BY JEREMY THIMBLE
Countries of the Western Coalition may suddenly awaken to the full ramifications of their recent campaign for more inputs from Muslim countries in the fight against Muslim extremists, currently operating in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Egypt. Loss of many thousands of lives, including women and children, and an overwhelming surge of refugees criss-crossing neighbouring and distant lands for shelter, has taken insurgency to another level.
Besides these fleeing multitudes, extremist Muslim activities have featured here and there, and most recently in the West, at Paris and San Bernardino in America. England has joined in with the US and France carrying out Air Strikes against ISIS in Syria, and although caught in a political wrangle with these countries of the West, over the annexation of Crimea, and attacking Ukraine, Russia shares the aim of the West to prevent the spread of the Islamic State and has launched missiles against ISIS in Syria. The involvement of the wider Muslim world is deemed imperative in order to consolidate the overarching plans of the coalition. Thirty-four such countries have enlisted from Asia, Africa and the Arab world. (Enlisting Nigeria as a Muslim country is controversial, given that approximately 49.3 percent of the 180 million population is Christian, according to a survey by the Pew Research Centre).
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Ten more Muslim countries are reportedly undergoing some procedures before officially joining the group. Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria are not in the coalition. No reasons have been given about these three countries, which like Libya and Egypt are torn by Islamic militants. The Saudi Defence Minister, in announcing the Coalition said, ‘Currently, every Muslim country is fighting terrorism individually…so coordinating efforts is very important’.
A huge coalition is therefore coming to life. Whether or not it’s Muslim, Christian or whatever is not the real concern. It’s a huge block of nations coming together for a shared purpose with the mainly West. Already existing commonalities and ties are likely to tighten. One imagines what the future could hold, during and –hopefully, after ISIS. A chunk of the world in two huge blocks. It is frightening. Hopefully, nothing is fomenting in the secret bowels of the future. Perhaps, the multi- layered relations across the board will be key to moderation. Barak Obama’s active diplomacy and eloquence may not be available at the time. Fingers crossed.
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