comments, criticism and suggestions are strongly encouraged.

write down in detail the problems of “Ummah” in the contemporary world.

“ you are the best nation brought out for mankind, enjoining what is righteous and forbidding from wrong”

Introduction
The word “ummah” stands for the whole muslim community tied together by religion. The muslims are one nation and are tied together in spirit and heart. Muslims in the past were the world leaders, guiding all the other nations, enlightening them. However, today they are entangled in the web of crises in all the sectors of the society, political, social, economic, technological etc.

Challenges facing the muslims in cntemporary world

Political challenges

a) Lack of unity: muslims all over the world are united by the religious ties. It is a divine blessing. Quran says “ hold fast all of you to the rope of ALLAH, and be not divided amongst each other”

However, in recent times, muslims have been divided on the basis of geographical boundaries, ethnicities, linguistics etc. islam does not entertain the division among muslims on the basis of such criterion. Due to the lack of unity, muslims have became an easy prey to the western propaganda. All the former feelings of unity, cohesion, integration amongst the ummah has evaporated.

b) Lack of democratic norms: according to a research conducted, only 7 muslim countries out of 54 are free and 50% countries are termed as “not-free”. This dismal picture is a result of failure of democracy in muslim countries. Islam does not promote such cruel violation of human rights. Most of the muslim countries are governed by monarchs and dictators which have curbed all the civil liberties. According to human rights watch, in saudia Arabia there is a limit on “ free association, free speech”. Likewise in iran, journalists are imprisoned, if they violate the limits defined by the government.

c) Territorial disputes: muslims have been engaged in territorial disputes, which has severely undermined their development in social, economic, technological advancement sectors. Kashmir issue, Palestine, Chechnya conflicts have kept muslims involved in confrontational politics and hindered development of a peaceful society.

d) Ethnic conflicts: most of the muslim countries fight amongst each other on ethnic clashes. Quran says

“ all the muslims are brothers”.

Yet people of different ethnicity ignore the commandments of ALLAH.

According to an arab scholar,

“

ethnic clashes have done more harm to the muslim countries than the toral arab-israel conflict”

e) Governance challenges: no doubt, muslim countries are rich in resources but poor in their management. Muslim countries are present in the most resourceful areas of the world from morocco to Indonesia except india and Israel. They produce 50% of the world oil. In addition around two-third of the world resources are in the control of the muslims. Yet they are dependent on other countries for economic assistance.

Economic challenges

a) Loans: twentieth century was marked by political oppression of muslim countries by the western imperialist nations. nevertheless, towards the end of the century, muslims liberated themselves from the political domination. This, however did not free them in economic terms. Muslim countries remained dependent on non-muslim countries for economic aid in the form of packages, loans etc. according to Islamic development bank, muslim countries have a debt of 616 billion dollars.

b) Capitalism: capitalism is the, most prevalent form of economic system. it promotes economic inequalities and hoarding of wealth in the hands of a few. Communism was introduced in reaction to the ills of capitalism but, it too failed to deliver as it promoted a utopian strategy which was unnatural and artificial. today, most of the muslim countries follow capitalism which is half-baked. This has aggravated the situation and created an atmosphere even worse than in the western countries. The economic disparity in muslim countries is much severe then in the European countries.

Social challenges

a) Sectarinsm: division of muslims into sects has weakened the muslim ummah beyond doubt. In addition to highlighting differences, this division has promoted hostility against opposite sects. Iran-iraq war was an excellent example of such sectarian motivated conflict. Apart from this, the killings of hazara in quetta and shias in Karachi is a demonstration of the severity of the issue.

b) Failure of participation of women : most of the muslim countries do not promote participation of women in matters of collective interests. The absence of the participation of the huge section of the society has hindered the development of the muslim countries along modern lines.

c) Dependency : it is known to all that muslims are dependent on non-muslim economies for economic assistance. However, these assistances are not without a cost. The creditors put forward their terms and conditions and at times even prevent the debtors from pursuing goals of national interest. This has shattered the sense of self respect among the muslim countries.

d) Terrorism: another monstrous issue that has engulfed almost all the muslim countries in its tentacles is terrorism. Individuals and organizations, calling themselves to be muslims perform violent acts and defame the muslim countries. These terrorists have also humiliated the actual “ freedom fighters” in Palestine and Kashmir.

Educational challenges

a) Lack of technology: muslim countries lag behind the well developed western countries due to technological ignorance. This is due to the lack of resources in a few countries and illiteracy in the others. Pakistan, despite being an agricultural country is experiencing food crises. 64% of the population depends on agriculte directly. Yet, the practice of centuries old methods and absence of new machinery has severely affected the food production.

b) Women education: muslim countries do not encourage female education. The illiteracy of a wide section of the society does not allow the ummah to move ahead and compete with the well-educated western world.

critical analysis : muslims in the contemporary world are facing myriad problems. this situation is a result of their political failures, social inabilities and economic mis management. it is imperative for the ummah to take steps in the positive direction.