The Muslim World. DECEMBER 1999 ISSUE

In other words, it is incumbent upon Islamic States to have “a universal convention of action or “Global Agenda” to clearly show where they stand in our contemporary world along with their stance towards the great challenges this Globe is facing in the framework of the current “unipolar” World Order and where the smear, spiteful anti-Islamic campaigns do nothing but grow. Our countries should embark upon this path in a bid to remedy such a situation, thereby safeguarding the interests of Islam and ensure their place in the tenacious forward steps of the humankind.

To be able to evolve such an Islamic program, it is imperative for us to have, first of all, a combined political will for general mobilization with a view to putting an end to our scattered intellectual trends and tendencies and our discordent voice which may only lead us to marginalization and further weakness. We must undertake a genuine, serious and well-studied action proceeding from courageous thinking and an all embracing vision of the tasks lying ahead of us to get into the present global mainstream and to appropriately integrate into the global economy in order to join the fast current contemporary civilization. Such a goal, however, can be reached only through genuine, aiming, collective action. We must be equipped with the capability and inner, undeniable drive to respect and abide by what we decide upon in the form of resolutions and recommendations, besides implementing and turning into action the agreements we conclude and sign.

Mahathir criticizes Western treatment of Muslims
Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad urged Western powers to treat Muslims better, warning that attacks and sanctions on Muslim nations would create endless “recruits, to terrorism.”

“it may be coincidental, but the fact is that most of the targets of oppression and attacks are Muslims and Muslim countries,” Mahathir said in a speech on September 9, “Is it any wonder that Muslims everywhere feel oppressed, feel angry, bitter and frustrated?”

Mahathir, leader of predominantly Muslim Malaysia for 21 years, is a supporter of the international fight against terrorism, but opposed the US-backed military campaign in Afghanistan and has warned of global instability if the United States attacks Iraq. Mahathir said that issues such as Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory and Western sanctions against Iraq, Iran, Libya and Sudan had forced some Muslims to “retaliate … through acts of terror, hitting out blindly at the innocents as well as the guilty.”

Rohingyas in Myanmar allege extortion
Maungdaw (Myanmar): In June 2002, the Chairman of the Maungdaw District Peace and Development Committee issued notices to many Rohingya village heads in Maungdaw, Myanmar, ordering to demolish several houses which were allegedly built on farm lands without permission. The order stipulated demolition of 40 houses from Maungnama village, 20 houses from Naingchaung village, 15 houses from Kyariprang village, 35 houses from Naisapru village, 10 houses from Kazirbil village, 80 houses from Laungdun village and 35 houses from Bawlibazar Nayafara village. The said villages are located north of Maungdaw town. Similar orders have been issued to villages south of Maungdaw.

The Heads of the above villages appealed to the Chairman of the Maungaw District Peace and Development Committee to reconsider his order. He demanded huge amount of money from the affected villagers to stop carrying out the order. Accordingly the people paid Kyat 48.2 million to the Chairman of the Maungaw District Peace and Development Committee. But after the receiving money, the authorities again renewed the order through the heads of villages to demolish the houses and evacuate the inmates immediately.

Tens of thousands of houses have been affected by the order. The affected Rohingya villagers do not know what to do in the future and are passing their days in utter frustration. Rohingyas are Arakanese Muslims who allege harassment by the majority community. – Kyaw Maung, Arakan News Agency.

Some of the most important current issues that make it incumbent upon us to coordinate our efforts as to the ways and means to deal with them include those pertaining to terrorism, globalization and the Palestinian cause, which is in the forefront of all problems.