Unity in Islamic World (12)

In the Name of God, today we study the viewpoint of the Founder of Islamic Republic of Iran, late Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace) on some of the approaches needed for materialization of Islamic unity.

Last week, we studied the views of late Imam on the status of Islamic unity, noting that he presented the practical approaches for materialization of Islamic unity within two phases of cultural and ideological strategy, and political strategy. Given late Imam’s profound understanding of the Islamic countries’ and governments’ problems, he prioritized the reformation of the religious and political beliefs of Muslims, and called for their emphasis on true Islam in order to unify the Islamic Ummah. It was also mentioned that late Imam named Americanized Islam as an obstacle against the unity of Islamic Ummah and firmly stood up against Americanized Islam.

In the view of late Imam, a fundamental change in Islamic communities, and liberation of Muslims from divergence, is not feasible without a major and in-depth ideological plan. This is because the status quo of the World of Islam is caused by several conditions and factors such as the cultural and ideological downward spiral of Muslims, and the domination of colonial powers over the Islamic countries. These colonialists have always aimed for deterioration of the cultural identity of Islamic Ummahs and pillage of the resources of Islamic nations. Thus, liberation from the status quo and attainment of an ideal state is tied to eradication of the root causes of Muslims’ cultural and ideological downward spiral. This in turn calls for mobilization of all of the means of Islamic nations and governments under the framework of a specific and all-encompassing strategy. Therefore, the Islamic countries, which maintain common historical, cultural, and ideological backgrounds should prioritize a return to their historical and cultural origins, and should appropriately analyze parameters of religious and national identity. In the view of late Imam, the ideological and cultural movement, which eventually shapes common beliefs of the community, should be shouldered by religious elites and intellectuals.

Late Imam believed that rifts in the Islamic world are the consequences of the widening gap of Islamic governments and nations from the divine Islamic teachings and reliance of Muslims upon the West and East arrogant powers. He firmly believed that the only option for liberation of Muslims from the yoke of these problems is the reconsideration of the three key concepts of Islam, freedom, and independence; because he opined that the reconsideration of these concepts raises an opportunity for Muslims to re-embrace their forgotten Islamic identity. Thus, late Imam called on seminaries, especially religious Ulema and elites to enter the scene in order to revive Islamic teachings. Late Imam noted that implementation of Islamic teachings is tied to establishment of an Islamic ruling system; and the only remedy for the concerns of Islamic communities is revitalization of true Islam.  In fact, true Islam unifies Muslims, irrespective of their race, language, and ethnicity. In view of late Imam, true Islam is a collection of comprehensive and rich theoretical and practical views, which are coupled with precise and multilateral plans for the life of mankind. Late Imam believed that true Islam maintains the needed capacity and power to revive Islamic unity and re-establish the grandeur of the World of Islam.

Freedom is a key concept in materialization of Islamic unity, in the view of late Imam; given that Islamic governments shape the main pillar of the Islamic world, and play a pivotal role in formation and advancement of Islamic countries’ goals and plans. In re-establishment of the previous solidarity and grandeur of Muslims; establishment of popular governments which symbolize freedom, plays a decisive role. On the contrary, existence of suppressive regimes in Islamic countries hinders unification movements which serve the interests of the Islamic world. Hence, liberation from the yoke of oppressive regimes is one of the major pillars in the ideological standpoint of late Imam in regard to unification of Muslims.

Independence is the third pivotal concept in materialization of Islamic unity in view of late Imam. Independence is a reminder of awareness and vigilance, and liberation of Islamic Ummahs from the yoke of Western and Eastern powers.

In the view of Late Imam; Muslim nations, in their first step toward independence, should return to their true origins in the light of Islamic and national values, and thereafter take steps for decolonization of Islamic lands. Late Imam opined that the main dependence of downtrodden nations toward arrogant powers is their ideological dependence; which causes the other dependencies of these nations to hegemonic powers. So, nations should firstly achieve ideological independence as a cornerstone to accomplishment of other aspects of independence.

Late Imam considered further promotion of Islam by religious and national Ulema, intellectuals, and leaders as one of the practical approaches for unification of Muslims. Late Imam believed that elites should use all of the existing means for the ideological growth of people, and development and reinforcement of social relations within the Islamic Ummah.

Late Imam proposed the commemoration of Unity Week and the International Quds Day as the two symbols of unity of Islamic world, conveying a revolutionary and anti-arrogance message.

Establishment of a party in the global arena comprised of Muslim nations and Islamic countries was one of Imam’s strategies for unification of Muslims. In late Imam’s view, the goal behind establishment of this party is to reinforce collective beliefs in the Islamic Ummah, and to study and find a solution to the problems of the World of Islam.

Late Imam pointed out that he hoped a party for the downtrodden people in the world would be formed, with all of the downtrodden people participating in this party to dispel their problems, and to stage an uprising against the arrogant powers of East and West, while no longer allowing arrogant powers to impose injustices against the oppressed, across the globe.

Next week, we will study the views of the Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, on Islamic unity.

MR/EA