THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE ISLAMIC WORLD AND RUSSIA FOR WORLD PEACE AND PROSPERITY

BY MOHD.NAKHAIE AHMAD

Peace Be With All.

I would like to take this take this opportunity to forward my utmost thanks and appreciation to the Russian  Federation, especially to the Russian Mufties Council Office and to my friend Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin because of his willingness to invite  me to attend this conference between Russia and Muslim countries. I am confident and believe that this such conference is very important as the world truly needs a balance in relationships between countries in these troubled times. I too pray that this conference will meet its objectives. 

The Muslim world has a very strategic position on the global map. It spreads around  Asia adjoining Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa. Major earth produces like oil, gas, various metals are found on these lands. Apart from this large expand of earth, the Muslim world is rich with religious devotees ubiquitous in this part of the region. It exists in Europe, Asia and America. As we all know, Russia herself,  has a vast amount of Muslim citizens.

With its strategic position and the very many Islamic believers, the importance of the Muslim world to the general world, should not be taken lightly. Right now, even in its  weak and confused state, the importance of the Muslim world to the general world is still very much relevant. The approaches taken by high powers to conquer and destroy the Muslim world is unlikely to succeed. Nato’s actions to take over Afghanistan, has caused big losses to countries. Whereas conquests on Afghanistan by intended mock-governments, does not show even a shadow of success! Similarly, what is going-on in Iraq, the United States and its program to withdraw its troops from that topsy-turvy land clearly shows its failure to the world. Invasion approaches are also currently not relevant. The same goes with the ”master- slave”  and ”finger pointing” approaches that orders about and forces Muslim countries do something to benefit the bigger and more developed countries. 

Russia on the other hand is a developed nation with superpower status and has an important role in designing international relations. Although after the cold war ended and international communications formed a unilateral base where Western powers are most dominant, the world's biggest power - Russia, still play a role in directing and how relations for the future should be, internationally of course. This is only because Russia  owns veto power in the United Nations thus balancing the Western powers and maintaining world peace. As a developed nation, Russia also has the expertise in the areas of science and technology and can develop its patent  to benefit humankind.

My Brothers and Sisters,

We would like Russia to play an important role in efforts to maintain world stability and construct a fairer order and balance in distributing the world’s prosperity thus ensuring that the sovereignity of poor countries are preserved and this is being developed in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. Relationships that are not based on oppression,  exploitation and ”master-slave” approaches are badly needed to achieved such mentioned results.

I am counting on Russia to act wisely when taking the initiatives to bridge herself with the Muslim world and to cooperate for the benefits of all. Relationships that do not intend to force, control and conquer, have the advantages of long-term and short-term profits for both sides and also for world peace and stability.

Sources of wealth in the Muslim world and technological as well as science skills in Russia can be united to build an economical progress within the Muslim world and also in Russia. Cooperation between the Muslim world and Russia in defence technology and weapons production, would release the Muslim world from being dependant on Western  countries to seek arms supply for defence purposes. Capital from Islamic countries and the expertise from Russia can be united to achieve this very purpose. 

Our world would face a big challenge, if political equilibrium, economy and defense strength fail to exists. War and invasion decisions have been made easy by leaders who realize  that it is his country that monopolizes the weaker countries. But if strength of powers in this world were in a balanced state, it will definitely not be easy for any  leader to invade or make decisions for battle, should there be any conflict. Political conclusions and decisions made would be strong and firm in facing crisis and international conflicts. I am confident that organised cooperation between the Muslim world and Russia can produce a balanced new strength equivalent to that of the Western block. 

A global crisis had elapsed in the world economic field which shows the brittleness of the conventional system, especially in the areas of finance. The world requires a change in the economic system and a firmer financial standing to face the upcoming era. Even the economic education based solely on needs must be reviewed. Economic theories based on catering to unlimited desires and the system formed on it, has proven to produce greedy and rash elements in wealth accumulation. This has caused the collapse of the conventional economic system which brought us to the global economic crisis that we are in now and the notable un-fair distribution of wealth throughout the world. 

In this relationship, Russia and the Islamic world can cooperate to develop a financial system and Islamic banking, which has proven to have very high morality which gives deep sympathy towards humanity. This system can be developed further with the cooperation of the international community and various other corperations. Russia and the Muslim world will benefit together if this system evolves from a good relationship  between both sides. 

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RUSSIA AND MALAYSIA

Allow me to touch a little on the inter-relationship between Russia and Malaysia. Bilateral ties which have been long formed, show extreme positive effects from both sides, especially in the education field. Now, thousands of Malaysian students, mostly in the medical field, are studying in Russia. The readiness of the Russians to received Malaysian students show that Russia is ready to cooperate with Muslim countries. As Malaysia practises moderation, tolerance and can be proud of the amount of progress it has achieved, Malaysia would like to be the ’door’ to welcome Russia to build  relationships with other Muslim countries. Close ties between Russia and Malaysia, would give a large impact on the relations between Russian and these Muslim countries. 

The relationship between Russia and Malaysia in space knowledge, enabled Malaysia join the exploration to outer space in a mission participated by the first Malaysian astronaut. This was a significant beginning for Malaysia, which enabled the Muslim world to follow suit. This field is a field strategic for progressive relationship, military and others. I believe, such cooperation between Russia and the Islamic countries, will produce balance in relationships between countries of the world to produce global peace and justice. 

Of course there other strategic fields that can be developed progressively from time to time and with the increase of the closeness between Russia and these Muslim countries in future. 

With this, I thank you.