On 15th September, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened an emergency meeting in Doha, Qatar, in response to the Israeli attack of 9th September 2025. The attack was strongly condemned. Israel’s aggression and violations of international laws are nothing new; the decades of ongoing oppression and bloodshed in Palestine are living proof of this. Israel has left no stone unturned in violating human rights — whether women, children, or the elderly, no one has been safe from its brutality.
In this meeting, the OIC also passed a resolution against Israel, denouncing its blatant violation of international laws. The resolution reaffirmed solidarity with Qatar and the Palestinian people, and rejected Israel’s attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians.
In light of these recent events, it is necessary for the Muslim Ummah to reflect upon itself. It is troubling to think that despite the existence of some of the world’s richest Muslim nations, the Muslims have no effective voice. Across the globe, Muslims are subjected to oppression and criticism — be it in Palestine, Kashmir, or Myanmar. If injustice is not stopped at its beginning, it only grows — and that is exactly what has happened in Palestine for decades. Israel now behaves like an unchecked beast, capable of striking anyone, anytime, anywhere — as shown by the attack on Doha, Qatar, on 9th September. This is a wake-up call for Arab leaders, a test to distinguish between friend and foe.
This emergency meeting was held at Qatar’s request following the 9th September attack. Yet, the crucial question remains: Can such an emergency session bring any real change to the condition of Muslims today?
The dire state Muslims currently face is undoubtedly the responsibility of their own leaders. Despite immense wealth, Arab nations are unable to provide real guidance because their personal interests outweigh their concern for the Muslim Ummah. The oppression Muslims endure has even forced institutions like the United Nations to acknowledge — even if only to maintain their credibility — the suffering of the oppressed. Every sensitive Muslim who feels pain for the Ummah now lives with uncertainty, anxiety, and despair. They see no trustworthy leader who can inspire hope for a better future.
Reports suggest that before the attack on Doha, Israel had already taken the U.S. into confidence. This raises a pressing question: Why did the Trump administration not warn Qatar? And why did none of the Arab states — the same ones who signed trillion-dollar deals during Trump’s recent visits — receive any information? Did these Muslim nations even ask the U.S. about it? Qatar, which even presented Trump with a luxury jet, do they have the courage to question him: Why weren’t we informed about the attack? “Even if it was given, are they satisfied with Trump’s response?”
It is also true that such conditions are not new for Muslims. History tells us that after the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate, Baghdad too endured dire and hopeless circumstances. Today, Muslims face numerous challenges. For the past two centuries, the West has dominated thought, belief, culture, politics, economy, and society. We must accept that we now live in a world fundamentally shaped by the West — in politics, economics, philosophy, social values, and international law. This is why Muslims struggle to reclaim their rightful place.
Returning to the Doha meeting: participating nations delivered strong statements, many words of condemnation, and proposals for possible actions. Yet, there was no real unity or clear joint strategy. Differences surfaced, and no one issued a hard-hitting statement against Israel. Those nations maintaining diplomatic ties with Israel did not even suggest breaking them.
Whenever such incidents occur, Muslim leaders react emotionally, making grand declarations and showing sympathy. But these are short-lived reactions that do not change realities. Muslim nations avoid taking tough measures, and thus no joint strategy emerges. While the voices of Muslims and Muslim nations echo across the world, real change will only come when Muslim leaders unite, set aside self-interest, and think for the Ummah.
The shameful silence of Muslim leaders on many issues forces ordinary Muslims to wonder: Are these leaders truly capable of leading us out of this crisis?
The question is: How can the Muslim Ummah find hope and face these difficult times?
Muslims must abandon emotional, reactionary policies and instead take practical, rational steps. There must be a truthful, thorough analysis of past injustices. The urgent need of the hour is for all Muslim nations to unite, discard self-interest, and exert joint pressure on international platforms such as the United Nations, Human Rights Council, and other global institutions. Muslim countries need stronger diplomatic ties among themselves and must be ready to support each other in times of crisis.
The majority of Muslims are falling into inferiority complexes and despair. Raising them up and showing them light for the future is vital. Muslims must also address their internal weaknesses: sectarianism, intolerance, and ideological infighting — these are the cancers weakening society from within.
At every level, Muslims must reshape their actions in line with Islam, and revive the spirit of great leaders like Tariq ibn Ziyad and Salahuddin Ayyubi.
Muslims today need a leader who stands firmly on the truth, who does not bow before tyranny.
We must all pray together that Allah SWT unites the Muslims and grants them the honor for which they were sent into this world. Ameen.
But the question remains: Is it possible in this age for such a leader to rise — one who can awaken the Muslim nation and set it back on the right path?
What do you think? Reflect upon it.
“Waan Laysa Lil
Insana illa ma’ sa’aa “
That man can have nothing but what he strives for.
