Ways to Raise the Islamic Empire

Islamic countries are now more westernised than ever before. In order to be an Empire of the one Islamic Faith, Muslim nations (where Muslims have the full power to implement the laws of ALLAH swt) need to purge (get rid from within ourselves) the western elements in our Muslim life. Islam is not just about culture, nationals, politics. Islam is a whole way of life that encompass government (which may not necessarily mean politics), economic, education, military (which does not mean aggression, but the right to protect the Islamic nations from undue western or non-Islamic influences), and many, socio-economic development, technological advancements, and much, much, more - the spiritual advancement in the name of ALLAH. Islam also transends all boundaries that these elements (stated above) create.

In other words, to bring back the past glory of Islam, and make it ever more relevant in today's world, Muslim nations need to be confident to do away with (to rid ourselves of) this scourge of the Earth - the culture, the economics, the politicisation of governings, etc., etc. that of the WEST. It has been proven time and again that all doctrines of the west have been ultimate failures. The Western global economy has failed miserably once in the early 20th Century, and its repeating itself now with greater failures across all industries, and even greater destruction to humans and the environment. Through the prevalent use of riba' in finance/economics, the West propagates and support the principles of "the rich should get richer - and the poor perpetually should serve the rich". That is why Muslim nations will forever be poor, even though they have "oil" underneath their feet. Just imagine those Muslim nations with no natural resources - how deep into slavery they have become to the western world. We have seen the destruction of moral values and ethics that Westerners propagate through their socio-economic "developments" and their so-called moral "advancements" - their moral degradation is so prevalent in their western societies that they can't distinguish what is right or wrong, or what is good or bad for humanity. Western family institution is in shambles - no westerners believe in the sanctity of marriage and family life, or in community advancements - and to them family/marriage is to just serve their "uncontrolled desires and lusts".

Muslim governments need to really assess how they govern their countries, and develop their economy such that they are not influenced by western powers. Maybe think about these strategies for once;

1) Gold transaction

Muslim nations need to establish an Islamic economy with the use of Gold as "money" in transacting goods and services. This can be a first steps to eliminating riba' from our economic systems. I just can't emphasize enough about the VERY STRONG PROHIBITION OF RIBA' by ALLAH swt, that which many Muslim nations take for granted. Islamic Banks must be established throughout all Muslim lands, implementing the Syariah, in all its operations for both banking and investments. Because economic transaction affects each and every Muslim individual, young and old, poor and rich. Establishment of a RIBA'-FREE Islamic Economy is SO IMPORTANT and has to be done fast and NOW, so that, the Western banks do not have a foothold in any industry of any Islamic nation. This is the only way to get rid of control of Western companies over companies or economies in Islamic nations. Working together (just like the OIC), companies & banks in Islamic nations have enough funds to operate without incurring debts from Western banks. In fact, its proven time and again than western debts (with its riba' components) are far more expensive than Islamic banks' instruments.

2) Islamic Economy

Industries within our Muslim nations must look inwards towards other Muslim nations. There are over 50 strong Muslim nations that have enough markets to sell/buy all products/services of any Islamic nation. We are more than 1.5 billion strong. If the poor cannot afford the prices, lower the prices so that volume alone can offset any high costs of operations across the vast Islamic countries. In this way, the population of Muslim nations can get the necessary resources (funds, products, services) to advance itself in economy, technology & knowledge advancements, etc.. If the markets in Muslim nations are not enough to go by (which I'm very doubtful - only the greedy RICH will think its still not enough), then look at the non-western, non-Islamic countries like those in Africa, former republics of the Soviets, central/south Americas, etc. - But only look at these after you've considered all Muslim nations first.

To get the above going, richer Muslim nations must first support the other not-so-rich Muslim nations, in all aspects of the economy - so that the markets in all Muslim nations can grow together, and thus nurture and support a BIGGER and STRONGER base for industries to flourish across all Muslim lands - thus, sealing off any entries from the WEST. In this instance, Muslim nations must let go of their egos, nationalistic tendencies, and selfish behaviors in trying to protect their domestic needs/economy. The West has been successful in dividing Muslim nations into many separate lands and identities, with new borders established with the only purpose of making Muslim nations as weak as ever throughout time. Muslims should wake up to this fact. While we can still let these borders remain (as Muslims gesture of courtesy and respect for each other), we should not create and strengthen borders that separate our Islamic economies, markets, societies, population, technologies and knowledge. All these must be shared thoroughly and with speed. Muslims must be free to participate and get benefits from these elements that are offered by all Muslim nations.

By doing so, maybe a lot of changes or modifications need to be made to national constitutions and laws of the Muslim lands - because basically, these are colonial laws established by colonialist countries of the past, that are the West. Most of these laws and jurisprudence are against the very basic Islamic principles of the Syariah and Fikh laws.

