In his message to the conference “The Islamic Ummah and the Challenges Ahead”, Saudi Arabian King Fahd Ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud, said that comprehensive reforms should be implemented to solve the current problems facing the Islamic Ummah (community). The conference was held in the holy city of Mecca from January 24 to 26.

A number of Muslim scholars and intellectuals from the Islamic world attended the conference. King Fahd said he considers extremism, the fact that Muslim youth do not have a correct understanding of Islam, and the failure to implement Islamic law as the most important issues facing Islam.

The Saudi monarch stated that the groundwork should be prepared for reforms in all aspects of the lives of Muslim people in order to overcome the problems. However, despite the fact that King Fahd’s proposal is in the right direction, it would be more effective to adopt a thorough approach in which the root causes of the problems are identified and dealt with. In this regard, many questions arise, the foremost being: Why is there such a low level of progress and development in the Islamic world, despite the fact that Islamic countries possess vast resources and potential and occupy sensitive strategic locations?

Unfortunately, ethnic and regional conflicts and lack of unity and solidarity among Muslim countries have stifled growth and technical and scientific development in the Islamic world. These factors have also facilitated the hegemony of colonial powers over much of the Islamic world, foreign interference in the internal affairs of Muslim countries, and the expansionist policies of the Zionist regime in the Middle East.

Through the all-out support of Western countries, particularly the United States, and the use of the financial and military resources provided by them, the Zionist regime has been able to threaten over 200 million Muslims in the Middle East.

It is clear that in order to solve its problems the Islamic Ummah must make vast improvements and reforms in its political, social, and cultural infrastructure. Improving the relationship between governments and the people is one of the most important changes that must be made. In fact, by relying on their own people and shunning dependence on and subservience to colonial powers, Islamic governments can pave the way for unity among Islamic countries.

Moreover, Islamic unity would in turn prepare the ground for scientific development and growth and would encourage Muslims to actively confront the imperialist powers.

Islamic unity is the only solution. Reforms should be implemented in Islamic countries with this end in mind.