The World as it is; Faith, Politics, and our Need to Give

The World as it is; Faith, Politics, and our Need to Give

Two weeks ago an article in this paper suggested that Muslim countries should leave the United Nations. Brilliant! Arab, Muslim and non aligned voices actually have some influence in the United Nations— at least in the General Assembly the many and the poor do have a voice on a variety of issues. Yes, there are many concerns about UN corruption, but most complaints are political. So you say that we Muslims should leave, to do our own thing? Among others, Israel would really love that!

Israel’s former ambassador Dore Gold has written a book entitled, “Tower of Babble; How the UN Has Fueled Global Chaos.” Israelis note that there are 56 Muslim countries and only one Jewish state, of course also supported by the US and sometimes its puppet pacific island nations. Still, there are only 23 Israeli employees out of 2,000; and there are 3 special committees that are critical if not antagonistic towards Israel; the Division of Palestinian Rights; Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinians; and the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices. Some of this bureaucracy is no doubt wasteful political posturing and should be reduced. Of course the UNRWA refugee assistance to Palestine must continue. So, even looking at the issue of Israel-Palestine, why would Muslims leave the UN?

The US Right Wing is well known for its antipathy to the UN and to international law. Neo-conservatives (including some influential Muslims) hide their real agendas behind fear rhetoric invoking the dangers of world government. Yet it is these politicians that stand behind the worst of the civil liberties restrictions at home and abroad. And as for the Christian right—are they even Christian?

In an important article in this month’s Harpers magazine, writer Bill McKibben writes of “how a faithful nation gets Jesus wrong.” He observes the tragic irony that a nation that is overwhelmingly Christian does not follow Jesus in his example of radical self sacrifice and caring for the poor, adding; “In 2004, as a share of our economy, we ranked second to last, after Italy, among developed countries in government foreign aid. Per capita we each provide 15 cents a day in development assistance to poor countries. And it’s not because we are giving to private charities for relief work instead. Such funding increases our daily donation…to 21 cents. (Also) despite the sixth commandment, we are of course the most violent rich nation on earth, with a murder rate four or five that of our European peers. We have prison populations greater by a factor of six or seven…”

It is clear that instead of following Jesus, the neo-Christian sects have been absorbed in some monstrous capitalist, consumer-oriented ethic in pursuit of power. Let us show them a better example! Like Muslims, other faith groups face ideological challenges from extremists within. For the religious right of every faith, the dream of happy world domination replaces the reality of working for unity step by step. Dream peddlers sell us a pyramid scheme to benefit modern day pharaohs. Though very imperfect, the UN is a place for such daily work, not a utopian dream of domination. Recognizing this, we Muslims need to use this resource more wisely, and not give up! And the US needs to take its international responsibilities more seriously—and pay its UN bills!

Senate Democrats have for several months blocked the appointment of neo conservative John Bolton to represent the US at the United Nations. They were alarmed by his history of intimidation tactics against intelligence analysts, his lack of diplomatic skills as well as extreme negativity towards the UN. However last weekend they expected that the White House would take advantage of the Congressional recess to appoint him-- without a vote.

However, it also came to light that, among other failings, Mr. Bolton had failed to tell lawmakers that he had even been interviewed as part of a State Department-CIA joint investigation on intelligence lapses relating to the Bush administration's false claim that Iraq tried to buy uranium from Niger. With his unsavory reputation, and his lack of accountability, is this the man to trust with international relations?

Meanwhile, the people of Niger are facing starvation; and last weekend the first cargo plane of UN food arrived in Niamey, capital of Niger, carrying 44 tons of vitamin-fortified biscuits from Italy, with storage tents and generators following. The UN World Food Program and UNDP provide life-saving emergency services to millions every year. I ask again--is it not better to reform the UN than to leave it?

Of course Muslims should also give generously to charities of our own to supplement (even in a small way) the donations of the nations. ICNA Relief’s website (www.reliefonline.org) reminds us that “At least 2.5 million people in the three countries need food aid and like Niger they were hit by drought and a plague of locusts last year… Hunger also threatens three other countries in the region - Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.” We are very fortunate not to be facing this scale of crisis in our daily lives; insha’Allah you and I will not wait till Ramadan to give. As Muslims we need to respond now: “…On them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve (2:274).” Brother, sister, what are we waiting for?