Malicious and False Campaign Against Islamic Countries

- By Najmuddin Ahmad Farooqi

A disinformation campaign inimical to the interests of Arab/ Islamic/ Muslim countries is phenomenally on the rise for quite some time. Reason of this belief is a section of media falsely and surreptitiously implicate the names of those countries with a number of alleged social and religious evils and also with an ill intention highlight their failures on growth and development fronts. I am really astonished the same media camouflage and shower praise on select country or countries of their preference or choice despite the fact that those countries run the system with bigotry and have poor track record. A neutral analysis reverse the story altogether. In this very context a message first seen probably in 2018, recently resurfaced on SM. The text of the message is a copy-cut-paste from the articles written by Hosein Askari an Irani scholar who is considered an expert on KSA affairs.

ASKARI writes (Please read the excerpts from "a" to "f" below):

1. a) "In my opinion, Islam was hijacked by oppressive and corrupt "rulers" immediately after the death of Mohammadﷺ."
2. b) In an interview to MNA Tehran on Nov 13, 2018 he said beyond doubt, "Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS)" ordered for Khashoggi kidnapping, murder and disposal of the body."
3. c) He further said "I don’t believe that MBS can survive". How can the Al-Sauds pretend to be upholders of Islamic faith ? The custodian of two holy mosques ? Their only claim to legitimacy is religion. How can MBS be respected by a foreign leader and especially in Muslim world ?"
4. d) ""it’s tme to make peace with Iran", Hossein writes in Harvard Business School Magazine edition jan-Feb 1994 :"We nurse an abiding dislike for everything Iranian from humiliation of hostage standoff to Iran’s alleged support for international terrorism".
5. e) "There is plenty in Iran to arouse dismay, distaste, and deep distrust. Nevertheless in my opinion Iran has more genuine long-term potential as a trading partner and as an economic and even political ally of US than Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, or Egypt. Israel aside, no country in Middle East today presents more promising opportunities for U.S business than Islamic Republic of Iran."
6. f) In short, Iran has settled its internal struggles، re-emerged with functional republican institutions. According to Askari, Saudi Arabia’s future holds painful transformation of totally a feudal society with no constitution, no freedom of religious worship."
7. g) "Iranian institutions and respect for human rights may not live up to Western ideals, but they are years ahead of their neighbors. While the clerics chose a constitution giving unsurpassed authority to supreme religious leader, still they did create a constitution and in doing so affirmed the concept and much of the practice of civil and political rights. While law not permits criticism of Khomeini or his successor as Iran’s religious leader, on all political and other points there is freedom of religious worship, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press.

REBUTTAL

While out of curiosity we refer to the sources authentic as none other than UN, "Pew", other internationally recognised agencies to understand about the corresponding facts, surprisingly that shows a contrary picture.

"Pew" Research Centre' is a nonpartisan Washington based think tank speaks on social issues conducts opinion polls taking opinions of a larger cross section of peoples, demographic research random surveys research etc. While the internationally considered benchmarks to judge the Global rankings by countries are; Lower poverty rates, access to quality healthcare system, strong economies, better job prospects, adequate wages, security, law & order, GDP, GDP Per Capita, Consumer Price Index (CPI). Efficient Infrastructures, Education and Research opportunities, general standard of living, Political stability etc are the benchmarks to measure a country's ranking. All these traits have been completely ignored by Askari. According to a report published in the year 2022 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was the fastest growing economy, leaving behind countries like China, India, and other struggling economies of Western Europe & North America۔ For reader's convenience ranking by country is divided into following sections (I) to (VI) :

( I ) GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) 2022

Source, World Bank & UNO, as on July 25, 2023 In chronological order of world ranking۔

Rank   Country         GDP Growth%        GDP per capita in $

5          India   7.00   2389

16       Indonesia      5.31   4788

17       Saudi  Arabia            8.74   30436 (Highest)

19       Turkey           5.57   10616

27       Israel  6.46   57758

28       UAE    7.41   53758

31       Egypt 6.59   4294

34       Bangladesh  7.10   2688

36       Malaysia       8.69   11972

40       Iran    2.75   4388

( II ) PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

These rights include physical integrity rights such as freedom from torture or political imprisonment, empowerment rights such as freedom of speech and assembly, worker's rights, freedom from child labor, economic and justice rights, right to a fair trial, (freedom from political imprisonment, freedom from extrajudicial killing): Category A. from top & B۔ from bottom :

