As the Muslim world is brimming with outrage and anger over the US president Donlad J Trump’s controversial decision to declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Arab League, formally the League of Arab States, while voicing its resentment over the contentious decision termed it “a dangerous development that places the United States at a position of bias in favor of the occupation and the violation of international law and resolutions.”An emergency meeting of league foreign ministers in Cairo on Sunday went on to say that Trump’s decision also strips the U.S. of its role as a “sponsor and broker” in the Mideast peace process. Trump’s Jerusalem decision, the Arab League said “undermines efforts to bring about peace, deepens tension and will spark anger that will threaten to push the region to the edge of the abyss of violence, chaos and bloodshed.” The ministers also called on the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution condemning Trump’s decision.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki, speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting in Cairo, said Palestinians can no longer accept the US as a broker in the peace process because it has now “positioned itself as a party in a dispute and not as a mediator”. Calling for a UN Security Council action against Trump’s decision, al-Maliki added, “America is being an aggressor against the Palestinian people and against international law.”
On the other hand pro-Palestine and anti-US rallies continue to rock the Muslim majority states. Muslims took to the streets in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Somalia demanding revocation of the decision.
Given the crucial nature of the issue the outpouring of anger on the streets is natural phenomena and indeed a democratic way to mount pressure on the US administration however there is a dire need that the Muslim countries should use their political and economic clout effectively to achieve its desired goals. So far the Muslim countries have badly failed in meeting the challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah. In Afghanistan, Iraq and Libyan invasion the Muslim states despite having enormous economic potential failed in seeking a peaceful settlement of the conflicts that consumed thousands of lives. The disarray and lack of unity on key issues is the biggest shortfall of the OIC, which prevented it from formulating and conducting a comprehensive policy for the redressal of Muslim grievances that are largely seen as the main cause of surging violence. The OIC, which was supposed to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world, has not been able to translate its vision into reality. The ineptness, incompetence, lack of will and collectivism at the top level has unfortunately been the hallmark of the organization called OIC. Despite its size, economic volume and massive energy resources, the organization failed to capitalize on its strengths. Arab league on the other hand presents a sorry spectacle—- an association of fragmented voices.
Convening of emergency meetings, issuing empty statements and adopting resolutions is all that these organizations have been so lovingly and loftily doing over the past several years. But this kind of approach won’t really change the fate of people they represent. Instead of burying their heads in the sand it is time for the OIC and members of Arab League to wake up, stand to their ground, realize their strengths, speak with one voice and assert their positions. Collectivism and oneness, however, remains the key to meet the challenges faced by the Muslim world. People, all across the Muslim world, have by and large expressed their strong resentment and anguish over the Trump’s decision, how the Muslim leadership and governments of the respective Muslim nations respond to Trump’s idiosyncrasy is yet to be seen. The result will be different provided they speak and act in unison otherwise the usual lame duck attitude of Muslim leaders is doomed to repeat the past history.
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