"Kutoweka kwa fahamu za kikabila miongoni mwa Waislamu ni moja ya mafanikio makubwa ya Uislamu, na katika ulimwengu wa sasa kuna, kama ilivyo, haja kubwa ya kueneza fadhila hii ya Kiislamu" -- Arnold Toynbee Mgogoro wa Umoja wa Ulaya (EU) kuhusu katiba yake na bajeti yake ya kiuchumi umekuwa mada ya mjadala mkubwa miongoni mwa Wazungu. Wasio Wazungu nao wameonyesha shauku kubwa katika hali ngumu ya EU na wamekuwa wakitamani kutoa dhana juu ya mustakabali wa Ulaya.

“The extinction of race consciousness as between Muslims is one of the outstanding achievements of Islam, and in the contemporary world there is, as it happens, a crying need for the propagation of this Islamic virtue” -- Arnold Toynbee The crisis in the European Union (EU) over its constitution and economic budget has become a subject of great debate amongst Europeans. Non-Europeans too have taken a keen interest in the EU’ s predicament and have been eager to speculate on Europe’ s future.

Baadhi ya watu wanatabiri kuanguka kwa Ulaya, huku wengine wakiuona mgogoro wa sasa kama fursa ya kuifanyia Umoja wa Ulaya usasa na kuubadilisha kuwa nguvu ya dunia inayoweza kupinga utawala wa Marekani duniani.

Some predict Europe’ s demise, while others view the current crisis as an opportunity to modernise and transform the EU into a world power that is able to challenge American global hegemony.

Maoni ya wafasiri wengi wa Kiislamu yanaangukia katika makundi haya mawili. Hata hivyo, kuna mafunzo muhimu ya kujifunza kutokana na mgogoro wa sasa, ambayo yamepita bila kuangaliwa na wafasiri wengi. Yanaweza kufupishwa kama ifuatavyo:

Opinions of most Muslim commentators fall into these two camps. However, there are some important lessons to be learnt from the present crisis, which has escaped the attention of many commentators. These can be summarised as follows:

1. Uislamu-phobia - kizuizi cha kudumu kati ya Ulaya na ulimwengu wa Kiislamu Uamuzi mkubwa wa wapiga kura wa Uholanzi na Ufaransa wa kukataa katiba ya Umoja wa Ulaya umechochewa kwa sehemu na chuki za karne nyingi dhidi ya ulimwengu wa Kiislamu. Huu si mara ya kwanza kwa Uislamu-phobia kuonyesha sura yake mbaya, lakini ni mara ya kwanza kwa Wazungu wa kawaida kupewa nafasi ya kueleza hofu yao juu ya Uislamu kupitia sanduku la kura.

1. Islamphobia - a permanent barrier between Europe and the Islamic world The overwhelmingly decision by Dutchxx and Frenchxxi voters to reject the EU’ s constitution was in part fuelled by centuries old animosity towards the Islamic world. This is not the first time that Islamophobia has raised its ugly head, but it is the first time that ordinary Europeans have been given a chance to voice their fears of Islam via the ballot box.

Matukio ya tarehe 11 Septemba, milipuko ya mabomu mjini London na Madrid, pamoja na hamu ya Uturuki ya kujiunga na Umoja wa Ulaya, vimezua wimbi kubwa la hisia za kupinga Uislamu ambazo zimeenea katika kila sehemu ya jamii ya Ulaya. Taasisi kuu za habari za Ulaya na wanasiasa wenye majivuno ya kisomi wamelitumia hisia hizi ili kujenga mpasuko wa kudumu kati ya Ulaya na ulimwengu wa Kiislamu.

The events of September 11, the bomb blasts in London and Madrid, and Turkey’ s desire to join the union has created a well of anti-Islamic feelings that permeates all sections of European society. Europe’ s premier media institutions and elitist politicians have exploited this sentiment to create a permanent wedge between Europe and the Islamic world.

Wazungu waliolishwa kila siku chakula cha chuki dhidi ya Uislamu wamechukua kila fursa kukataa uhamiaji kutoka ulimwengu wa Kiislamu na kukataa kuingia kwa Uturuki katika Umoja huo.

Europeans fed on a daily diet of Islamophobia have taken every opportunity to spurn immigration from the Islamic world and reject Turkey’ s entry into the Union.

Hata Uingereza na Marekani, ambazo zinaunga mkono kuingia kwa Uturuki, zinafanya hivyo kwa sababu zinaamini kwamba hilo litachochea moto wa chuki dhidi ya Uislamu (Islamophobia) na kuleta mwisho wa ndoto ya Ufaransa na Ujerumani ya Ulaya yenye nguvu. Kwa kifupi, kizuizi cha chuki ambacho Ulaya imejenga ili kuzuia kusonga mbele kwa Uturuki na nchi za Maghreb kimekuwa kisichoweza kuvunjwa. Ni upumbavu kwa wasomi wa nchi hizi za Kiislamu kuendelea kujitahidi kuzifanya nchi zao kuwa sehemu ya muungano unaolidharau Uislamu.

