Israel's sudden attacks on Iran have taken us aback. Its consequences will surely extend far beyond a bilateral conflict between the two states. But the Muslim world keeps mum over the conflict because of its fragile position, diplomatic weakness and moral bankruptcy.
While Israeli aggression in Gaza continues for months, Syrian civilians remain shattered by years of conflict and now bombs fall on various Iranian cities killing civilians, the majority of Muslim governments remain silent spectators. This inaction is not only tragic-it is a testament to the historical political failure of the Muslim world.
A New Phase of Confrontation: The Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear scientists, followed by Tehran's response with over 150 ballistic missiles, have brought the Middle East to the brink of a dangerous full-scale war. Israel claims to have full control over Tehran's airspace and threatens to "burn Tehran to the ground" at any moment. Iran, on the other hand, vows retaliation and issues threats against US and European military bases. This crisis is no longer limited to Israel and Iran-it is a moral and political test for the entire Muslim world. Sadly, the leadership of the Muslim nations is failing this test.
Muslim States' Reactions: Silence, Hypocrisy, and Submission: When a child in Gaza dies suffocating under rubble, we hear little more than token "condolences" from some Muslim states. And when scores of civilians are killed in Tehran, Isfahan, or Kermanshah, the response remains the same-deafening silence. Yet, in international politics, solidarity, diplomatic pressure, and unified positions are crucial tools for resisting aggression.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Turkey-major powers in the Muslim world-are divided, self-serving, and strategic partners of the Western bloc. While some may have verbally condemned Israel's actions, none have transformed this into political pressure or effective diplomacy.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly called Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and condemned the Israeli attack-a gesture that seems more like ticking a box of moral responsibility than taking a firm stand. Meanwhile, the UAE and Bahrain have already normalized diplomatic ties with Israel, making any direct support for Iran unimaginable.
Lack of Unity: A Repetition of History: This disunity is nothing new. The Muslim world's fragmentation and self-destructive diplomacy have persisted for centuries. The 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement (The 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement was a secret pact between Britain and France, with Russian consent, to divide the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire into British and French spheres of influence after World War I) , the 1948 division of Palestine, the 2003 US invasion of Iraq-in each of these critical moments, Muslim states failed to unite against greater threats due to internal discord. Even on the Palestinian issue, there is no single Muslim consensus. Some label Hamas as terrorists, others send humanitarian aid to Gaza-but none have mounted a collective political pressure to hold Israel accountable.
Iran: Isolated Politically, Yet a Symbol of Resistance?
Despite being an Islamic republic, Iran remains politically isolated among many Muslim countries due to the Sunni-Shia divide, Persian-Arab tensions, and its regional ambitions. Yet today, as Israel attacks its heartland, Iran's resistance is becoming a global symbol-even though regrettably, it remains Iran's lone response, not a united front by Muslim nations.
Western Hypocrisy vs. Muslim Leadership's Inaction: If Iran were a Western ally, Israel's strikes would have been labeled "war crimes" at the UN. But in today's global order, human rights, international law, and UN charters apply selectively-mostly to the powerful. That is the tragedy for the Muslim world: despite its vast population, economic strength, and strategic geography, it remains politically insignificant. The US, UK, and France have sided with Israel, even as they condemned Russia for violating international law in Ukraine. Muslim nations should have exposed this double standard and collectively challenged it at global forums-but they did not.
Is the Muslim Ummah Dead? This question is being asked repeatedly: Is the Muslim Ummah a real structure or just a sentimental religious ideal? Is the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) still a functional entity? If Muslims continue to bleed in Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Iran-while Muslim leaders remain mute-then perhaps the Ummah is merely an emotional fantasy. Ordinary Muslims may show empathy, protest, pray, and send aid. But these sentiments are rarely reflected in state policies.
A Path Forward: Unity, Diplomacy, and Alternative Alliances: The Muslim world must urgently rethink how to build a practical and effective alliance. The OIC needs restructuring-not as a statement-issuing body, but as an organization empowered to take action. Countries like Turkey, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Qatar could form an alternative diplomatic and economic bloc-one that takes a united stand against war and aggression.
Time to Wake Up: The Iran-Israel war may not last long. It might end with international mediation or mounting pressure. But the lessons it leaves behind are deep and painful. The Muslim world today stands powerless, disoriented, and morally bankrupt. This weakness is not just external-it stems from our fragmented political vision, absence of unity, and lack of strategic direction.
Now is the time to rise against this disunity, indifference, and suicidal silence-to transform the Muslim Ummah into an active political reality.
The writer is an Assistant Editor, Daily Manab Zamin