COUNTRY RANKINGA۔ under this category comes only US and EU countries hence name not mentioned

( III ) HUMAN FREEDOM INDEX (HFI) 2023

HFI Encompasses; Personal + Economic Freedom. Categories of HFI : Rule of Law, security and safety religion, civil society expression, Identity and relationship, legal system and Property Rights, access to sound money, freedom to trade etc. The Human Freedom Index gives each country a score from 0 to 10, wherein a score of 10 represents the most freedom and 0 represents no freedom at all:

TOP TEN COUNTRIES

NAME            SCORE

Switzerland  9.01

New   Zealand         8.88

Denmark      8.83

Ireland           8.79

Sweden         8.75

Estonia          8.75

Iceland          8.73

Luxembourg            8.71

Finland          8.70

Norway         8.58

TEN     WITH LOWEST        HFI

Iraq    4.73

KSA     4.53

Somalia         4.49

Egypt 4.24

Venezuela    4.22

Iran    4.03

Myanmar     3.88

Sudan            3.81

Yemen           3.43

Syria   2.96

Country Year Numbers

IRAN   2022  596

2023  834

KSA     2022  147

2023  170

CHINA            2023  834

EGYPT            2022  24

RAQ    2022  14+

KUWAIT        2022  7

USA : 18 in 2022, 24 in 2023 & 6 in 2024

AFGHANISTAN : from 2021 to April 2024 : 5 in open stadium in full public view

UAE: Nil after 2017

PAKISTAN : from Jan 2020 to Aug 2021 : NIL

INDONESIA : last in 2016

MALAYSIA : last only one in 2017

TURKIYE Nil since 1984, in 2004 Death sentence abolished

BANGLADESH: Between Jan 2018 to Dec 2022, Amnesty International recorded 13

(IV) EXECUTION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT (DEATH PENALTY)

INDIA: a) Rejecting governments's data on number of execution of capital punishment since independence, People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) has unearthed the records show 1422 executions carried out just in a single decade (1953 to 1964). The real number should be manifold. PUDR found this startling information in the appendix of Law Commission's 35th report on the death sentence.

b) There is steady increase in number of suicides also. According to home ministry sources, the number of suicides during 2001 was 1,08,506; in 2002, it rose to 1,10,417. In 2003, 1,10,851 people decided to end their lives. These figures are just a grim indicator of the real situation considering they are based on police records.

(V) NUMBER OF UNIVERSITIES AND GROSS ENROLMENT RATIO (GER) IN HIGHER EDUCATION (HE) (THE NUMBER OF UG & PG COLLEGES NOT INCLUDED CONSIDERED) :

The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) measures the number of students enrolled in HE as percentage of eligible population aged 18 to 24 years.

INDIA: 1074 Universities (56 central+ 460 state+ 430 Pvt+ 128 Deemed as per UGC list). As per official data of the Ministry of Education in 2023 the GER in higher education level in India was 27.1%۔ The data also shows a significant gap between male and female GER, with females consistently having lower GER than males during all past years. Moreover, the GER for SCs and STs is considerably lower than the national average for all categories.

SAUDI ARABIA : Univ. 35 ( King Abdul Aziz University has enrolled 117000 students ( Girls 61000+ Boys 56000 ) Estimated GER in HE 56.28% ie 1.97 million students in population 3.80 million of Age Group 18-24 during 2022-23. The KSA government allocates 25% of its annual budget for education including vocational training and spends around 13.17 billion U.S. dollars on primary education and research. Not surprised if this is highest across the globe. The system provides the student free education, books and healthcare.