Even Britain and America that champion Turkey’ s entry do so, because they believe it will stoke the flames of Islamophobia and bring an end to the Franco-German dream of a powerful Europe. Simply put the barrier of hate erected by Europe to ward off advances from Turkey and Maghreb countries has become insurmountable. It is foolhardy for the elite in these Muslim countries to continue efforts to make their countries part of a union that reviles Islam.

2. Utaifa unaorejea Ulaya lakini unafifia katika ulimwengu wa Kiislamu Mara nyingine tena Ulaya inakabiliwa na adui wake wa zamani, utaifa, ambao kwa karne nyingi umeleta maafa barani humo. Utaifa wa Ulaya, uliokandamizwa kwa miongo kadhaa, umeamshwa upya na nguvu za utandawazi, na sasa unatishia kuiharibu kabisa roho ya Muungano huo.

2. Nationalism resurgent in Europe but fades in the Muslim world Once again Europe is confronted with its old adversarynationalism, which for centuries has wreaked havoc on the continent. European nationalism suppressed for decades has been reawakened by the forces of globalisation and now threatens to destroy the very soul of the Union.

Leo, Wazungu wana wasiwasi zaidi juu ya kulinda utambulisho wao wa kitaifa kuliko kusonga mbele kuelekea katiba inayosisitiza zaidi utambulisho wa Ulaya. Kwa hivyo, matatizo ya sasa yanayoikabili Ulaya, pamoja na suluhisho zinazopendekezwa, hayatazamwi tena kwa mtazamo wa Ulaya iliyoungana, bali kupitia kioo cha utaifa. Mzozo kuhusu bajeti ni mfano wa kawaida wa jinsi utaifa wa Ulaya unavyoivuruga Umoja wa Ulaya.

Today, Europeans are more worried about safeguarding their national identities than moving forward with a constitution that places greater emphasis on a European identity. Subsequently, the current problems faced by Europe, and the solutions advocated are no longer viewed from the perspective of a unified Europe, but through the prism of nationalism. The dispute over the budget is a classic example of European nationalism tearing apart the EU.

Kinyume chake, utaifa ulioingizwa katika ulimwengu wa Kiislamu na kutumiwa kwa lengo la "kugawanya na kutawala" Waislamu unarudi nyuma kwa kasi. Leo dhana ya Ummah imeshika nafasi ya utaifa na imekuwa nguvu ya kuunganisha Waislamu kote duniani. Waislamu kuanzia Morocco hadi Indonesia wanagundua haraka kwamba wana mambo mengi zaidi yanayowaunganisha na maono ya Kiislamu ya udugu kuliko utambulisho wao wa sasa unaofafanuliwa na mipaka bandia.

In contrast, nationalism which was exported to the Islamic world and used to ‘divide and conquer’ Muslims is in full retreat. Today the concept of Ummah has superseded nationalism and has become a unifying force for Muslims across the world. Muslims from Morocco to Indonesia are quickly discovering that they have more in common with the Islamic vision of brotherhood than their present identities defined by artificial borders.

Hali ya Waislamu katika Palestina, Chechnya, Kashmir, Iraq na Afghanistan haionekani tena kama matatizo ya kienyeji, bali kama matatizo ya Kiislamu ambayo yanapaswa kuwa na suluhisho la Kiislamu.

The plight of Muslims in Palestine, Chechnya, Kashmir, Iraq and Afghanistan is no longer viewed as parochial problems, but as Islamic problems that must have an Islamic solution.

1. Umoja wa kisiasa ni ndoto kwa Ulaya lakini ni uhalisia kwa Waislamu Jaribio la Umoja wa Ulaya lilikuwa juhudi ya ujasiri ya baadhi ya mataifa ya Ulaya kumaliza mgawanyiko na vita vya karne nyingi. Juhudi hii ilipata msukumo zaidi pale viongozi wa Ufaransa na Ujerumani walipotambua kwamba ubabe wa Marekani hauwezi kupingwa nao peke yao. Hivyo ndivyo wazo la Dola Kuu ya Ulaya lilivyozaliwa.

1. Political unity is a dream for Europe but a reality for Muslims The EU experiment was a bold attempt by some European nations to put to rest centuries of division and warfare. This initiative was given further impetus, when the elites in France and Germany realised that American supremacy could not be challenged by them alone. Hence the concept of a European Super state was born.

Lakini baada ya miaka 40 ya kujaribu kuunda dola ya kisasa ya baada ya usasa (postmodern), Umoja wa Ulaya umesambaratika na kuwa mkusanyiko wa dola za kizamani (mataifa), ambapo dola zenye nguvu kama Uingereza, Ufaransa na Ujerumani zinabishana vikali kuhusu mustakabali wa Ulaya.

But after 40 years of trying to create a post modern state, the EU has disintegrated into a collection of pre-modern states (nation states), where powerful states like England, France and Germany are at loggerheads over Europe’ s future.

Matokeo haya yalikuwa yanatabirika. Bara la Ulaya limekumbwa kwa muda mrefu na tofauti za kitamaduni, mifarakano ya kidini na ushindani mkali kati ya mataifa yenye nguvu.

