Does the Saudi dispensation know what the feelings of the one-fourth of mankind about its foreign policy are? Is Riyadh aware of the world Muslims’ view about its too-pronounced tilt towards the United States and its motivated allies, who flattened Iraq and dilapidated Afghanistan? Do the mandarins who run the administration know what the Ummah expects from the holy land?
Almost as a rule, the “practising Muslim” commentators give the proverbial benefit to the Saudis. The reason behind this margin is the fact that the Haramain are housed there. The title of the Saudi monarch, the “Khadmain-e-Harmain” also bridles their pen. The argument boils down to the point that it is not the Saudi progress – high-rise, sky-touching hotels, big fountains, sky high towers or impressive airports – that attracts the Muslims. It is the Haram and the Masjid al-Nabavi. It is the presence of these shrines over there that compels us to go soft and forgive the Saudis for their errors of judgement. Otherwise we do not consider them maasoom anil khataa or not liable to err. Except the Last Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) no one is masoom or beyond criticism.
EXTRAORDINARY GESTURE
In this backdrop, the extraordinary gesture of fraternal friendship with the military of Egypt shown by the Saudi monarch did not go well with Muslims in the world. Several Muslim Ulema hung their heads in shame. Protest demonstrations were organised in several big cities. India is one of them. The Muslim parties also registered their cavil through resolutions and handouts. Snide slogans were raised which are unpleasant to reproduce here.
The Saudi policy regarding the Muslim Brotherhood, Syria and Iran has hurt Muslim feelings. We simply fail to understand the logic, the rationale and the justification of giving a proverbial blank cheque to the usurpers of power from the Brotherhood, which had come to power through popular mandate. It had taken the reins of administration into its hands not after a bloody or bloodless revolution, ushered in by any crook. It was a government elected democratically for the first time after the despot called Gamal Abdel Nasser.
The first cheque to the tune of $12 billion is the point that has to be explained by His Majesty. UAE and Kuwait have also to explain through their Heads of State the reasons behind their donations. The cheque was handed over to the Egyptian army chief immediately, whose cadres have never demonstrated any worthwhile and notable feat.
The UAE, on 27 October, pledged Cairo an extra $3.9 billion in aid. The UAE Head previously deposited $2 billion in Egypt’s Central Bank without interest (may we dare ask, does UAE charge interest?). In July the Sheikhdom deposited $1 billion. Also note that the State is due to try 14 Egyptians and 16 Emiratis on the charges of setting up an illegal branch of Muslim Brotherhood. Also mark that defendants include doctors, engineers and university professors.
NOT ONE-TIME LARGESSE
This was not a one-time largesse. To quote Mr. Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi Foreign Minister, has vowed compensation to Egypt for any loss caused by EU or US money that Egypt receives annually.
We honestly fail to appreciate these scholarships given to the Egyptian army. Is it for the pleasure of Allah? And what has happened to the conscience of the Egyptians? Don’t they feel revolted rather nauseated while receiving this charity from their real enemy country?
What goes without saying is that the coup was conceived and implemented thoughtfully by the Saudi Minister for Intelligence, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, who is said to have worked tirelessly on this plot. The uncomfortable question we raise here is: Is conspiracy against Islam justifiable for Mr. Sultan or for that matter His Majesty, King Abdullah? This question is also directed towards Sheikh Jaber al-Sabah of Kuwait and Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE.
TOP COP CREDIBILITY
As an expression of gratitude the military coup leader, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said publicly: The Saudi intervention was unprecedented since the Yonkuppur of 1973 war with Israel.
Above all, King Abdullah, to whom the entire discredit for the decimation of a peaceful organisation goes, dwelt upon the subject in an eloquent manner: “Let the entire world know, he proclaimed, that the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stood and still stand today with our Brothers in Egypt against terrorism, extremism and sedition, and against whoever is trying to interfere in Egypt’s internal affairs.”
We ask: Does this not mean that the Islam coming to power through legitimate, moral, democratic Islamic means is not acceptable to the respected monarch?
OUR QUESTIONS
We submit: Which Islam suits to His Majesty? Subdued, subjected and spineless? His disagreement rather resentment against the Brotherhood is so deep and severe that he does not mind funding and arming Islam’s open enemies. His proactive speech has, we feel, sadly, raised several uncomfortable questions. Does he mean to say that Islam (or Brotherhood’s Islam) or the Islam which the world believes in, is equal to “terrorism”, “extremism” and “sedition”?
Maybe because of distance, we have not been able to educate ourselves with the un-Islamic, even dastardly activities of the Brotherhood. Let His Majesty or his spokesperson inform the world in bolder terms the crimes the Islamic party has indulged in. Have they been found doing subversive activities? Have they been caught plotting against the neighbours? Have they been arrested for frauds and smuggling? Have they been sent behind bars for cheating and money laundering? Levelling unsubstantiated charges does not behove a responsible Head of the State and particularly the Head of an Islamic State.