3) Islamic alternatives to Entertainment and Sports

There must be an Islamic alternatives for the population to engage in sporting and entertainment activities - because half the population of any Islamic nation will have a strong tendencies towards these two activities - that are amongst the YOUNG and the POOR. In these the mosques/etc and the communities must play strong roles in ensuring the Islamic elements are forever present in these activities. Governments must be serious in implementing Syariah/Islamic laws in Muslim nations. Entertainments and sports must be monitored rigorously such that it does not contain western elements that result in moral degradation and faith-challenging issues amongst Muslims, abuse of the rights of a Muslim which are divinely decreed by ALLAH swt, when participating in those entertainment or sporting acts. Cable TV and the internet are great cause of concerns. While knowledge can be extracted through these media/means, the majority bulk of the information that goes through these channels are against the principles of Islam. Maybe Muslim nations as a group, need to think up of a new "Islamic World Wide Web"- an IWWW instead of the "WWW". For entertainment, 50 Muslim countries offering 50 Islamic channels each can give a single Muslim a lot to choose from - don't you think? The same goes for sporting events.

4) Research, Development, Advancement, and Sharing of Knowledge

There must be a cohesive joint-efforts between ALL MUSLIM NATIONS to collaborate in the knowledge discoveries, advancement and sharing in all fields of Islamic and selected Western knowledge, like, on Islam, science and technologies, history, society, economy, etc. etc. Education must be a prime strategy and focus of governments, making education very affordable and easily accessible to all walks of life from infanthood to college years, through to working life, and continuing on to later adult life.

5) Establishment of a strong military force for defensive purposes

This Islamic force is at two levels - at the national level of each Islamic country, and at the international level - an OIC Islamic force. The reason is simple. So that Islamic nations can freely institute Islamic laws on their own nations without fear of any reprisals from non-Islamic countries, especially the WEST, be it in the form of economic sanctions or military aggressions. Islamic nations must be strong enough (individually or as a group) to counter any attacks on any Islamic Land in terms of the economy, military, or socio-economic developments, etc.


These are only a few steps I can think of. I'm pretty sure our more than 1.5 billion Muslim brothers and sisters around the world can think and have thought of a whole lot more before. Once Muslim nations have their own unique economy that does not include any western element or influence, once we have the populations of Islamic nations imbued with all the knowledge of this modern world and of the glorious past Islamic history, once we can stand on our own defending our own unique Islamic territories, lands and ways of life, and once we can do all these TOGETHER (and never alone) as Muslims of the World - THEN only can we be a strong Empire of the Islamic Faith. Insya-ALLAH.

South-East Asia - The Next Hot-Spot

US ship in China spat was hunting subs:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090310/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_china_incident

Sea levels rising faster than expected:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLA435701

After reading these two articles, I can’t help but feel a bit uneasy at the prospects of military showdowns and environmental catastrophe, both happening at the same time and being so close at home. There is a high chance that these events can happen within our lifetime, here at home.

While the first article hints on the possibility of future military confrontations between two superpowers, China and the US, at our very own backyard, the second but more discerning is the inevitable effects of global warming on our own little region of South-East Asia, and that is the rising sea-levels, which would ultimately destroy centers of population, inundating them with at least, meter-high floodwaters. If these two human and natural events were to happen simultaneously, there won’t be ground to stand on, nor food to eat. Life, as we know today (and the good side of it, as we so often take for granted) will cease to exist. Don’t worry about industries and economies - there won’t be land here to build these on.

Territorial Claims

Unknowing to most of us, both the US and China (plus the nations that surround this region) have actively participated in surveillance and counter-surveillance of the territorial waters of the South China Sea, the Gulf of Tonkin, the Malacca Straits, Taiwan Straits, Sulu Sea and the Java Sea. In particular, the South China Sea is rich in natural resources such oil and natural gas. Furthermore, the 250 islands and reefs (mostly, just 1 km-square) that pop up here and there in the South China Sea alone can be used as staging areas in any military conflict. About 75% of these islands form the much-disputed Spratly Islands, spread over 800km by 900km area. This “strategic” Island group is also a subject of several competing claims of sovereignty by at least six nations, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines (nine nations in all, if you consider Brunei, Singapore and Thailand, all of whom have made such claims sometime before). And it wouldn’t be far off if Australia too would make a claim, one day.

So, why is everyone so interested in the region? For a long time, they have been interested but never really publicized their interests, intentions, or activities in this area. Only when the nations in this region have become stronger, both economically and militarily, that they are now bolder than ever before to publicly stake a claim in these territorial waters. Besides, these waters are “under international law, a 200-mile economic zone under the control of a state, which ultimately, gives a state certain rights over the use of natural resources within these zones”. So, anyone near enough these bodies of waters (within the 200-mile limit) have a right to claim as their sovereign territory. It’s ludicrous to think that the Aussies would want to stake a claim to these waters – they’re definitely more than 200 miles away!

