Muslim world is in a “state ofcrisis”, as pointed out by Mahathir, in the recent Malasyian summit. Frommilitary and political chaos in African Muslim countries like Libya to bloodywars of Iraq, Yemen and Syria in Arab world to decades of unending destructionof Afghanistan and genocide of Rohingaya community in Asia. Muslim world isplunging into more darkness with each passing day. African countries arereeling under massive poverty despite having abundant resources which are beingcontinuously exploited by European countries. And more misery is sure to comeif things are not changed.
The Summit
Recent meet in Malaysia was an outcome ofthe growing frustration amongst Muslim countries which are desperately seekinga life of dignity and peace. This meet was taken as an attempt to create a newleadership parallel to the existing leadership in Muslim world. Some of theprogressive and militarily more powerful Muslim countries under visionaryleadership could sense an extinction of Muslim world if some strong and harddecisions were not taken immediately. Pakistan and Turkey were seen as the mainplayers of this new parallel OIC meet with the support of Iran, Qatar and hostcountry Malaysia. Iran is considered diplomatically, strategically andmilitarily powerful amongst Muslim world where as Qatar is a very resource richcountry. Most of the Arab nations saw this summit as an attempt to sidelinethem and a try at starting a new leadership in OIC. Most of the rich Arabstates refused to participate and stopped some other members from being part ofit by using financial threat.
Possible Challenges
Conflict in Idlib is one of the many issueswhich can create hurdles and suspicion in the new alliance. This particularconflict has brought Erdogan and Assad in a face to face battle. Assad isbacked by Russia and powerful Shia militia on ground supported by Iran. Nowthis is the time for Iran and Turkey to raise above and beyond such issues fora much larger cause. It is a known proverb that a neglected spark can burns ahouse. The new coalition which these members of OIC are trying to form can geta early dent if this conflict goes out of control. America and its allies willbe more than willing to back Turkey in this conflict. Battle for Idlib has thecapability to become the worst one in this region. During the Syrian turmoilwhich broke out in 2011 many Sunni Muslims, nearly 3.5 million, took refuge inTurkey. Turkey has a strong presence in the Idlib region of Syria where itintends to rehabilitate all the refugees it is currently hosting with somespecial provisions it demands from the Assad regime. Turkey has made it clearit has no intention of invasion and wants the Sochi agreement to be respectedwhich addresses various angels of this issue. All the sides should rationalizeand see the issue from a mature view. As the saying goes nip the evil in thebud.
Today if Russia has gained back its respectin world the credit would go majorly to its role in Syria other than annexationof Crimea. And Russia could not do what it achieved in Syria without Iranianhelp on ground. So if Turkey and Iran collaborate it will not only set anexample for the rest of the Muslim world but can give them a negotiation powereven with Russia. As Russia economy is not anywhere close to Americanhenceforth cannot afford a long term engaging conflict.
Last week Trump administration gave a statement that Iranian government should bethankful to Pakistani administration and specially to Imran Khan for timelyintervention in support of Iran after Qassim Solemeini’s killing. Pakistan andTurkey share a very special relationship. They have even announced theirintentions of dual citizenship which can take care of the foreign remittancesPakistan receives from middle eastern Arab countries through its work forcewhich is based in this region. So Iran needs not to be apprehensive and suspiciousof its brother countries.
Another issue which is worrisome for Iranis Pakistan’s support to Taliban in Afghanistan. Pakistan should also explainto Iran about how it plans to support Taliban while keeping Iran’s security andwell being in consideration.