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Bangladesh and the Islamic world

Mamun Rashid
MY professional engagements over the last 25 years have allowed me to either visit or have transactions with almost all the Muslim countries in the world. I had the opportunity to go deep into the relationships with Bangladesh expatriate com munity in each of the Middle East and South East Asian Countries, as well as interact with members of the ruling families and some of the Muslim country diplomats in Bangladesh. However, I am yet to go any where nearer to the expla-
nation of Bangladesh's relationship with the Islamic world - what we could expect from them, how much we could get and what could be the outcome of our best of relationship with the Islamic world?
With almost 150 million Muslims, Bangladesh is one of the three largest Muslim countries. However, wc have not been able to create a strong Impressiori in the Islamic world, especially in the Middle East. We have not been able to establish our credentials in the minds of Middle Eastern policy makers, even though countries like Pakistan enjoy
special attention.
This has become critical for our economy as we have a lot to gain from strengthening our ties with the Middle East and the Islamic world. I will focus on some of the key issues that are vital for developing our relationship with the Islamic world.
The creation of Bangladesh did not please many in the Middle East. However, Bangabandhu very clearly defined our priority as a predominantly Muslim nation and had shown keen interest in integrating Bangladesh into the Islamic world.
The time has come for us to admit that we have failed to create an appropriate image of ourselves. As a result, we succumb to the constant propaganda of not being "proper Muslims" and are always excluded in serious discussion in the Islamic world.
While other countries leveraged their
Muslim identity to get generous economic benefit from the oil rich Middle East, we were left behind. Not only is that true for economic benefits, it is also true for various social and political issues where our national interest has been kept hostage by so called "proper Muslims." This has affected our social and political stability, and it is like a severe wound that will continue to divide us.
To resolve this long-standing issue, we need to think out of the box, and examine some key areas while coming to a final action plan. First, we need to establish our credential as a large, moderate Muslim nation with significant economic prospects, and our strong desire to integrate ourselves with the Islamic world, specially the Middle East. Secondly, we need appropriate analysis of what wc want to achieve from the Islamic world, with adequate prioritisation.
Establishing our credential is a longterm but essential process. We cannot establish our credential or change the perception regarding Bangladesh overnight. But we can initiate the process, which will pay dividend in years to come. For that we can think about a "Special Advisor" to the prime minister regarding Middle Eastern affairs.
He will have to be a well-accepted person, with the ability to destroy the negative perception about Bangladesh and its people. The focus of his effort will be to build a bridge between policy makers of the Middle East and Bangladesh, and bring more understanding of Bangladesh in the Middle Eastern mind.
Analysing and prioritising what we want from the Middle East is important and. at the same time, difficult. There is a clear economic priority where we export a large number of workers to the oil rich region. We need to establish a process that will
enhance this export of blue-collar workers. We also have to think about exporting doctors, engineers, bankers, etc.
We also need to integrate ourselves with the ever-growing Islamic financial world, which can help us in building our infrastructure and development activities. We need to be in the minds of Islamic policy makers, so that whenever a new initiative is considered or thought about. Bangladesh is included in the entire development and execution process.
Special focus on Middle East is required for Bangladesh, not only for economic priorities, but also for destroying the social and political division that is being used by some vested interests to achieve their narrow objectives and deprive the country of economic, social and political stability.
Mamun Rashid Is a columnist for Tho Daily Star.