democratization of the muslim world globalization 2010

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A member of The Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW), Istanbul, Turkey NO. 3 2010

by Ahmad Azam Abdul Rahman

T urkey, a great nation that had once led the Muslim

ummah under the Caliphate system may yet hold

the key to the major problems aficting the Muslim

world today. Islam is being revitalized in a country that

is well prepared for acceptance in the modern world.

If Islam becomes accepted in the West and the rest of

the world, it is the adaptation of Islam to democratic

values under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan

that is mainly responsible.

Islam, in the conservative form that is being practiced

in most parts of the world, has played into the hands

of superpowers that have succeeded in portraying it

as a reactionary force. It is imperative therefore, for

DemocratizationOf The Muslim World

P r esident , Republic of T ur k ey - H.E Abdullah Gul



Muslim leaders to bring Islam to bear on the goals of good governance, political

and social stability and more importantly, a functioning democracy.

On the positive side, a number of Muslim countries have been moving towards

a genuine convergence between Islam and the principles of democracy. If there

have been shortcomings, the fault lies in the existence not only of opposing views

stridently upheld by centrifugal forces within Islam both internal and external;

but also interference from countries that wield powerful inuence aimed at

furthering geo-political interests .

Merging the Islamic model with democracy has been the dream of reformists the

world over. Muslim leaders, however, have not been able to offer to the ummah

a long term, viable and acceptable model of good governance.

Our fervent hope is that progressive Muslim countries like Turkey, Malaysia and

Indonesia that have emerged in modern times as functioning democracies that

are sanctioned, validated

and legitimized by

religion, will be able toset universally accepted

standards and benchmark

for emulation by a world that is striving to strike the right balance

between material development and spiritual values.

If democracy can function and co-exist with the teaching of

Islam in every aspect of governance (in relation to the rule of

law, education, nancial systems, health care, administration

and socio-economic development) and offer a viable

alternative to secular democracies which neglect the spiritual

dimension there is no reason to believe that the Muslim world

will not ourish and emerge as a powerful force in a multipolar

world.

It is therefore, important for Islamic leaders, thinkers and

NGO activists in progressive Muslim countries to engineer

the right mechanism to ensure greater democratization in the

Muslim world. This can be an effective approach to the serious

problems and malaise aficting the global community today.

ChairmanAhmad Azam Abdul Rahman

advisorsAb. Halim IsmailHaris A. Hamid

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Redzuan OthmanAssoc. Prof. Shaharuddin Badaruddin

Ed i t o r i a l

B o a rd

Merging the

Islamic model with

democracy has

been the dream

of reformists the

world over. Muslim

leaders, however,

have not been

able to offer to

the ummah a long

term, viable and

acceptable model of

good governance.

EditorsGhazali YasinWan Azizah Yusof Halimi Abdul HamidRaja Nurul BalqisZakaria Abdullah

PhotograPhErMohd. Aziz Abdul Manas

Prime Minister, Republic of Turkey

- H.E Recep Tayyip Erdogan



One decade into the new millennium, the world

marches on in its stride -- towards even greater

chaos and uncertainty. The turbulence is more to be

felt amongst the Islamic nations which are engulfed in

the backwaters of modernity. Nowhere else is the lack

of democratic values and warped sense of justice more

evident than in the Islamic world. The lack of wisdom,

empathy and a culture that is at variance with the

principles of good governance have stied the progressof the Islamic nations. The impact of modernity on these

nations has paradoxically led them away from modern

civilization. The only exceptions are Turkey, Indonesia

and Malaysia. The foremost challenge facing the Muslim

world is the inability of the leaders to steer clear of

Western inuence and dominance, as reected in the

leadership of most Muslim nations elsewhere in the world.

The removal of the shackles and fetters of foreign inuence

can only be made possible through revolutionarychanges in the areas of governance, justice, democracy,

rule of law, education, socio-economic development,

and human capital. Such changes will certainly provide

underdeveloped Muslim nations with the right stimulus

for change that will enable them to be ultimately

transformed from their present state of backwardness

into progressive, modern polities that are able to move

forward on their own momentum, strength and identity,

and stand tall alongside the more developed countries

of the globalizing world.

Fom Cairman’s Desk

It is against this backdrop that the esteemed leaders

and participants will gather to discuss and deliberate

on solutions to intricate issues and problems affecting

the Islamic world. The forthcoming UNIW General

Council Meeting and Conference on ‘Good Governance

in the Islamic World’ can denitely be expected to

engender right consciousness – and generate the kind

of impetus for change that will hopefully be translated

into concrete plans for action in the form of intellectualactivities involving all strata of society in the respective

countries represented here in Malaysia.

