Dilemma of Ummah
By the Editor

GOING by realism – President Pervez Musharraf is known for bold and candid approach to tackle various issues and – one gets an overall impression that he prefers to have optimistic view of things.

However, his speech on the occasion of National Seerat Conference in Islamabad at the weekend – sent quite an opposite message.

President’s address to Ulema and Mashaikh was, in a sense, inspiring and illuminating as well because he tried to touch minds and hearts of the audience.

Yet, while referring to the plight of the Muslim Ummah and the challenges facing it he painted a somewhat gloomy picture.

His remarks about internal differences and bickering, tendencies of extremism, economic plight and ignorance prevailing in the Muslim world clearly showed his pessimism about the state of affairs in the OIC member States.

It is not bad to have soul-searching as it provides an opportunity to identify weaknesses and how to overcome them.

But over-emphasis on negative aspects alone would have left demoralizing effect not only on the audience but all those who happen to listen to such things.

Speaking pragmatically, we do not expect from the person of the stature of the Head of the State to give so much importance to weak points and ignore the inherent strength of the Muslim Ummah.

No doubt, the cobweb of problems facing the Islamic world conveys the impression that it is directionless but the very fact that there is realization about deterioration augurs well for the future.

First of all, it would not be fair to say that the pathetic conditions of the Ummah are of its own making.

A cursory glance at what is happening in Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle East, Kashmir and other hot spots involving Muslim would show that they are being discriminated and suppressed because of their faith.

Extremism is in fact a reaction to the unjust and oppressive policies being pursued by those who matter in regional and world politics.

Similarly, moves aimed at restructuring of the OIC, frequent interaction of the Muslim leaders to have exchange of views on issues facing the Ummah and advances being made in the field of education especially science and technology – predominantly in countries like Pakistan, Malaysia and Turkey – are all positive signs.

These are reflective of the fact that given opportunity and right kind of atmosphere, Muslims have the potential to prosper and grow.

As is indexed in as reality – history has its own cycles of ups and downs and – amid this perspective – we feel optimistic that the Ummah would soon overcome its problems and regain its past glory in totality.●