SAME TERMINOLOGY
Our critics in India use the same terminology against us, the Muslim fraternity. Denigrators of Islam in the western hemisphere use the same terminology against the upholders of Islam. Any stick is good enough to beat Islam and Muslims with everywhere. Now Your Majesty is unthinkably levelling the motivated charges against Muslims. To us, the Ikhwan stands for Islam. How can and how do you equate Islam with Taghoot or Falsehood.
The latest long list of denigrators of Islam is too long to be quoted. In the recent past, it begins with Salman Rushdie and Taslim Nasrin. In the middle are cartoons in Jyllands-Posten of Denmark, and some other European newspapers. In the early period of Islam some crooks who denigrated Islam happen to be Abu Jehl, Abu Lahb and Abdullah bin Ubai.
UNNAMING FACTOR
A cursory glance at the Middle East scenario reveals that the Arab Spring or emergence of Islam as a political power over there has unnerved several Heads of State. The reason is Islam and the Islamic worldview on power, natural resources as well as friends and foes. There is no hereditary system in Islam. Natural resources belong to the State and not to any individual. The system bans all kinds of usury and interest. Islam does not compromise on its various standpoints. For example: Total sovereignty belongs to Allah. And Islamic parliament runs through the tenets in accordance with the Qur’ān and the Sunnah as man is the vicegerent of God upon earth. You cannot cross the Rubicon. Otherwise you will burn your fingers.
What makes the Arab discomfort acute is their less-than-laudable view on “Arabism”. It cuts the jugular vein of Islam and creates numerable gulfs amidst the followers of the universal ideology. The concept of Ummah is absent from Middle East skyline. In their order of priorities the Muslim world solidarity happens to be nowhere. Till date they are not prepared to dismantle this wall of apartheid.
The Late Malik Faisal was a rare man of vision. He could and did see beyond his nose. Besides being fully conversant with Islam, the late monarch had been blessed with a mind that was visionary. He is still remembered for the use of oil as a weapon to cause dent in the spine of western thugs.
It looks as if the Arab womb has gone dry. Neither does it produce another Faisal nor another Salahuddin Ayyubi nor another Khalid Bin Waleed.
The Saudi monarch should never forget that the rarest of the rare honour has been bestowed upon him by Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa. No great honorific can be imagined bigger than Protector or Khadim of the Two Mosques in Makkah and Madinah. He would do well to fashion his domestic and foreign policy around the way shown by the Haramain.
DO NOT SHIRK RESPONSIBILITY
He cannot shun or shirk the responsibility of leadership that Allah expects from him through the Kalima he recites we do not know how many times in 24 hours. The word “Ilah” fully explains the political obligations that a Muslim has to discharge. Does “Ilah” not mean “sovereign”? You cannot just wish away here. Willingly or unwillingly, you have to accept the demand of being a slave of “Ilah”. That is, an obedient slave who considers Allah his sovereign individually and collectively. There is no need for fear because Allah is with you as long as you pursue His path.
As far as Saudi love for America is concerned, we need not write a long article thereon. Just see the plight of Hosni Mubarak who was like an American item girl on the throne of Egypt. Where is he today? Today America is with you. But what is the guarantee that Washington would be with you tomorrow also. And Allah can be banked upon for tomorrow and day after tomorrow.
As far as the threat from Iran is concerned, we in India feel, show the utmost possible courtesy to Iran. You cannot change geography. Through the alchemy of persuasion and sweet reasonableness you can discourage Tehran from taking any unsuitable stand against you. With a view to keeping the Saudi Shias satisfied, the Saudi monarch shall have to go an extra mile and advise his neighbours and even small Sheikhdoms to behave. Their dignity should never be trampled upon. As an elder brother, forgiving the younger brother is the necessity.
REDISCOVER YOURSELF
It is the honest feeling of Indian Muslim leadership that Saudi Arabia must rediscover itself. You have not been brought in this world just for nothing. You have been brought in this world with an aim, an objective and a plan. Seriously think about creating a peaceful, peaceable, mighty Islamic bloc that would be supposed to defend Muslims, Islam and their interests the world over.
Printing Qur’ān in the most beautiful form and its free distribution, establishing Islamic seminaries and building impressive mosques are, without any shred of doubt, laudable, remarkable and pious deeds. But they cannot be equated with solidifying the Ummah and by laying the foundation stone of an Islamic bloc, a dream that each and every Muslim sees in every nook and corner of the world.
This bloc would sooner or later change the power balance in the region rather world. It would restore respectability to world Muslims who have long been denied of it. This bloc, if it ever comes into existence, would flood the world with virtues and dry up the vices much before they strike roots on earth.