This was a predictable outcome. The European continent has been plagued with cultural differences, religious schisms and intense rivalries between powerful states.

Historia ya Ulaya inaonyesha wazi kwamba kuna kitu kidogo sana kinachowaunganisha Wazungu isipokuwa vitisho vya kigeni.

European history clearly demonstrates that there is very little to unite Europeans except foreign threats.

Katika karne ya 17, kusonga mbele kwa jeshi la Waottoman hadi malango ya Vienna kulizifanya mataifa ya Ulaya kwa muda mfupi kuweka kando tofauti zao, lakini baadaye tofauti hizo zilirejea. Katika karne ya 20, vitisho kutoka Umoja wa Kisovieti, na baadaye utawala wa kimataifa wa Marekani, vililazimisha Ulaya kuungana katika muundo wa umoja.

In the 17th century the advance of the Ottoman army to the gates of Vienna briefly spurred European nations to put aside their differences-only to be resumed later. In the 20th century, the threats from the Soviet Union, and later from America’ s global hegemony forced Europe to coalesce in the form of a union.

Mara nyingi, kuungana kwa mataifa ya Ulaya ni jambo la muda tu, na baadhi yao hukitumia kujipatia nafuu baada ya kuathiriwa vibaya na vita. Lakini tishio la nje linapopungua, kama ilivyo hapa katika nafasi ya Marekani duniani, Ulaya hurudi haraka katika hali ya kutengana.

More often than not, the coming together of European nations is a temporary affair and is used by some to recuperate after experiencing the ravages of war. But as soon as the external threat weakens, in this case America’ s position in the world, Europe defaults to a state of disunity.

Hata hivyo, kuunganishwa kwa ulimwengu wa Kiislamu kuwa chombo kimoja si ndoto tu bali ni hali halisi. Kwa karne nyingi, Waislamu, bila kujali tofauti za rangi, lugha, ngozi na jiografia, walibaki sehemu ya chombo kimoja cha kisiasa kinachojulikana kama Ukhalifa.

However, the unification of Muslim world into a single entity is not a mere dream but a reality. For centuries, Muslims irrespective of differences in race, language, colour and geography remained part of a single political entity known as the Caliphate.

Mataifa ya kisasa ya ulimwengu wa Kiislamu ni mageni kwa Waislamu. Hayana mtangulizi katika historia ya Kiislamu, wala hayakutokana na fiqhi ya Kiislamu. Taifa la kitaifa lililazimishwa kwa Waislamu na mamlaka za Magharibi ili kuzuia kurejeshwa kwa Ukhalifa.

The present day nation states in the Islamic world are alien to Muslims. They do not have any precedence in Islamic history nor are they a product of Islamic jurisprudence. The nation state was forced upon the Muslims by western powers to prevent the re-establishment of the Caliphate.

Kwa hivyo, umma ya Waislamu haijawahi kweli kuonyesha uaminifu wake kwa mataifa haya bandia, na ilibidi itawaliwe kwa dhulma. Sasa ni suala la muda tu kabla tawala hizi za ugaidi kuangushwa, na Khilafah ya kimataifa kuanzishwa juu ya magofu yake.

As such, the Muslim masses never really expressed their loyalty to these artificial states and had to be governed by tyranny. Now it’ s just a matter of time before these regimes of terror are toppled and a global Caliphate is established on their ruins.

Watawala wa ulimwengu wa Kiislamu hawako vipofu kwa uhalisia huu; badala yake wanauipinga. Watawala hawa wanaendelea kuhubiri kwamba Waislamu hawawezi kamwe kuungana, na kwamba kuanzishwa kwa Ukhalifa ni mambo ya zamani yaliyopita.

The rulers of the Muslim world are not blind to these realities; rather they are opposed to them. These rulers continuously preach that Muslims can never be united and that the establishment of the Caliphate belongs to the realm of the past.

Ikiwa itatokea wakati fulani wanapendekeza umoja kati ya Waislamu, basi ni kupitia taasisi zilizoongozwa na Magharibi kama vile OIC, Jumuiya ya Nchi za Kiarabu, Baraza la Ushirikiano wa Ghuba (GCC) na taasisi nyinginezo za aina hiyo.

If by chance, they ever do suggest unity between Muslims then it is through western inspired institutions like the OIC, Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the like.

Kinyume na matarajio, taasisi hizi na mataifa-taifa yaliyotengenezwa ili kuchelewesha umoja wa kisiasa wa Waislamu yamekuwa vyombo vya mabadiliko. Kutokuwa na nguvu kwao kumewahimiza Waislamu duniani kote kuacha kuiona Ulaya na Marekani kuwa mataifa ya kuigwa, na kuongeza juhudi zao mara mbili za kurejesha Ukhalifa.

Paradoxically these institutions and the nation-states that were manufactured to delay the political unity of Muslims have become the vehicles of change. Their impotence has encouraged Muslims worldwide to discard Europe and America as model states, and to redouble their efforts to reestablish the Caliphate.

Julai 9, 2005

July 9, 2005