LETTERS: Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, in his address at the Kuala Lumpur Summit 2019, viewed trade tensions as an opportunity for Muslim countries to empower their economies.
He cited an example of how Muslim economies benefited from tourism when Arab tourists no longer went to Western countries for holidays.
While many economists are forecasting a gloomy outlook for the global economy next year, it is interesting that the mufti from the smallest state sees this threat in a positive manner.
However, the main challenge is to make sure that we are taking the right move at the right time.
The slowdown of the global economy is influenced by uncertainty from the trade tensions between China and the United States, which also weakens global demand.
The rise of China as an economic power is seen by some quarters as a threat to the US position as the world economic leader.
While some smaller countries have taken sides, others are weighing their options to not disrupt their trade.
However, Muslim countries should not gamble their interests and waste their resources by taking sides in such a risky situation.
Instead, they should promote economic cooperation and fair trade.
The 57 members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) collectively contribute a real gross domestic product (GDP) of US$22 trillion, or 17.5 per cent, of world GDP this year.
If OIC remains neutral and taps its potential in economic strength, Muslim countries could become a powerful trade bloc.
The leading members of OIC must realise that the old leadership style is no longer effective.
Oil embargo threats are no longer credible and money diplomacy is not sustainable in the long run.
The spread of information has empowered the masses.
For instance, Qatar shook the geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East through its flagship media, Al Jazeera.
Muslim countries must put their ideological differences aside and start treating each other with respect.
In this regard, the Trans-Pacific Partnership model can be used as a baseline to develop international trade institutions that promote fair competition among members while allowing room for adjustments.
Most importantly, members must be treated equally to promote cooperation and avoid trust deficit. Justice requires all members to be given equal opportunity to compete.
This is a chance for Muslim countries to show the world how Islam emphasises fairness and high moral standards in trade practices.
DR MUHAMMAD IRWAN ARIFFIN
Centre for Islamic Economics, International Islamic University Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times