IRAN : Univ. 45 ; Estimated GER in HE is 50% ie 5 million students in the population of 10 million in the age bracket 18-24 years during 2022-23

IRAQ : Univ. 40 ; 7.40 million enrolled in HE2018

UAE : Univ. 25 ; GER in HE 52.71% in 2020

KUWAIT: Univ. 7; GER in HE

QATAR: Univ. 7 ; GER in HE 35.09%

SYRIA: Univ. 22 ; GER in HE 43% ie 2.30 million

INDONESIA : Univ. 100 ; GER in HE 43.60% in 2022

MALAYSIA : Univ. 70 ; GER in HE 40.40%

EGYPT : Univ. 80; Estimated GER in higher education is 33.77% ie 3.72 million students in the population of 9.08 million in the age bracket 20-24 years

TURKEY : Univ. 200; GER in HE 20%

PAKISTAN : Univ. 170 ; 3.30 million students enrolled for HE in 20-21

BANGLADESH : Univ. 150 ; GER in HE 20.80%

AFGHANISTAN: Univ. 35 ; In 2021 there were nearly 10 million students and 220,000 teachers in Afghanistan.

MOROCCO: Univ. 11 ; GER in HE 11% in 2020-21

NIGERIA: Univ. 170 ; GER in HE 17% in 2020-21

SUDAN: Univ. 52 ; GER in HE 28.40% in 2020-21

ISRAEL: Univ. 10 ; GER in HE 50.10% in 2021

KAZAKHSTAN: Univ. 124 ; GER in HE 50% in 2023

KYRGYZSTAN: Univ. 61 ; GER in HE 55.4% in 2022

TURKMENISTAN: Univ. 18 ; Not available ( NA )

UZBEKISTAN : Univ. 58 ; GER in HE 14.92% in 2020

LEBANON: Univ. 41 ; GER in HE 50+% in 2020

YEMEN : Univ. 46 ; N A

USA : Univ. 339 ; Estimated GER in 2022-23 42.33% ie 18.58 million students in the population 43.89 million between 15 - 24 age group.

(VI) HAPPINESS INDEX;

Global ranking of happiness by country is measured on following consideration: (1) Economy (2) citizen engagement (3) communications & technology (4) diversity (social issues) (5) education & families (6) food & shelter (7) government and politics (8) law & order (9) health (10) religion & ethics (11) transportation (12) work etc. Three Islamic countries join the club of top 30 ; Kuwait 13, UAE 22, Saudi Arabia 28 while US comes at 23 and from bottom Iran 100th & India 126th.

KSA is a glaring example of paradigm shift from a conservative approach of the past regimes to a more pragmatic and flexible regime now, under the supervision of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman popularly known as MBS. An ambitious "vision document 2030" launched in 2016 by MBS the then Dy Crown Prince has become the first ever world leaders to launch such a document. The regime's goal is to build Saudi Arabia a robust economy, reducing dependence on oil, diversify the revenue, exploit its unique geographical location and become a global hub that connects Asia, Europe and Africa. Today Nation's 60% of population under 35 look at the young leadership of MBS with hope. A large number of talented motivated and male and female youth get equal opportunity taking part to transform their country. Curbing the powers of religious police is a giant step forward cultural and social reforms get rid of suffocating restrictions earn MBS a big support and admiration۔ At the same time, in order to remove the general misgivings, Crown prince hosted leaders of other religions focused on advantages and virtues of interfaith cooperation. Inviting Jewish rabbis and Christian preachers encourage them to engage in dialogue with one another along with the local ulema. The bottom line, Saudi Arabia is seemingly better off and happier today than ever before. Ask the youth forming 60% population, what they think ?, and get the answer.

Under the auspices of the "Great futures" campaign begun in 2024 within the framework of KSA and Great Britain Strategic Partnership Council, reviewed the extensive progress that has been made in modernising and diversifying the bilateral relationship, to the benefit of the people of both countries. They agreed on projects of new cooperation in multi spherical programmes:

EDUCATION ; The two Kingdoms celebrated the establishment of five independent British schools in KSA. Moreover, Kingdoms have reaffirmed their mutual objective to double the number of such institutions by the year 2025. The two Kingdoms have also welcomed University of Strathclyde's becoming first UK higher education institution to establish a physical presence within KSA, in partnership with Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University. Nearly14,000 Saudi students currently pursuing studies in Uk.

HEALTHCARE : The partnership agreed to collaborate in digital transformation, antimicrobial resistance, climate health and to explore cooperation in biotechnology and preventative medicine.

FINANCIAL SERVICES ; Agreed to continue cooperation in the areas of banking, Insurance, asset management etc.