So now, the question that comes to mind is, why the heck, is the US concerned about this South China Sea, that they are putting substantial resources to monitor the activities here (militarily), and at the same time, undermining the sovereign claims of these rightful South Asian nations (by going against international laws that govern these waters). Well, as stated in the article, this international law goes against the very principles of “America's doctrine of ocean navigation — the right to unrestricted passage in international waters as long as vessels are not encroaching on the economic interests of the country they pass.” In other words, what the US is saying is that, “you can pretty much define what you mean as your territory (200-mile, or 2,000-mile zone), BUT I have the “god-given” right to pass through your territory (or any other’s), PERIOD!

Well, there’s more to this.

The bulk of the world’s “oils” are still in the Middle-East, and these resources will continue to be valued and the demand will not subside any time soon. And the major buyers are none other than the US and Europe. While Europe has an easier access and shorter route to the fields of Middle-East (via the Suez Canal, or the Cape of Good Hope route), the US (while they can also use these European routes) are always in need of alternative routes (in case, the Suez is not available for some reasons). Thus, they have to contemplate either using the cheaper Panama Canal or the more treacherous South America southern-most tip as its route to get to the Middle-East. Using the cheaper “canal” route (via Panama), and then through to the South China Sea & Straits of Malacca, US companies can save on time and safety of their goods are guaranteed. Thus, it makes pure economic sense to ply these routes. Naturally, it also makes absolute sense for the US to start worrying when “rightful” nations start to stake claims in these waters that are so vital to the smooth flow of trade within these waters (for their own interests), so as to sustain the US economy. What more, now that the South China Sea has found to hold huge oil and natural gas reserves. So, everyone in the world now (especially, the US) wants to stake a claim here, and have unlimited and unrestricted access through these zones/routes. It doesn’t matter if an area belongs to any country which has sovereign rights to these areas, as per “international law”. Who really cares – just like the Palestinian Issue. They have sovereign rights over their land, too, as construed in hundreds of UN resolutions, and yet the WEST turns a blind eye, acting as if these resolutions never existed!

Considering these circumstances, it is fair to assume that there will be a time in the very near future that China will aggressively pursue their military intentions to secure these territorial waters as their “rightful” economic zone, AND that the US will also aggressively make a stand to secure these territorial waters as their “rightful ‘rights’ to unrestricted passage”. Then, it is also fair to assume that when diplomatic and economic negotiations fail between these lumbering “giants”, there is bound to be military conflicts that will spill throughout the whole region of South-East Asia, particularly Malaysia – because the islands and much of the South China Sea are smack exactly right in between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah & Sarawak. We will definitely join in the fray – a 10-nation, free-for-all, last-man standing, royal “water” rumble (11-nation, if them dumb “Aussies” consider staking a claim, too). And guess who will be the last man standing (or rather, sitting) – Singapore! Yes, our neighboring tiny “thorn in the ass” of a port-city nation. Think about it. You’d think, they’ll join in the fray? Please. They’ll rather sit this one out, lest they’ll be wiped off this Earth. They’ll be more than happy to just watch from the sidelines and see the other 9 decimate each other, then come in to claim the final prize.

Should we all be concerned about this little incident happening in our very own backyard (i.e. the first article, quoted above), which apparently, already have had a long history to begin with? Today, it may be this “spit-and-spat” between these 2 superpowers, next maybe a Spratly invasion. Who knows then, the Straits of Malacca and the escalating piracy issues can then be good reasons for UN-led US puppets to invade Port Klang, Penang & Malacca (:D :D :D, Malacca invaded again?). Oh, by the way, noticed how frequent foreign aircraft carriers and warships seemed to be dropping by Port Klang lately for the past few years – to get used to the staging area, and do a bit of reconnaissance while everyone is still asleep! Extreme scenarios these may be. For some, they’re far too inconceivable – besides, it’s our kids’ turn to start worrying about these things in the future. We should be cozily retired by then, or happily dead. So, as them dumb idiots down-under, always say, “no worries, mate!”

Rise in Sea-Levels

The second article warns of impending climate change and the rise of sea-levels all over the world. While previous estimates put the rise at only half a meter in the next 100 years or so, new estimates indicate it will exceed more than a meter. What this means is that low-lying areas of population near or at the coastline will be permanently flooded in under, at least, one-meter of water. Cities across the globe would be devastated and permanently left in ruins beyond any systematic repair, and thus, uninhabitable. In many countries that have coastlines, most of the major cities will be destroyed. And for Malaysia, Penang, Port Klang, Port Dickson, North Port, Malacca (yes, the one, discussed above, that was going to be invaded AGAIN sometime in the near future), Kuantan, Johor Baru, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and many more towns will be under water. Imagine 50% of our cities destroyed – by permanent floodwaters – in this case, seawater. Good thing though, we have mountain ranges on both sides, East & West Malaysia, so city planners can start building new cities up on or by these mountains. While the expected rise in sea-levels will be gradual, throughout a 100-year period, there should be some sense of urgency in our Home Ministry to start planning for the eventual but gradual mass migration across the whole demographics of our population, away from the coastlines to further up in the mainland and at higher elevations.

