IUMS message to the Doha Arab Summit calls for real unity, solidarity, progress
All praise be to Allah and peace and blessings be upon God’s messenger, his family, companions and those who follow him to the day of judgment;
The council for the League of Arab Nations holds its 24th summit in Doha while the Arab nation suffers a number of crises and problems that hinder its rise and progress starting from the tardiness and fragmentation, poverty and unemployment, to the debility of its performance concerning some nations clawing their way toward freedom and dignity like Syria and others.
The summit is also held amid the complete absence of a role for Arab countries in the development and stability of some Arab Spring countries, or political, economic, and social support for them. The stability of these countries means stability for all Arab countries, and their development and progress contributes to the development and progress of the Arab and even Muslim world.
In accordance with their role in providing assistance and counsel to Arab leaders, out of their religious obligation toward their nation, and on the occasion of this summit, the International Union of Muslim Scholars states the following:
First: At the level of Arab Cooperation, the union calls all Arab leaders to work toward activating and developing joint Arab work, and enhancing its performance in a way that achieves benefit for everyone. This is the responsibility of leaders, whom Allah has placed as questionable before Him and before their nation, and who are to be asked about it on the Day of Judgment as the Prophet – peace and blessings be upon him – said: "All of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for his flock. A leader is a shepherd and is responsible for those in his care....” (narrated in the authority of Bukhari and Muslim).
Second: At the Internal Level, the union calls the leaders of Arab countries to respond to the aspirations of peoples that yearn to live with dignity, breath freedom under the rights and freedoms guaranteed by revealed religions and international covenants, and to work toward achieving comprehensive development and social justice so these nations will enjoy a dignified living where justice and good prevail.
Third: At the Level of Arab National Causes, the union appeals to Arab leaders to exert all efforts to stand by their fellow Arabs in some countries that have witnessed a political transformation by providing economic and political aid to them so they will enjoy security and stability and take steps forward toward progress and prospering. The union also appeals to them to make serious efforts to lay down a roadmap to solve the crises in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Palestine and other; and to support the reconciliation projects in Sudan that are brokered by the appreciated efforts of the state of Qatar.
Fourth: At the Level of the Palestinian Cause and Palestine, the union demands these leaders to make all precious sacrifices to serve our prime cause until all of Palestine is freed, demands them to stand by the Palestinian people in the West Bank, Gaza and others, to truly support them financially and morally, to work on lifting the siege off Palestine entirely, particularly the dignified Gaza, and work on alleviating the suffering of its people.
Fifth: At the Level of Our Muslim Nation, the union demands the leaders to activate their role in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in order to reach complementarity, solidarity, and unity for the sake of our joint causes, as Allah Almighty said: {And verily this nation of yours is a one nation, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore Fear Me (and no other).} [Quran 23:52].
Sixth: At the level of oppressed Muslims, the union demands Arab leaders to stand by them in Myanmar where Muslims suffer the worst and are treated with such cruelty that threatens their existence and presence, demands them to stand by the oppressed in Bangladesh and other countries, and to call for the release of political prisoners.
In general, we hope this summit will be the launching point for a major review, comprehensive revival, responsible and all-gathering unity, the formation of unity institutions of a military shield for the nation, courts to protect it, a joint market for their financial resources and complementarity through its human resources. And we at the union echo what the reforming prophet Shu`ayb said – peace be upon him: {I only desire (your) betterment to the best of my power;} [Quran 11:88].
{And say: "Work (righteousness): Soon will Allah observe your work, and His Messenger, and the Believers: Soon will you be brought back to the knower of what is hidden and what is open: then will He show you the truth of all that you did."} [Quran 9:105]
Doha: 12 Jumada Al-Awwal 1434 H
Dated: 24 March 2013
Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
IUMS Secretary General IUMS President