BILATERAL TRADE ; € 17.3 billion, targetted to increase £30 billion by 2030.

INVESTMENT ; $21 bn of investment in UK and U.K foreign direct investment stock into KSA reaching $13 billion as of 2023.

SANCTITY OF "HARMAIN-SHARIFAIN"

Moreover a campaign is also on, for the alleged unIslamic and anti Islamic conduct of Saudi regime n the day to day progress developments and reforms of the country and that eventually lead to unrest among the Non-Arab Muslims living across the globe and specially in the Indian subcontinent. There is general perception among global Muslim Community that Saudi Arabia the country as a whole and specially the cities of Mecca and Medina are holy places and it is incumbent upon the KSA regime to protect and preserve the sanctity and maintain the status quo as per sharia. First is the birth place of Islam and the Prophetﷺ and the other being the Prophetﷺ migration and his success in the early growth of Islam, respectively. Although the regime rebutted the rumours time and again yet not succeeded. The intentional false and fabricated propaganda is still on and hell bent to tarnish Saudi's image. The cities of Mecca and Medina are considered as the highest seat of Islamic faith by a large majority of global Muslims. Need is felt to make the people aware of the reality and unravel the truth in front of them so as the rumours stop spreading any further.

The boundaries encompassing the sacred areas are limited to the precincts and not spread to the entire cities from end to end. There is a thin line in the interpretation of holiness of the two cities separately. (1) Masjid e Haraam or Haram e Mecci and (2) Masjid e Haraam or Haram e Madani.

1.For Masjid Haraam Mecci Quran Surah Tauba verse 28 says:

يَآ اَيُّـهَا الَّـذِيْنَ اٰمَنُـوٓا اِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُـوْنَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا يَقْرَبُوا الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ* بَعْدَ عَامِهِـمْ هٰذَا ۚ وَاِنْ خِفْتُـمْ عَيْلَـةً فَسَوْفَ يُغْنِيْكُمُ اللّـٰهُ مِنْ فَضْلِـهٓ ٖ اِنْ شَآءَ ۚ اِنَّ اللّـٰهَ عَلِيْـمٌ حَكِـيْـمٌ (28)

( اے ایمان والو! مشرک تو ناپاک ہیں سو اس برس کے بعد مسجد حرام* کے نزدیک نہ آنے پائیں، اور اگر تم تنگدستی سے ڈرتے ہو تو آئندہ اللہ اگر چاہے تمہیں اپنے فضل سے غنی کر دے گا، بے شک اللہ جاننے والا حکمت والا ہے۔ )

(( Oh believers! After this year entry to Non Muslims ( who don't believe is Islam ) wouldn't be permitted to enter Masjid e Haram or Haram e Mecci or inside the hudood e haram. And don't fear for poverty، if Allah want will shower prosperity۔ undoubtedly Allah is wise know everything )). We may observe in this verse the reference is "Masjid e Haraam (مسجد حرام))", and "Haraam refers to ONE, for more than one it is called Harmain Sharifain.

No Quranic verse for Hudood e haram Madani. According to Sharia Entry to Non Muslims is permissible here, subject to the approval by competent authority with a rider "for a limited period only". In Arabic the sacred area comes under the two cities Mecca and Madina is called "HARMAIN-SHARIFAIN" or "Hijaz Muqaddas". Hazrat Umar Bin Abdul Aziz was a highly respected Caliph during Umayyad rule, allowed non Muslim labours in the construction of Masjid e Nabvi and his decision was taken according Sunnah of IInd and IIIrd Caliphs Amirul Momineen Hazrat Umar Farooq Bin Khattab (RA) and Amirul Momineen Hazrat Usman Bin Affan (RA) respectively.

Now that should be evidently clear that the designated and specified area treated as holy and sanctified is very well defined as per Sharia ( Kitab and Sunnah ). Pre and post birth Islam of there were no sovereign boundaries called Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as existing today. Even it was named Saudi Arabia in 1932 after the name of King Ibn Saud. Why Saudi Arabian regime doesn't have the right to progress and prosper like any other country in the world ( then there are 56, 57 Islamic/ Muslim countries ).

