United We Stand: Why Islam’s Division Benefits Outsiders

 

United We Stand: Why Islam’s Division Benefits Outsiders

"Symbolic image of Muslim unity fractured, with outsiders controlling the cracks."


Have you ever wondered why nearly two billion Muslims remain politically, economically, and strategically weak? In my view, the answer is clear: fragmentation. Not just internal—school of thought, ethnicity, ideology—but how this fragmentation is systematically exploited by external powers. Here's my neutral and analytical take on how this happens and its implications.

1. A Historic Pattern of Fragmentation

Division in Islam is not new. Since the early split—Ali vs Muawiyah—to the Abbasid, Umayyad, and Fatimid Caliphates splitting (Kennedy, The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates, 2004). These moments paved the way for foreign domination. Today’s fractures mirror that: when Muslims divide, duplication of power emerges, and external forces gain footing.

2. Divide and Rule Strategy

Western powers have long used ‘divide and rule’—Britain exploited Sunni–Shia in Iraq, others did so in North Africa. After colonialism, the strategy continues via selective military aid, intelligence cooperation, and investments tied to donor interests (Acemoglu & Robinson, Why Nations Fail, 2012). I think many Muslims see these conflicts as local, not realizing they're playing into external designs.

3. Real Cases: Iraq, Syria, Yemen

In Iran-Iraq, Western influence thrived on sectarian conflict (Cockburn, The Great Salafi Insurrection, 2016). Syria drew in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the US, Russia. In Yemen, the civil war fragmented local strength to secure maritime routes. I see these as geopolitical ploys, not just “failed diplomacy.”

4. Economic & Geopolitical Gain for Outsiders

Fragmentation gives foreign powers cheap and low-risk access to vital resources—oil, gas, strategic routes. Libya’s split allowed foreign control over energy fields and infrastructure (Dernberger, Energy and Geopolitics in Post-Qaddafi Libya, 2015). I believe each regional conflict masks economic motives.

5. Emotional vs Strategic Narratives

Often, Muslims react emotionally—"Maybe we’re attacked because we’re Muslim"—without deeper geopolitical analysis. This allows governments to legitimize foreign alliances under the guise of survival, instead of serving national or religious interests.

6. Cultural & Ideological Penetration

Division opens doors for foreign ideologies—consumerist capitalism, extreme liberalism, secularism—to penetrate education and media. It dilutes Muslim identity from roots. I think this is part of the modern psychological warfare—undermining identity is easier than bombs.

7. Alternative: Economic and Policy Unity

If division is productive for outsiders, unity could be our resistance. Through Islamic economic union, a stronger OIC, and academic networks, Muslims could pool 2 billion minds and resources. But trust deficit, Western-aligned elites, and national fears remain obstacles.

8. Internal Barriers

Unity isn’t immediate. Historical conflicts—Persian vs Arab, Turk vs Kurd, Sunni vs Shia—carry tension. Ideological gridlock and economic competition make it harder. I believe unity begins at grassroots: academia, youth, business—not government fiat.

9. A Neutral Observation

I see that fragmentation helps outsiders, but solving it depends on Muslims themselves. Without geopolitical awareness—who’s benefiting—is unity wishful thinking. Not anti-West, but realistic.

10. A Pragmatic Hope

Initiatives like a Muslim ASEAN, Islamic trade hubs, and research networks exist. If taken seriously, they could evolve into global coalitions, and Western powers may see them as partners, not threats. It’s a potential game changer.

Conclusion

"United We Stand" isn’t just moral—it’s strategic. No foreign power needs to invade a fractured land—they’ll dominate silently. I believe Muslims can rise if we understand these patterns—from history to modern strategy. I hope this article encourages critical action, not just debate.

Lokasi: GW4G+G7 Messengerville, NY, Amerika Serikat

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