It was a great encouragement to see representatives from
entire Muslim world together deliberating on the forum of Islamic Military
Counter Terrorism Coalition’s (IMCTC) Ministers of Defence Council to counter
terrorism. HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led the meeting. All the
participants agreed on formulating a strategy to deal with the menace of
terrorism. The steps agreed upon by the participants to combat terrorism
include: addressing it through education and knowledge, working together to
bring out the correct Islamic concepts, and taking measures to bridge the gaps
between the Muslim world and global community to ensure collective security and
prosperity.
The forum understanding the importance of media decided to
use this as supporting hand to eliminate terrorism by initiating useful
communication and dialogue. They affirmed to work with the media by investing
in digital media platforms to counter terrorist propaganda. It surely will help
in destroying the foundations of terrorism and reducing its influence and
appeal to young minds.
Moreover, it was also agreed upon by the participants that
combating terrorism would only succeed if steps taken also include efforts to
curtail terrorist financing by draining the sources of terrorist funding
through a proper and efficient exchange of intelligence. The last but not the
least action is to combat terrorism through military: by strengthening the
military forces of the participant countries by enhancing their capabilities to
ensure that terrorist organizations are weakened, dismantled, and eliminated.
The working mechanism has been announced, but a working plan
has yet to be designed to implement this much needed and long-awaited
initiative. The President of IMCT will ensure to follow up the strategies that
will be required for adequate joint operation. The ministers decided to secure
a Centre Headquarters for IMCTC in Riyadh, as it will meet the Coalition’s
needs.
Indeed, this is an excellent initiative considering its goals
in mind. But I feel that there is a lot to be done, as there is no defined
roadmap that explains working of this joint force to discharge its duties. Nor
is there any word said regarding the bylaws that will run it. Also, there is
silence on the nature of legal charter that will allow other countries’ armed
forces to operate on the ground and with what legal authority.
There are questions that need clear answers to avoid any sort
of misunderstandings. For instance; will this force act like NATO forces or
need some new military operational strategy/procedures? Why should Saudi Arabia
take the economic burden to maintain this force? It should be a collective
responsibility to share the expenditures by whole Muslim Ummah to give the feel
of joint efforts of the entire Muslim community.
Nevertheless, I feel, perhaps, it should be named Islamic
Peace Army (IPA). It can be placed under OIC with its headquarters in Riyadh.
It will be possible only if Prince Mohammed bin Salman takes yet another step
and get all the remaining Muslim countries in this newly proposed IAP
counter-terrorist force. The world is witnessing with great interest that
Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, like this initiative, has introduced many
unprecedented reforms in his country including recent economic changes and
acting against the powerful corrupt elite in the Kingdom.
Furthermore, Prince Mohammad Bin Salman is the driving force
behind ‘Vision 2030’: the kingdom’s long-term economic plan to wean itself off
dependence on oil. Prince Muhammad is also known for reforming his country’s
ineffective bureaucracy.
Moreover, he has successfully lobbied for regulations
restricting the powers of the religious police. It is great to see an
entertainment authority in Saudi Arabia that has hosted comedy shows, wrestling
events, and monster truck rallies. The removal of the ban on female drivers in
September 2017 is a step in the right directions. He has also chipped away with
Saudi Arabia’s Wali system. These all reforms look great, and we hope his
vision also becomes the guiding light for the rest of the Muslim world.
The assembly of all the head of Muslim counties in Saudi
Arabia, May 2017 duly addressed by President Donald Trump had provided the
Muslim countries yet another opportunity to interact and to come up with a
comprehensive strategy to eradicate the sufferings of Muslim Ummah. This kind
of interaction with western leaders should continue to clear misconceptions
about Islam.
Let me highlight here that Arab spring brought number of
adverse changes in Middle East and many Muslim countries suffered and its bad
effects will continue for a long time. The present effort by Saudi Arabia will
help in normalising the situation in these countries.
I also feel that the recent reforms introduced in Saudi
Arabia will have a positive impact on the Middle East as it will bring a modern
approach to governance as well as social and political structures of Arab
states. The wave of modernisation will also prove helpful in deradicalising the
youth. I hope that the newly formed force does not remain restricted to the
Middle East but also play a constructive role in Afghanistan. Crown Prince
Muhammad’s personal attention and initiatives for peace will benefit the
war-torn country.
The biggest challenge for this newly formed Islamic Alliance
is to defeat Daesh, which is likely to become a more lethal terrorist
organization. Halting its growth should be the priority of this new coalition.
Pakistan will be more than happy with its anti-terrorism
experience to work for peace in this region in close collaboration with
energetic Mohammed Bin Salman. Let us hope this new force plays its role in
peacekeeping in Afghanistan and other Muslim countries that are prone to the
attacks of extremist and terrorist organisations.
These joint efforts of the Muslim world will help in reducing
Islamophobia that rules supreme in the West because of toxic propaganda against
Islam. Let us wish and pray for the success of this great initiative by Saudi
Arabia and hope it will have a positive outcome for Saudi Arabia and other
Muslim countries.
The Article has been published by Daily “The Nation” dated
December 03, 2017, link to the original article is: http://nation.com.pk/03-Dec-2017/muslim-ummah-counter-terrorism-force
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