By Dr. Basheer Ahmed
Introduction: The Crisis of Muslim Fragmentation
Muslim countries today face numerous challenges, but their most pressing issue is a persistent lack of unity. Without solidarity and collective strength, they remain vulnerable to exploitation, unable to assert independence or protect their interests. Disunity ensures continued reliance on Western powers, particularly former colonial empires.
British Lord Curzon’s reported remarks following the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1924 captured this calculated strategy:
“We must ensure that Muslims will never arise again in unity, whether it be intellectual or cultural unity.”
This statement underscores an enduring policy of division, designed to prevent any resurgence of Muslim intellectual, cultural, or political influence.
Historical Context: From Golden Age to Subjugation
The Legacy of the Ottoman Empire
The dissolution of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1924 marked the end of centralized Islamic governance. In its wake, European colonial powers carved the Muslim world into semi-sovereign states governed by puppet regimes loyal to their Western patrons.
Post-War Realignments
After World War II, the United States emerged as the dominant power, inheriting colonial influence in the Middle East from the British. With numerous military bases, especially in the Gulf, the U.S. continues to safeguard regimes that align with its strategic interests.
Intellectual Decline and Colonial Conquest
Between the 7th and 15th centuries, Muslim civilizations led the world in science, philosophy, and governance. However, intellectual stagnation and military rigidity in later centuries made Muslim regions susceptible to conquest. As European nations advanced, Muslim societies failed to innovate, leaving them defenseless and fragmented.
The Strategic Role of Israel
Israel’s Geopolitical Utility
The establishment of Israel in 1947 was not solely humanitarian. It served as a Western outpost in a resource-rich but politically divided region. Equipped with nuclear weapons and advanced technology, Israel monitors and checks neighboring Muslim countries.
Fragmentation as a Foreign Policy
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly supported a fragmented Middle East in his 2002 Concordia University speech. Smaller, divided Muslim states serve both Israeli and U.S. interests, minimizing the risk of a united Islamic bloc.
Western Powers: Influence Through Coercion
Economic and Military Dependency
Western nations use military aid, economic loans, and political alliances to maintain influence. Countries that defy Western policies—like Iraq, Libya, Syria, or Afghanistan—often face crippling sanctions, invasions, or regime change operations.
Case Study: Iraq and the War on False Grounds
The 2003 invasion of Iraq, based on fabricated claims of weapons of mass destruction, epitomizes Western interventionism. Spearheaded by U.S. President George W. Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, this war destabilized an entire region and led to immense human suffering.
Powerful Quotes That Reveal Western Intent
Statements from global leaders highlight how deeply entrenched these strategies are:
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz:
“Israel is doing our dirty work.”
This rationale justifies military support and the outsourcing of conflict management.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer:
“Autocratic rulers in the Muslim world orbit around Western interests.”
Many Muslim governments prioritize foreign relations over national and religious obligations.
Internal Complicity: Autocrats and Intellectual Deficits
Gulf Regimes and the Betrayal of Sovereignty
Autocratic leaders in the Gulf seek Western protection to maintain power. Dissent is harshly suppressed—journalists like Jamal Khashoggi pay with their lives. Even peaceful protests against Israeli aggression are banned to preserve the status quo.
Educational Neglect and Brain Drain
Despite vast resources, Gulf nations have failed to build globally respected universities. Instead, they fund Western economies and depend on foreign education. Most Muslim Nobel laureates in science made their breakthroughs in non-Muslim countries, exposing the systemic failure of local institutions.
Aid, Debt, and Strategic Compliance
Egypt: A Case of Economic Subordination
From 1978 to 2022, Egypt received over $80 billion in U.S. aid. In return, it aligned its foreign policy with American interests and distanced itself from challenging Israel. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has overseen Egypt’s national debt rising from $40 billion in 2014 to over $160 billion in 2022, deepening its dependency.
Iran: A Rare Resister
Defiance and Consequences
Iran remains one of the few Muslim nations challenging Western domination. As a result, it faces constant sanctions, cyberattacks, and military threats. Israeli and American leaders have often boasted of these aggressions, displaying indifference toward diplomacy and international law.
Reclaiming the Legacy: A Path Forward
The Golden Era of Islam
From algebra and astronomy to medicine and governance, early Muslim civilizations contributed enormously to global progress. Their success was grounded in justice, wisdom, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
Revival Requires More than Rituals
Today, Islam is often reduced to rituals, ignoring its broader mandates for justice, governance, and intellectual inquiry. Sectarianism and populism have fragmented the ummah. When Muslims label each other infidels over doctrinal differences, they weaken themselves.
The Quran reminds us:
“Verily, never will God change the condition of a people until they change it themselves.” (Quran 13:11)
The decline stems not from lack of prayer but from abandoning ijtihad (independent reasoning) and jihad (struggle for knowledge and justice).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is there a lack of unity among Muslim countries?
Disunity stems from colonial legacies, geopolitical manipulation, authoritarian governance, and a lack of investment in education and innovation.
2. What role does Israel play in Middle Eastern politics?
Israel acts as a strategic Western ally, equipped with advanced military power to monitor and neutralize potential threats from neighboring Muslim countries.
3. How do Western countries maintain influence in the Muslim world?
Through economic aid, military alliances, sanctions, and political coercion, Western powers control the direction of many Muslim governments.
4. Why haven’t Muslim countries developed strong educational institutions?
Despite financial resources, many prioritize foreign investments and elite lifestyles over building domestic intellectual infrastructure.
5. How has Iran resisted Western influence?
Iran has refused to align with Western interests, resulting in sanctions, sabotage, and international isolation.
6. What can unite the Muslim world again?
Unity can only be achieved through intellectual revival, technological advancement, and leadership that prioritizes justice and independence over foreign dependency.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The ummah that once lit up the world now struggles in darkness. But revival is possible—not through nostalgia or passive prayer—but through deliberate, intellectual, and united action. Muslims must reclaim their dignity by investing in education, promoting justice, and restoring unity.
Let us rise—not by remembering the past, but by building a future rooted in truth, knowledge, and collective strength.
🔗 External Resource:
OIC – Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – Learn how Muslim nations can collaborate more effectively on international issues.