GLOBALIZATION AND THE MUSLIM WORLD

 BY ASMA LIAQUAT*

Due to the advancement in science and technology, the world has turned into a Global Village.  It possesses same characteristic as that of a village.  We know about other countries of the world and their people. Just as villagers know each other.  The term Global Village was first used by "Melcuhan" thirty years ago.  The term village is used because media has shrunk the world.  Media is the window of the world, through which we see and contact each other.  A large number of channels are available in the world.  A global culture emerges through these channels.

Globalization has its relevance in Arabic literature.  Islam is the religion of peace and harmony.  It also says Muslim should be united under one platform.  This attention will gain prominence in the 21st century as people become more aware of their most glaring aspect and react to its characteristics and feature.  As we know the media is the window of the world.  It covers the entire world and plays a significant role in human life.

There are some suggestions or ideas, recommendations and far as the theme of my paper is concerned: -

à Ideological aspect is a common factor in the Islamic block.  All Muslim countries have same religious and cultural values.  Globalization is a challenge - a challenge from which identities and cultures benefit. Cultures have become more prominent on the world stage at the level of relations among nations and civilization.  One of the important factors is foreign policy and foreign relations.  Through common foreign policy, Muslim world can pursue their national interest.

à No one can deny the international significant role of the Organization of Islamic Countries (O.I.C.).  There is a need of some other Islamic organization to forge meaningful relations and help the Muslim World to provide a forum for Muslims in resolving the conflicts and work for the formation of Islamic bloc. 

à Islamic World Bank needs to play a role in helping out Muslim countries by providing financial assistance and relief.  Finance is always a main hurdle for developing nations. Poor Muslim counties can immensely benefit from this bank.  Single currency is another important issue in the Islamic bloc.  It would lead to prosperity and they can start technological projects and promote science and technology in the world.

à Free market/Free Trade is also a signal of economic growth of the Muslim world.  In this way they can exchange their imports and exports, utilization of raw material, economic model utilization and high level of co-operation.

à Democratic Institutions should be established for promoting friendly relationship.  There is a need of strong democratic and representative governments in the Muslim world. Democratic institutions and strong bureaucracy are also an indication of stability and progress in the Islamic World. 

à Common Security Policy is another important aspect.  No human security can ignore security of itself.  Common security is also helping in peace making and peace keeping because no country would dare to adopt the policy of aggression against the Muslim country.

à Process of Reforms. They should also introduce process of reforms in every sector. Muslims countries cannot ignore the agriculture and industrial sector.  These areas also needed their attention.  Muslim countries should be self sufficient in producing food grain.

à Social Development. Most of Islamic countries have the lowest literacy rate in the world.  Therefore Islamic bloc should spend much of their budget on education and social development rather than on defense.

à Islamic countries should also try to create more opportunities to get their people closer so that they can exchange their views and share their feelings, ideas and opinions independently with each other.

à Role of Business Communities. Role of business communities among countries is very vital for friendly relationship among the Muslim countries.  These countries will make their own agreements and will remove all restriction against trade and commerce.

à They (Muslim countries) can arrange seminars or conferences and lectures of experts to address the vital issue and express their ideas to clear public opinion easily through these efforts.  They can exchange their TV programs and their cultural heritage.  They can exchange modern technology with each other and can establish research institution to improve the quality of education ultimately.  It will lead to social developments and globalization extols the imposition of one way thinking and popularization of one type culture through control of the tools of globalization, especially, world-wide satellite delivery of picture, meaning, symbol and principle.

* Asma Liaquat is student of B.A (Hons) IIIrd Year at the Department of International Relations, University of Karachi

All content (C) Department of International Relations, Karachi University

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