Islamic Civilisation as a Vital Force in a Multipolar World Order?
The recent Comprehensive Strategic Partnership towards China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future in conjunction with the Premier of the People’s Republic of China’s visit can potentially indicate a brighter future not only between these two nations but more symbolically, between two civilisations—the Chinese and a representative of Islamic Civilisation. Indeed, the Joint Statement released by Wisma Putra (Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) on 20 June 2024 shows Malaysia and China agreeing to deepen exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Islamic civilisations.
Against this backdrop, in the field of international relations, scholars have observed a surge in civilisational geopolitics especially among non-Western nations—as a positive resistance to the hegemony of the Western worldview. This trend challenges the dominance of the international liberal order and the influence of the 1 per cent super-wealthy Western elites towards global agenda-setting and framing of various challenges.
In the Muslim world, a significant awareness persists among some members of the learned and political elites on the reality of Islamic Civilisation—that it is not merely a historical phenomenon but a living reality with a distinct vision of governance, society, economy, culture, education, and life as a whole; that it is “a civilization that emerges among the diversity of cultures of Muslim peoples of the world as a result of the permeation of the basic elements of the religion of Islam which those people have caused to emerge from within themselves,” as cogently defined by Tan Sri Professor Dr. Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas.
Despite being a global intellectual, cultural, economic, and geopolitical powerhouse for centuries before being subdued in recent times, its rightful place in the international arena remains unrecognised even by Muslim leaders. Yet, the proponents for the Multipolar World Order are eager for its revival. The leading Russian thinker of geopolitics and international affairs, Alexandr Dugin, for instance, recognises the place of the ‘Islamic civilisation’ alongside other several civilisations that must be recognised if the world is to move away from the excesses of a Unipolar World Order we are witnessing today.
The proper recognition and acknowledgment of Islam as a civilisation in the contemporary Muslim state will necessarily imply that the vision for ordering life and the parameters or limits one should abide by—informed by the intellectual and spiritual tradition of this civilisation—will be brought to the fore and benefitted upon accordingly.
As Islamic Civilisation is a civilisation that regards wisdom from whichever civilisation it may be, as belonging to theirs too (as conveyed by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), in the case of Malaysia, her people stand a chance to benefit from the wisdom and insights of the great civilisations of Asia, as well as anything commendable from the Western civilisation.
A nation’s reference points—if they return to their civilisational roots—will then not necessarily rely upon solely from international bodies, nor by foreign consultants, rather the reference points will be experts who are familiar with rich treasure trove of wisdom contained in the civilisation, as well as wisdom from other civilisations.
A number of Muslim states are already halfway to fully embracing their civilisational roots—albeit with degrees of manifestations. Central Asia, for instance, despite almost a century of Soviet Rule with its ambivalent relationship with Islam, is now seeing a revival with Uzbekistan’s Centre of Islamic Civilisation being its most symbolic project of spectacular scale (see https://en.tamaddun-cisc.uz/).
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed the need to revive Islamic civilisation and for it to reclaim its rightful place in the contemporary world:
In order for our civilization [of Islam] to claim its rightful place in the hearts and minds of all humanity, first we must choose our course correctly. We cannot cover the distance we desire in other areas without first regulating the courses of Islamic civilization, namely Sufism, science, and reflections. Today, one of the biggest problems of the Islamic world is this. Those who do not reflect on and concern themselves with their own civilization cannot be assertive about anything else.
(https://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/news/542/85040/those-who-are- unfamiliar-with-civilization-are-bound-to-give-into-imitation)
To restore the rightful place of Islamic Civilisation in the global order, Muslim leaders must advocate for a more inclusive and multipolar world order. This vision of a multipolar world, where multiple civilisations and cultures coexist and collaborate on equal footing, offers a promising framework for integrating the perspectives and philosophical framework of Islamic Civilisation into global discourse.
In this multipolar world, Islamic Civilisation can contribute significantly to global governance, to a more just economic system, to cultural flourishing, and to human advancement. The rich intellectual tradition of Islamic Civilisation can enrich global debates on ethical questions as well as the philosophy of progress and development as a whole.
To gain further grounds in this new global possibility, Muslim leaders and diplomats must proactively learn about Islamic Civilisation as a historical phenomenon as well as its contemporary practical implications. Only then the Muslim nations would be more equipped to engage in proper diplomacy, fostering dialogue and collaboration with other civilisations and cultures. They must also work towards strengthening the institutions that can conduct research on Islamic Civilisation as well as its contemporary implications in the global arena.
In the global arena, the Global Civilisation Initiative advocated by the People’s Republic of China under President Xi Jinping, which promotes a more inclusive and balanced world order by recognizing and integrating the contributions of all civilisations deserves to be supported. By actively participating in and supporting this initiative, Muslim leaders can help ensure that the perspectives and philosophical framework of Islamic Civilisation are adequately represented and respected in global decision-making processes.
The resurgence of civilisational geopolitics presents an opportunity for Islamic Civilisation to reclaim its rightful place in the international arena. By embracing the vision of a multipolar world and actively engaging in global initiatives such as BRICS, Muslim leaders can potentially contribute to building a future where the rich legacy of Islamic Civilisation is fully recognised and appreciated. This not only benefits Muslim societies but also enriches the global community by offering diverse perspectives and solutions to common challenges.
In conclusion, the restoration of Islamic Civilisation’s rightful place in the international arena is not merely a matter of justice but a necessity for creating a more balanced, diverse, and harmonious world. The contributions of Islamic Civilisation to governance, economy, culture, education, and life as a whole are invaluable in addressing global challenges and building a sustainable future. By advocating for a multipolar world and participating in the Global Civilisation Initiative, Muslim leaders can help create a world where the principles and vision of Islamic Civilisation are respected and integrated into the global order.
References
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