We expect the honorable friends who will be gathering

in Malaysia on 22- 23 May to carry out advocacy role in

their respective countries, and lead their people whom

they represent here, through a wave of enlightened

reform that will transmute the noble ideas and ideals

into reality.

The initiative behind this endeavor reects the truth

and validity of the Qur’anic verse which declares in no

uncertain terms that “verily, never will God change the

condition of a people until they change it themselves”

(surah Ar-ra’d 13: 11).



The African Da’wah Conference In Khartoum

Ahmad Azam Abdul Rahman (pic)a member of the Board of Trustees

of Munazzamat Da’wah of Sudan, was invited to participate in

the African Da’wah Conference that was held in Khartoum, Sudan from

10 – 11 February 2010. Munazzamat Da’wah is one of the prominent

NGOs in Sudan, led by the former Field Marshall (Ret) Abdul Rahman

Suar Dahab (former President of Sudan).

Some 60 participants

attended the conference

to discuss issues and

problems as well as

to adopt the right approaches and strategies in the planning and

implementation of Da’wah activities in the African continent as a

whole.

Abon’go Malik Obama (step brother of President Barack Hussein

Obama) was one of the participants representing Kenya. He expressed

his gratitude towards Allah the Almighty for giving him the opportunity

to be a Muslim. According to Abon’go, his grandfather belonged to one

of the earliest generations of Muslims in Kenya.

Educational Mission To Turkey

Ahmad Azam & Har is Hamid ( r ight ) f r om Malay sia

Ahmad Azam Abdul Rahman led a 34 member

mission to Turkey from 28 May to 8 June 2009.

The members comprised representatives from various

Malaysian NGOs such as Future Global Network

Foundation (FGN), Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement

(ABIM), Wadah Pencerdasan Umat Malaysia (Wadah),

Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM),

Global Peace Mission Malaysia, Yayasan Takmir

Pendidikan, and Yayasan Islam Hadhari.

The expedition was held in conjunction with the General

Meeting of the Union of the NGOs of the Islamic World



(UNIW), as well as the International Symposium on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi organized

by the Hyrat Foundation in Turkey.

Members of the mission were also invited to attend the observance of the 556 year

Anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople from the Roman Empire by Sultan

Muhammad Al-Fatih on 29 May 1453. On that triumphant day the Sultan, who was

only 21 years old was able to fulll the 800 years prophesy of the Holy Prophet (peace

by upon him): “Verily you shall conquer Constantinople. What a wonderful leader and his army they would be.”

Sultan Muhammad Al-Fateh who ruled the Ottomen Empire for 30 years, died at the age

of 51 in 886 Hijra (May 1482).

A 10-day tour of various historical sites which includes among others, the tomb of

Sultan Muhammad Al-Fatih, the Blue Mosque, Al-Fatih Mosque, Eyub Sultan Mosque, Miniaturk, Panorama Museum,

Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, the Quranic printing factory in Isparta and the tomb of Jalaluddin Ar-Rumi in Konya was

organised with the help of Hayrat Foundation.

International Symposium On Palestine

Ahmad Azam Abdul Rahman (pic), Chairman, Future Global

Network Foundation presented a paper entitled “The Palestinian

Crisis: The Role of Civil Society in Strengthening Multipolarism” at a

two-day International Symposium on Palestine, held at Hotel Grand

Cevahir, Istanbul from 30 - 31 May 2009.

In his speech, Ahmad Azam [who was also the former Presidentof the Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement (ABIM)] reiterated the

importance for Muslim ummah to be courageous in carrying

out internal as well as external reform. In this regard, he cited

the exemplary example of Sultan Muhammad Al-Fateh who

spearheaded the struggle to capture the city of Constantinople from

the Byzantine Empire. Making a comparison to the present day Palestine-

Israeli conict, Ahmad Azam reiterated that without similar reform, the Muslims will not be able to achieve victory.

He also criticized the individualistic attitude and the extreme nationalism that caused the defeat of Ottoman Empire

in 1924.

Ahmad Azam expressed disappointment that the

Arab League viewed the Palestinian conict as an

exclusive concern of the Arab World. He said that the

regionalization of the Palestinian problem “will create

more trouble than it will solve”.

Ahmad Azam also said that the UNIW exuded a

warm feeling of Islamic brotherhood unlike the OIC

which was “cold in nature”. The OIC failed to adopt

a rational and sincere attitude towards the Muslimproblems for one obvious reason: some of the

Sultan Muhammad Al-Fateh



member countries are always embarrassed when dealing with sensitive issues to

close ties with the centres of power in West.

