periodic resolutions that have little significance. Given that after the UN, OIC is the world's largest international bloc, its performance has been minimal. The reasons are that it is internally divided, lacks focus on economics and is limited on its scope. Thus for the Muslim world to develop its potential a rethink on the following lines is required:
1. Create a New Vision or a New Bloc - Either OIC needs to revisit its mission and make it more comprehensive or make a new bloc with a larger focus. The mission that states a common Muslim voice is fine but there should be stronger mechanisms where this "commonality" rises above religious and political differences. A higher powered conflict resolution committee that represents different Islamic thoughts should be made to prevent western forces to exploit these divisions.
2. Create Economic Interdependence- Shareholding ensures ownership. The EU was popular due to their mutual economic stakes. Brexit is being viewed with great apprehension as Britain may suffer economic losses due to leaving this bloc. A proposed new bloc- Asia Africa trade and Development from OIC - should be formed for promoting economic development like the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation.
3. Focus on Knowledge Development - To lead the world, you have to lead in knowledge and innovation. COMSTECH is the standing committee on Scientific and Technology promotion of OIC members is housed in Pakistan. It is time to raise its status, funding, and deliverables where it develops a forum synergizing the knowledge economy and creating Asian African research universities to produce and lead in future innovation development.
When we know that the west has successfully played the game of divide and rule we should also know that the best way to lead the world is by doing the opposite: "unite and rule". To do that more common stakes need to be developed. As the future and fate of the Islamic countries becomes intertwined economically and financially, the more there will be motivation for countries to partner and work towards mutually beneficial goals.
(The writer can be reached at andleeb.abbas1@gmail.com)