Heavy projects include, development of "Diriyah" the birthplace of first Saudi state; the preservation and development of the coastal city of Jeddah; NEOM the future city has garnered the lion’s share of attention. By 2030 country is supposed to draw 70 million international tourists a year, tourism to contribute 10% of GDP. Women empowerment in the role of Nation building is growing day by day. Framing of new legislations, uplift and strengthen the position of women in the society, who are now effectively partnering in all round developments economic, social, science, culture etc. An initiative to empower women in civil services enhance their leadership role. Moreover the capability of women leaders enables the authorities to nominate them in the boards of directors as well as foreign delegations.

Excerpts from the official website of US Government; 2019-REPORT ON KSA's INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM : The Basic Law of Governance establishes KSA a sovereign state with official religion Islam. The Basic Law says sharia is the “foundation of the Kingdom”, constitution is Quran and Sunna. The Basic Law requires the state to protect human rights as per sharia. Human Rights Commission (HRC), a govt entity of 28 members including two SHIA members. The legal system is based largely on sharia as per HAMBALI school. Law criminalizes “an attempt to cast doubt on fundamentals of Islam". The govt take steps to combat religious extremism and encourage inter-religious dialogue. KSA’s sovereign employs the official title of “Custodian of two Holy Mosques". Country's population at 33.60 million (2019 estimate) constitutes twelve million expatriates. Shia Muslims constitute 10-12% ( 80% are twelvers 5 lacs . Another branch of Seveners, Bohra Ismailis, Zaidis are approx 20,000 ).

PALESTINE UNFORGETTABLE HORRENDOUS CATASTROPHE

The mounting loss of life and property in the barbaric war by Israeli army attacking and killing hundreds of thousands of Palestinian people women children and old alike. The loss is horrendous unforgettable irreparable and unprecedented. The continuous one sided attack led by Netanyahu and their war crimes is a gross violation of Geneva convention. The international court of justice (ICJ) has taken a serious note of it. The destruction to infrastructure is so grave that no place in Gaza is safe to live. No words of condemnation will suffice. The audacious Biden administration taking side with Netanyahu has shaken the very soal of a country known to be the oldest vibrant and the most liberal democracy in the world. The shocking attack by Hamas on Oct 7, 2023 killing over a hundred Israeli civilians is equally condemnable. The scale of retaliatory onslaught by Israel is not only unjustifiable but unequivocally condemnable in the strongest possible words. The war crimes would undoubtedly leave an ugliest blot on the reputation and credibility of Israel and the future will remember Netanyahu a "Butcher of humanity". No words can console no aid, financial or otherwise can compensate the loss to Palestine and Palestinians suffered to an unimaginable level. Although UNGA, UNSC, EU, African, South American and Asian Countries all have shown solidarity with Palestine but as a matter of fact the institutions have failed to contain or prevent the defiant Bibi and his army. The GCC, OIC and Arab league together have continuously maintained their tough stand against Israel's criminal offensive pressurising the international community, UNGA, UNSC & ICJ for a permanent ceasefire and the day after for an immediate implementation of the two state solution, Palestine along the 1964 borders.

Nowadays a paradigm shift in the international diplomacies of the nations can be observed from the facts of interdependence of the nations in the bilateral relations depending upon the geopolitics, free trade, economic considerations etc. vis a vis a country believes in strengthening its military power primarily pretending for the "balance of power". However as a matter of fact to defend, defeat or as a counter offensive in case of any potential threat from a hostile neighbour. The developing countries basically focus to establishing a peaceful nuclear program. Such an example can be seen in the case of ongoing negotiations between Saudi regime and US for establishment of a Nuclear Program in KSA. The dialogues process began much before Oct 7, 2023 and that is still on. Reportedly as part of the deal KSA is supposed to improve diplomatic relations with Israel. Principally the regime is in agreement for a dialogue with Israel but of course not with any pre condition that may dilute their policy on Palestine ever since 1977 during Crown Prince Fahad's regime of the two state solution, Palestine to become an independent state along the 1967 borders.

(Due diligence observed in the collection of data from globally acceptable neutral and well acknowledged sources۔ However errors and omissions are not ruled out, specially in the number of universities as their numbers keep on changing)