He also expressed the need for Muslims to carve a niche for themselves in an

emergent multipolar world. The emergence of a multipolar world has been

helped by the rise of countries like Russia, China, India, Venezuela and Brazil

which are challenging the imperialistic ambitions of the US to emerge as the sole

world superpower.

The Muslims must be prepared to take advantage of the current trend towards

multi-polarisation, by adopting a three-pronged approach:-

• Become actively involved in international affairs, have grasp of world

affairs, and understand current trends in various elds mainly politics,

economic and technology.

• Emerge as a new bloc that is able to fully harness its economic and

political potentials and strengths, and to thereby strengthen Muslimunity.

• Revive and strengthen the bonds of Muslim brotherhood.

The symposium that was attended by more than 2000 participants from different parts of the world, was considered

one of the most successful gatherings in recent times. Ahmad Azam concluded his address by expressing the hope

that UNIW would one day become a strong umbrella organization that will draw the world community of Muslims

together in unity and solidarity.

The emergence of

a multipolar world

has been helped by

the rise of countries

like Russia, China,

India, Venezuela

and Brazil which

are challenging

the imperialistic

ambitions of the

US to emerge as

the sole world

superpower.



International Symposium On Bediuzzaman Said Nursi

T he Hayrat Foundation (a prominent NGO based in

Turkey) organized an International Symposium on

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi that was held in Istanbul, Turkey

from 6 - 7 June 2009. The theme of the Symposium was

The ‘Risalah-i-Nur’ Educational System.

The Symposium was held as a tribute to Badiozzaman

Said Nursi, the great Islamic thinker (also a su) who

fought in valiantly for Islam from being uprooted in

Turkey during the reign of the government of the day.

He refused to support and cooperate in propagating

secularism in place of Islam.

The meeting was attended by more than 500 participants,

of whom 34 were Malaysians. The participants from

Malaysia were members of the educational mission to

Turkey. Bro. Ahmad Azam who headed the mission

was invited to address the Symposium. In his speech he

mentioned that the teaching of Badiozaman as contained

in Risalah-i-Nur is an important model for religious

revival of the ummah. The struggle in preserving the

deen of Islam in the midst of extreme secularism that was

forced upon the Turkish people by the government of the

day has produced a very important reference (argument)

on the strength of Islam.

Two Malaysians were among the paper presenters at

the Symposium. Dr. Fadhullah Jamil, a history lecturer

from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang [representing a

Malaysian NGO, Society for the Enlightenment of the

Ummah (WADAH)] presented a paper on “The Inuence

of Badiuzzaman’s Thoughts and Missionary (dakwah)

Work on the Youth in Malaysia”. Dr. Farid Shahran,

the Deputy Dean of the Islamic Revealed Knowledge

and Human Sciences, International Islamic University

Malaysia (IIUM) - who is also the Deputy President of

the Malaysian Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM)

delivered a paper entitled “The Educational Philosophy

of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi: Lesson for Malaysians”.

Said Nursi (pic) wrote the

famous Risalah-i Nur during

the 8 years (1926-1934) in ex

ile. His writing demonstrates

the Quran’s superiority in

every respect, in refutation

of the materialistic Western

philosophy. The exposition

was an attempt to place

Islam at the centre of

all knowledge, and to

combine the various

branches of human

knowledge as a unied

manifestation of the

divine. Ust az Badiuzzaman Said Nur si ( 1877 - 1960)



Motivational Course for Blue-t CoMpany staff, J anda B aik, p ahang – 20 feBruary 2010

islaMiC leadership training prograM for international islaMiC university students, sponsored By idB, goMBak, selangor – 15 feBruary 2010

Training Programs Conducted By Fgn, 2009 - 2010



leadership Course for leMBah keraMat priMary sChool teaChers sg tua , selayang

– 17 oCtoBer 2010

training & Motivational

B asiC training for young f asilitators, J anda B aik, 5 – 7 feBruary 2010



Training Program For Young Muslim Facilitators

F GN managed to obtain the required

funding from the Lembaga Zakat

sel (The Council of Zakat of Selangor )

to organize two series of courses aimed at

creating good facilitators out of student

leaders. Some 78 participants were drawnfrom universities and colleges from the state

of Selangor alone.

The training for the rst group of 48

participants was held from 11 – 12 December

2009 at Selayang, Selangor. The second group

of 30 participants received their training from

5 – 7 February 2010 at PTC Camp in Janda

Baik, Pahang.

