NourNews – Internationally renowned Persian Poet and Philosopher Sheikh Saddi Shirazi’s poem titled “Bani Adam” hangs on the wall of the United Nations. In it, Sheikh Saddi says that all human beings are from the same essence and therefore they are equal in terms of rights and respect. Yet, the United Nations’ structure is completely undemocratic and prejudicial. The idea of Security Council’s 5 permanent members with a veto power is the prime example, where no resolution can be approved unless it suits the interests of P5.
Sheikh Saddi Shirazi’s idea derives from the Islamic Concept of Unity and Peace. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) declared the Human Rights Charter in his Farewell Sermon at Mount Arafat over 14 00 years ago, while the United Nations made Human Rights Declaration only 74 years back in 1946. Prophet Muhammad’s sermon along with his hadith on the rights of neighbors and the mankind or people over each other gives us basic idea of unity and peace.
The Holy Prophet said in his last sermon that: “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety (taqwa) and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”
Unfortunately, we have not adhered to the rules set out by our beloved Prophet and follow the United Nations, which constantly discriminate against us. The Muslims are 34 percent of world’s total population of 7.3 billions, but we don’t have a single permanent member at UNSC. The Muslims are also resourceful, but due to their lack of unity, their resources are exploited by their enemies.
The Western powers slaughtered each other until the World War Two, when they realized that they had to change their policies if they were to survive, but this fact has not dawn on us as yet. The Malaysian Summit was a small step in the right direction, where the Iranian, Malaysian, Turkish and Qatar’s heads of state argued for a joint Economic Market and a joint Currency. This summit was not attended by Pakistan due to Saudi’s boycott, but this is not a matter of grave concern. The E U was launched only by 5 member states. They were much smaller in size and number. The EU started with 5 members such as Belgium, Holland, Luxemburg, France and Italy. Today, the EU has 28 members. Whereas, the Muslim states started with 20 members and can be increased if they remain persistent.
As far the membership of United Nations, I don’t think there is anything for the Muslims. The past 74 years have shown us that the United Nations is a tool to maintain imperialistic hegemony. The Muslims don’t have to waste their time and energy. They should either set up a separate new body for themselves or invigorate the OIC with the addition of an International Muslim Court of Justice. This requires the Muslim rulers to set aside their petty differences and unite themselves for noble causes on the basis of good neighborhood and brotherhood.
The Islamic concept of neighborhood and brotherhood is a great source of unity and peace. Our Prophet advised us to maintain good relations with our neighbors and the Muslims across the world. If a Muslim suffers anywhere in the World, we should feel the same pain we feel for ourselves. At present, there is not a single Muslim country with sustained relations with its Muslim neighbor. Our Foreign Policy should be on the principle of a ZERO per cent conflict with the Muslim and non Muslim neighbors alike, if we are to recover and be able to resolve our outstanding issues. The United Nations is not going to solve any of our problems. We have waited long enough and now we should establish our own separate system to solve our problems ourselves!
by Quay Raja
