What are Muslim rulers doing? Has the honor of Muslim rulers vanished? What purpose do these 54 Muslim countries serve? These are questions that Muslim public opinion has increasingly raised during fiery crises since World War II. The issue goes beyond these questions, however. With the advent of the internet era, these questions have gained momentum as regular orders started surfacing. For instance, accusations that Muslim rulers are traitors, mere tools of the West, or excessively luxurious have become commonplace.
These questions and assertions persist today with unwavering frequency. They are even echoed by those who consider themselves responsible for guiding wisdom within Muslim societies. According to Muslim public opinion, over the last century, Muslim rulers collectively embody treason to such an extent that in each of the 54 countries, not just one or two, but all rulers were and are considered traitors. At various times, only a select few have been exempted from this condemnation. Among them are Jamal Abdul Nasser, Shah Faisal, Saddam Hussein, General Zia-ul-Haq, Imam Khomeini, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Notably, these figures hail from different eras, with only a few overlapping.
A significant aspect to note is that Muslim public opinion has only esteemed rulers who were perceived as “warriors.” They regard it as a matter of “national honor” to sacrifice their countries in wars. Remarkably, among the favored rulers, none have undertaken significant initiatives for the prosperity of their nations or advancements in science and technology. Despite this neglect by rulers, Muslim public opinion seems indifferent. Educational development is deemed unnecessary; instead, rulers are applauded for their willingness to devastate countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Libya.
Let us momentarily entertain the notion that rulers who avoid war are indeed traitors. Can anyone answer a simple question: When and where did Muslim rulers collectively decide to commit treason? If Muslim rulers are truly traitors, did they conspire en masse after October 1973? Until then, over a span of 25 years, Muslim rulers had waged three wars for the liberation of Palestine. These wars were so collectively endorsed that even the Pakistan Air Force participated in two of them.
The most significant crisis facing the Muslim Ummah is its decline and consequent weakness. Following the defeats in the three wars for Palestine during this period of vulnerability, a reaction was inevitable. This reaction materialized in the form of international interventions, toppling of Muslim governments, assassinations of rulers, imposition of sanctions, and the destruction of countries. Contrary to popular belief, the West’s antagonism towards figures like Saddam Hussein stemmed not solely from his invasion of Kuwait but from a broader strategy to undermine Arab unity and find pretext for attacking and dismantling Iraq. This was due to Iraq’s possession of weapons that posed a threat to Israel. Similar scenarios unfolded in other cases as well. All the troubles befalling Muslim countries are intricately linked to Israel. Since the three Arab-Israeli wars, the West has perceived the rise of Muslim countries as detrimental to Israel. Hence, since 1973, it has continuously subjected the Muslim world to internal crises.
In light of the circumstances post-1973, Muslim rulers have drawn certain conclusions. One notable realization is that they have repeatedly allowed the West to manipulate certain Muslim countries, preventing them from embarking on developmental journeys or addressing critical issues like Palestine and Kashmir. Reflecting on the last 40-50 years, the Muslim world has been preoccupied with the Afghan wars, the Iran-Iraq war, the two Gulf wars, the Arab Spring, and the subsequent destruction of Syria and Libya. Consequently, the Muslim world has remained internally divided, with the stigma of terrorism tarnishing its image. During this period, military organizations emerged in Sunni countries in the 1980s and later, serving as tools of the West.
Muslim public opinion is so myopic that it often overlooks pertinent news. For instance, Jack Salvan, the current National Security Adviser of the United States, admitted in 2011, “Al-Qaeda is now with us.” The redundancy of “now” in his statement is evident, as Al-Qaeda continues to operate in Syria and Africa to serve US interests. Al-Qaeda played a significant role in the destruction of Afghanistan and Iraq. Similarly, ISIS, widely regarded as an American creation, contributed to this destruction. Even former President Donald Trump acknowledged during his 2016 election campaign that ISIS was formed during Barack Obama’s presidency. He pledged to eradicate ISIS upon assuming office and subsequently claimed victory over it. American military analyst Scott Rutter recently stated, “Donald Trump didn’t have to do much to destroy ISIS. He simply cut off its funding from the United States and eliminated its leader.”
Considering this backdrop, Muslim rulers have resolved not to allow the West to continually undermine Muslim countries. The incessant focus on a single country for 10, 20, or even 30 years, without witnessing any substantial progress, is untenable. Since October 7, Muslim rulers have taken calculated steps to address these challenges. Although the entire Muslim bloc stands with Palestine, their efforts have gone largely unnoticed. Militarism, without the support of a country, is futile. For instance, the rockets manufactured by Palestinians cost $500 each when fired from an RPG7 launcher. These rockets are deployed in large numbers, raising questions about their funding source—whether public donations or state assistance. The war for Palestine extends beyond Gaza; it encompasses diplomatic fronts in major capitals, legal battles at the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, and a movement gaining traction in American academia.
For the first time in history, Muslims are confidently and satisfactorily confronting Israel, garnering support from millions worldwide, irrespective of religion. Although Western governments continue to label them “Muslim terrorists,” their own public opinion increasingly rejects this characterization.
Notably, American politicians have begun acknowledging on national news channels that there must be a force behind the anti-Israel movement in the United States. This echoes sentiments Muslims have expressed for the past 75 years. For the first time, America is also searching for this unseen hand.
Contrary to chaotic scenes, Muslim rulers have orchestrated timely interventions without disruption, significantly challenging Israel’s hegemony. For example, when Palestine’s case reached the International Court of Justice, South Africa emerged as a plaintiff. Imagine the implications had Saudi Arabia or Iran assumed this role. South Africa’s involvement underscored that the Palestinian issue transcends mere Muslim concerns; it is a universal humanitarian crisis requiring global intervention. Subsequently, Saudi Arabia and the Arab League discreetly joined the legal proceedings. Meanwhile, Turkey employed its trade leverage amid Israel’s failed attempts to encircle Iran. Egypt’s unexpected move to the International Court of Justice, despite its close ties with Israel, further unsettled American-Israeli interests.
Moreover, the United States has twice claimed that the Abraham Accords between Saudi Arabia and Israel are on the verge of collapse, only to be refuted by Saudi Arabia promptly. This indicates successful behind-the-scenes negotiations by Saudi Arabia, preventing premature declarations of friendship with Israel. Consequently, Israel and the US have gained nothing, while time continues to dwindle for President Joe Biden. Throughout these developments, the cause of Palestine and the Muslim world has not suffered. On the contrary, new successes are realized daily, while Israel and America grapple with political and moral dilemmas.
In this entire situation, there has not been a single setback for the cause of Palestine or the Muslim world. It appears that we are gaining new successes each day, while Israel and America continue to grapple with political and moral challenges. We are fortunate that there is no “zealous ruler” at this critical moment in history. Otherwise, the conflict could have escalated from Gaza to their respective countries, risking the loss of momentum for the Palestinian cause once again.