Activists need the right knowledge and skills in

order to become effective facilitators. Facilitators with the right acumen are able to nd solutions and

problems affecting the adolescent group.

In the context of the modernization, where human development is not balanced with physical development,

the situation creates complex problems, especially for children entering adulthood. They are normally

easily carried away by unhealthy activities associated with drug addiction, violence and vices that are

diametrically opposed to traditional values and the teachings of Islam. For that

matter, they are easily inuenced by

illusions of grandeur and the ‘goodlife’ highlighted in the cine media

as well as internet.

Bearing in mind that these youths

are the future leaders in their right,

a few talented youths have been

trained as facilitators. These youths

will be made to undergo a course

that will enable them to become

effective trainers.

Therefore, the time has come for

Da’wah activities to be systematically

carried out to deal with the problem

squarely in line with the teachings of

Islam.

Apart from the above program, FGN was also involved in counducting a number of other motivational and

leadership training programs for various groups.

Group Presen ta tion

Gr oup Pr esent at ion



Ahmad Azam Abdul Rahman Re-electedCouncil Member Of Uniw For 2nd Term

Ahmad Azam was re-elected as council member of the UNIW

for the second term. Bro. Necmi Sadikoglu and Dr. Ali Kurt

retained their posts as Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-

General respectively, whereas Mubarak al-Mutawwa was re-elected

Assistant Secretary-General.

A number of resolutions were adopted, based on the annual report

of the Union’s programmes and activities. These resolutions will

assist in setting the future direction of the movement.

The meeting approved membership applications from a number NGOs from different parts of the world. The

current number of NGOs afliated to UNIW stands at 165.

Ahmad Azam in his speech emphasized the importance for UNIW to expand its membership base. NGOs from Afro-

Asian countries would join the union, and make it truly representative of the larger Islamic world.

As for nancing the activities of the member countries Ahmad Azam drove home the point that every member

should be able to conduct its own programmes and activities independently and should not rely upon patronage from

the headquarters. This will ensure that each project will be implemented effectively with less bureaucracy. Leaders

were advised to be more creative in collaborating, networking and sharing their resources with their counterparts in

different parts of the world. The culture of soliciting funds for activities from the mother organization should be a thing

of the past.

UNIW C ouncil Member s



Talk On The Situation In Sri Lanka After The War

T he Honourable Mr. Mohammed

Mustafa, Deputy Minister of Higher

Education, Sri Lanka, was in Kuala

Lumpur for a conference last June 2009.

He was invited by FGN to give a talk

on the present situation in Sri Lanka

after the end of the 27 years brutal

civil war that had resulted in deaths

of thousands of soldiers from both

sides. The war fatalities had affected

thousands of innocent civilians with

over a million being driven away

from their homes.

Mohammed Mustafa was hoping thatthe victorious Sinhalese-controlled

government will focus on rebuilding

the nation and ensure that leaders in power will place national unity and solidarity as the

utmost priority by implementing policies that will make every ethnic group feel secured with neither one

being sidelined nor neglected as second class citizens.

The function was attended by some 40 individuals comprising intellectuals, NGO activities and Sri Lankan

nationals living in the Klang Valley.

International Criminal Court (Icc) Rules Out Case Against Sudan’sPresident

ICC judges have ruled that there was insufcient evidence to

support the charges of ‘genocide’ against Sudan President

Omar Al-Bashir (pic).

The charges brought forward by a controversial prosecutor was

under much criticism from the Muslim world and was severely

condemned as a biased attempt by the ICC to accuse a Muslim

leader while Western leaders known for their war crimes were let

free.

Prosecutors from the ICC had earlier this year issued an arrest

warrant for Mr al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes

against humanity. Mr Bashir braved the odds when he ew out of his

country to Qatar to attend the Arab League Annual General Meeting

where the ICC was severely condemned for its biased methods.

Mohammed Must af a addr essing t he audience

President Omar Al-Bashir



A Word Of Appreciation To Yayasan Taqwa, Majlis Agama Islam NegeriPulau Pinang & Lembaga Zakat Selangor

F GN wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude towards Yayasan Taqwa Wilayah Persekutuan ( The Taqwa

Foundation of the Federal Territory ), Pusat Urus Zakat-Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang

(Zakat Collection Center-Penang State Religious Council ) and Lembaga Zakat Selangor (Council of Zakat

of Selangor ) for their continued sponsorship of religious education and Da’wah activities amongst the

Rohingya communities in both the Klang Valley and also the State of Penang.