Okay, that was the easy scenario, where we deal with this natural catastrophe pretty much on our own. Now comes the sticky part. Remember our neighboring tiny “thorn in the ass” of a port-city nation, which many times has been quite a pain in our butt, especially recently, with the issues on water and the half-bridge. Well they won’t be the “thorn in the ass” anymore. They will be the spear in our very heart. Imagine this, all of the coastline of that island nation, with all its skyscrapers, industries, residential flats, and airport, is under water when the sea-levels rose by one meter. Most of the island is no more than 15 meters above sea level but that is an average elevation of the island nation. The highest point is a hill with a height of only 164 m, while most of the island consists of sandy and flatter land. It has reclaimed land with earth obtained from its own hills, the seabed, and neighboring countries. As a result, the island’s land area has grown from 581.5 km² in the 1960s to 699 km² today, and may grow by another 100 km² by 2030. But how much elevation above sea-level can you get when you reclaim land, maybe an average of 5 meters, at best.

What this means is that, the economic base of the island nation will be totally destroyed. That island has no natural resources, and definitely, not enough land with high-enough elevation from sea-level to accommodate its entire population and industries. The only alternative they will have is to move out of the island and find somewhere else to settle, just like, how the Jews did when they move out of Europe to settle on Palestinian lands. What do you think their government would do now if they knew this is going to happen to their island, their nation, their people, their way of life. I dread to think of the consequences of what they might think.

One scenario would be that they will draw out plans for eventual migration of the whole population, and definitely, that migration must be a feasible one and an achievable one, too. Which means, their next door neighbor will be their obvious target destination. And if we don’t want any part of that plan, guess what, they’ll shove it in our throats. Meaning aggressive behavior is necessary for their survival, just like what the Jews felt when they forcefully evicted Palestinians from their rightful lands. Now of course, we won’t be sitting down, allowing them to walk all over us. We’ll definitely fight back. But this is the easy scenario, where they openly exhibit aggressive behaviors, and every time, we beat them back, and along the way, teach them a few hard-earned lessons on survival.

Now imagine a more likely scenario, where they plan bits and bits of their population to gradually migrate to Malaysia and assimilating into our population, either by appeasement, appealing to our sense of morality and humanity (our government allowing their settlements on our lands), or by gradually emigrating the population to work here, settle here, eventually receiving permanent residence, and ultimately earning citizenship here. All of these scenarios are done at an early stage, preferably now, starting today, so they will have another 100 years to migrate the whole population. As a strategy, this seems more plausible and achievable, as the survival of their race is guaranteed.

Now, actually, there is nothing wrong with this second scenario because at the end of the day, we are still Asians, and some of us have roots in that island nation. More important, this second scenario is more accommodating to all, with both sides having to compromise on many issues so as to achieve the final objective of assimilation into one population. What will be the cause of concern is when the island nation takes an aggressive stance (first scenario), resorting to military means, usually with the close support of their “friendly” superpower nations to achieve their objectives.

Looking at history and the egoistic behaviors of many of their government officials towards Malaysia, it is not inconceivable that they might just start planning for the first scenario. – an all-out confrontation with us. And the US-China skirmishes in the South China Seas, and the assumed subsequent fall-out resulting in multi-nation military conflicts in this region, might just play out to their advantage. While giving the US an excuse to open and monitor the sea lanes in the South China Seas and all other seas in this region, the presence of US forces here (either stationed on the island itself, or on its carrier vessels or somewhere near this region) could prompt and encourage the island nation to constantly provoke its neighbors with sensitive and “out-of-this-world” issues. And prolonged global economic meltdowns might just push nations on the edge, eventually dragging us all into open wars. For the island nation, playing the victim in this scenario is easier this way, and thus getting full support from the international community is guaranteed – especially when we are currently in the US list of “Special Status” nations. Next thing you know, you have Marines on our soil because we are being accused of an unprovoked attack on a harmless, tiny, peace-loving island nation. Remember Kuwait and Desert Storm I. Well here’s JB and Jungle Storm I! This type of bullying tactic never cease to amaze me, and the world is always duped into accepting it as a justified cause!

For the betterment of the human race, let’s hope the second scenario plays out well, when the sea-level rises another meter, or centimeter. Me, I’m happy living on a hilly area with a density of 1,000 trees per person, about 100 meters above sea-level, and no coastline in sight!