There is a question that echoes around the Middle East, and it resonates over every corner of the region and its political affairs, especially where there is conflict.
It is pertinent in Palestine, Sudan, Yemen and Lebanon. But it covers the rest of the map. The frequency at which it is asked – and its enduring relevance – adds to its significance.
Often raised as people follow the international debate for solutions to major problems, it is also deceptively simple:
Where are the Arabs and Muslims?
It is easy to agree that no single political entity adequately represents either group.
There are two primary organisations that should give voice to these two large sets of states and peoples: The Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. But over the years, along with their affiliated bodies, they have become in dire need of radical restructuring.
Overhauls are necessary if either, or both of them, are to achieve a modicum of the effectiveness envisioned in their founding documents.
Their lack of impact can become an easy target. It provides a simple means of explaining away the decline in Arab solidarity and lack of effective support for Gaza, Sudan, and others.
Common interests eroded
That masks the underlying cause – an erosion of common interests among Arab nations – which has made calls for unity in response to major issues a matter of political expediency, rather than a deeper humanitarian matter of solidarity.
The now-modest level of common interest can be seen in the Arab Monetary Fund report for the year 2022.Trade between Arab countries is almost negligible compared to their trade with other countries around the world, both in the East and the West.
If direct material interests do not play a significant role in Arab relations, can the void be filled by shared history, language, religion, culture and tradition?
Such questions over unity among Arabs and Muslims look simple. But there are no straightforward answers.
