Syrian crisis: US blamed for plotting to grab resources
Experts call for acquiring modern knowledge to meet sectarian, other challenges.
Syrian conflict is not about rivalry among people from different sects, but a continuity of US design to cripple Muslim countries, says Dr Sadollah Zare. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
Academics, researchers and diplomats at a roundtable discussion expressed their concern over the Syrian crisis and blamed the imperialist powers for plotting to divide Muslim states and grabbing their resources.
The event was organised by an Islamabad-based think-tank, Muslim Institute, on “The current situation in Middle East and fears of sectarian polarization in Muslim world” on Thursday said a press release.
“Conflict in Syria is not about rivalry among people from different sects or religions, but a continuity of American and western hegemonic designs to cripple the Muslim countries politically and economically,” Dr Sadollah Zarei from Tabatabaei University, Iran and Director of the Thought Makers Study Centre said.
“They are trying to occupy resources of the Muslim world,” he added.
He urged the academics and intellectuals to confront the prevailing challenges jointly to get internationally acknowledged as a united political entity.
During the discussion, Muslim Institute chairman, Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali, said that the internal and external challenges faced by the Middle East cannot be solved quickly as every regional player has its stakes in it.
“The solution lies in research, foresight and prudence, not in emotionalism, irrationality and intolerance,” he said.
Former Ambassador Amir Anwar Shadani, however, cautioned against the dangers of a deadly war looming large on the Middle East.
“The Middle has remained divided after the cold war with one side having friendly ties with America and soft approach towards Israel while the other side having ties with countries opposed to both.”
He added that apart from the old rifts, the sectarian dimension has escalated the situation and it has become so intense that even the Sunni Hamas seems to be moving away from the Iranian camp indicated by the shifting of its central office from Damascus to Doha.
“Though the current situation in Syria is alarming but newly elected Iranian President’s indications of improving ties with Saudi Arabia is a positive omen,” he said.
Islamabad Strategic Studies Institute Chairman, former ambassador Gul Hanif, in his concluding remarks stated sectarianism has always been used to weaken Muslims and it is the need of the hour to discourage such forces and their toadies. “It is imperative to formulate collective and consensual strategy to counter these plots,” he said
The discussion was attended by academics, researchers, defence analysts, students of different universities and research associates of think-tanks.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2013.