The Sudanese President has dismissed all the

allegations made by the ICC, saying he had only

instructed state soldiers to ght rebels who took up

arms in Darfur in 2003.

International Criminal Court prosecutors in the

Hague have appealed against the decision not

to indict Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir forgenocide. It is hoped that the appeal will fail and

this is because the ICC has proven its one sided

policy of attacking leaders of non-Western nations

for crimes.

The ICC refuses so far to indict people like George

W. Bush and Tony Blair, the two former leaders

of the United States and Britain respectively.

Both leaders gave orders to launch illegal wars

against Iraq and Muslims across the world and are

responsible for torturing their opponents misleading

their own people, and subverting the legal systems

before launching illegal wars. They stand accused

of genocide by the public in general for their role

in the deaths of millions of Iraqis, Afghanis andPakistanis in thei violent war on terror.

African leaders have refused to assist in an ICC

request to arrest Mr al-Bashir, saying that their plea

to the United Nations Security Council to delay his

indictment had been ignored, so they would not

assist in efforts to detain him.



International Seminar On ‘Good Governance In The Islamic World’In Conjunction With Uniw 4th General Council Meeting

Ihe newly elected council of UNIW has chosen Malaysia to be the

venue of the 4th Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held

on 22 May 2010 at Equatorial Hotel in Bangi, Selangor. The meeting

will be attended by approximately 50 UNIW members (comprisingNGO leaders from Turkey and other parts of the world). Bro. Ahmad

Azam, who is one of UNIW council members, has assembled an

organizing team (comprising leaders and representatives of the 7

Malaysian NGOs that are afliated to UNIW) to ensure the smooth

organization of the Council Meeting.

In conjunction with the council meeting, UNIW, with the cooperation

Selangor State Government and Wadah Pencerdasan Umat Malaysia

(WADAH), will organize a one-day seminar on Good Governance

in the Islamic World (UNIW). The conference will also be held at

Equatorial Hotel on 23 May 2010 (one day after the UNIW General

Council Meeting).

The objectives of the seminar are as follows:

• To imbibe an understanding of the concept of good governance

as a universal ideal advocated by the United Nations;

• To promote awareness of the principles of good governance in Islamic philosophy and history;

• To analyse the nature and practice of administration and governance in contemporary Muslim

societies;

• To seek to reform administrative malpractices prevalent in many parts of the Muslim world.

The Right Honorable Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the Selangor Chief Minister will ofciate the

seminar.

Among prominent leaders invited to address the seminar will be The Honorable Anwar

Ibrahim (former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and currently Opposition Leader of

Malaysia) who will deliver a keynote address themed “Good Governance in the Muslim

World : An Appraisal”.

The Seminar will be drawing active participation of some 300 participants from within and

outside the country comprising largely scholars and students, politicians and diplomats,

as well as civil servants and opinion leaders in general from more than 15

countries.

Bro. Ahmad Azam,

who is one of UNIW

council members,has assembled an

organizing team

(comprising leaders

and representatives of

the 7 Malaysian NGOs

that are affiliated to

UNIW) to ensure thesmooth organization

of the Council

Meeting.



F GN leadership requires its staff and volunteer groups to always demonstrate good values whendischarging their duties and responsibilities. The 5 point values that constitute the belief system and

work culture of our organization are summarized as follows:-

‘Intellectualism’

we believe that the power of knowledge and intellect are the main basis for the owering of a new andprogressive civilization.

‘Spiritualism’we believe the relationship between man and the creator, that is Allah s.w.t, must be strengthened to ensurethat we are always guided in doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.

‘ Activism’we believe in being pro-active, resourceful (problem-solving) and action oriented.

‘Ummatism’we believe the ummah must be the best among mankind; therefore we should strive hard to strengthen thepillars of a strong and progressive society.

‘Globalism’we believe that we have to serve mankind by empowering members of human family with universal valuesthat contribute towards global peace and justice.

With limited resources and manpower we are grateful to Allah s.w.t. that we were able to implementsomething signicant since the inception of FGN two years ago. We hope to rise to a new horizon in 2009so that the continuing success will give us the much needed power to strive forward in meeting the desired

goals.

The Five Core Values Of Fgn

FUTURE GLOBAL NETW ORK FOUNDATION Aras 1, Blok Persidangan Alaf anda Kompleks An jung Rahmat Batu 6, Jalan Gombak 53100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel : +603-6187 7020 Fax : +603-6186 6020 Email : [email protected]

www.f utureglobalnetwork.com



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