Description:
In a 2020 conference held on Zoom and published on YouTube, the late senior Middle East political analyst Anees Naqqash spoke about his 2014 book titled The Levantine Confederation: The Battle of Identities and Policies.
The book proposes that the solution to the chronic problems of the war-ravaged and tumultuous Middle East region lies in the establishment of a confederation that unites the states of the Levant, or what Naqqash often calls the ‘West Asian region’.
Middle East Observer has been gradually publishing English translations of the author’s online talk over several posts. The following is the final part.
To read Part One see here.
To read Part Two see here.
To read Part Three see here.
To read Part Four see here.
Source: Kalam Siyasi YouTube Channel
Date: Aug 26, 2020
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Transcript:
Unfortunately, the great danger (we are facing today) is that, (after) the Emirati normalization (of ties) with the Zionists, if things do go as planned as (the Israelis) wish, you will see (frequent) trains setting of from the Arabian Peninsula to the port of Haifa, and (you will see scores of) aircraft and ships coming and going from the Arabian Peninsula towards occupied Palestine through these countries (on a daily basis). They (Israel and its allies) will establish a regional network conspiring against the unity of our nation, against the freedom of Palestine and against the true Islam of (Prophet) Muhammad. With their money, they (seek to) bypass all of us, while we, in the Levant, (are yet to) be able to build this confederation.
(The) main goals (of this Levantine Confederation) should be: removing Israel (from existence); liberating the region from Western and American hegemony; networking/integrating the economic; social and intellectual capabilities of the region; opening the borders between the (states of the Levant) for investment and cooperation; and reviving the Levantine empire not through national or sectarian hegemony, but through a voluntary decision (by all parties).
(To accomplish these goals), there should be collective action by the scholars of the region to reformulate Islamic political thought and reexamine modern Islamic law. When I say a new (Islamic) law, I do not mean that we should invent a new law, but I am an advocate of common jurisprudence to ensure that no doctrine introduces laws of its own and deviates from other doctrines with fatwas that are not based on joint scientific research. In medicine, doctors conduct joint research – likewise with engineers. All scholars around the world hold joint conferences. However, Muslim scholars have organized (many) conferences to call for Islamic unity, but for 1400 years, they have not been able to come out with a common jurisprudence to revitalize (the Muslim) nation through this noble (Islamic) law and Islamic ideas that must be not only in harmony with the era, but also ahead of it. These (new Islamic) ideas should embrace the current era with mercy. Whether they were read in Istanbul, Cairo, Baghdad, Damascus, Tehran, Washington or Paris, they would triumph over all intellectual minds that might criticize them and propose their own ideas.
This is a new way of thinking; this is a new political logic that we strongly need, especially since we are, with all power…I know that, today, the Axis of Resistance, i.e. the resistance in Lebanon and Palestine in addition to the capabilities in Syria, Iran and elsewhere, is able to defeat the Zionist enemy (Israel) with a battle in which victory is definitely ours. But the question is: how would the Levant look like the first day after this victory? What position will Turkey adopt? What position will Egypt adopt? What position will these states (i.e. current allies of Israel) adopt? How will (the situation) be after the victory? Does anyone doubt that the American exit from the region will occur very soon? Who will fill this void? Who is going to maintain the balance in this region? Who will stop this great fire that is sweeping through the whole region if there isn’t a project greater than Iraq, greater than Syria, greater than Iran, greater than Turkey, greater than Lebanon, a project that benefits everyone and serves their interests. This is the introduction that I wanted to start with. I am eager to hear your opinions and comments to benefit from them. Thank you for listening.
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