It has always been a highly controversial issue to adjudge in a war between Muslims as to who is on the right path. Passing judgements and taking sides in the latest conflict in the Middle East, for which credit is openly taken by Donald Trump after his visit to Saudi Arabia and Israel, can be disastrous for the Muslim nation. This conflict, if not resolved, will have serious ramifications for Muslims, who are already facing multiple challenges, internally and externally. The main malady of Arab states is their ego-centric nationalism, which Albert Einstein aptly called: “an infantile disease, the measles of mankind”. The Muslims learnt no lessons from the territorial divisions created by colonialists in the post-Ottoman era. Instead of forging a unified block, they keep on playing in the hands of infamous Military-Industrial Complex — the real enemy of world peace. A cursory look at major arms deals to Gulf countries alone is sufficient to confirm who the beneficiaries are — Trump sold to Qatar F-15s worth US$12 billion a day after accusing it of terrorism and earlier US Senate authorised him to make an arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Waging struggle against oppressors has always been a daunting task, especially in the Muslim World where clergy lends a supporting hand to undemocratic rulers Destabilising Pakistan, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Yemen or even non-Muslim countries is part of geo-economic and geo-political interests of neo-imperialists. They want to maintain control over world resources, and muzzle the governments that resist their agenda. Through military conflicts, they want to create an apparition for powerful re-emerging Russia, oil-rich Iran, democratic India and socialist China. The inventing and slaying of militants (so-called enemies but in fact puppets) is also done with a sinister purpose — controlling the world in the name of security threats and fighting terrorism. The agenda of warmongers gets its real strength from internal weaknesses of Muslim countries where power and wealth is concentrated in a few hands and people are ousted from political process. The lack of participative governance and socio-economic justice are the main enemies of these Muslim countries. Waging struggle against oppressors has always been a daunting task, especially in the Muslim world where clergy lends a supporting hand to kings, despotic rulers and the corrupt. The obedience of Amir, even if incompetent, lowly, corrupt and oppressive is sanctified in history by ulma-e-soo (false religious scholars). For change in Muslim societies, the towering religious figures, having following of millions, will have to defuse their differences and present counter-narrative against the plague of extremism, religious bigotry and militancy. Struggle for a just society in Muslim country ruled by monarchs is complex because their unholy alliance with clergy. Expecting support from clergy against exploitative forces, many will argue, is nothing but a fantasy. Their own deep-rooted divisions are irreconcilable. The only way out is then reaching a consensus: keeping faith and practices aside, a grand alliance against international neo-imperialism that hand-in-glove with the rulers is pushing the masses to wars and misery. This one point agenda for common struggle — justice and equality, ensuring peace and tranquility for all — can be debated to save the Ummah for destruction. This agenda has international dimension as well. Terrorism can be countered with humanisation of societies. It alone can guarantee international peace and prosperity. Ending exploitation at international level is also necessary. The 2008 debacle of financial institutions of USA and Europe, considered as pillars of capitalism, exposed the emptiness of models based on exploitation, greed and self-interest. In the present-day scenario, universal struggle is needed to fight all kinds of oppressions, inequalities, injustices at all levels. It holds the key to forging unity at international level to defeat war mongereres and arms sellers, their buyers and users. As far as the Muslim world is concerned, the most disturbing and painful reality is unabated and brazen indulgence of rulers in wasteful expenditures. Look at their life style and the plight of the poor. The Ummah cannot come out of this pathetic state unless their rulers start living at a modest level, establish just economic system and provide socio-economic justice to all. Instead of creating war psychosis, the rulers of Muslim world should concentrate on improving the lot of their masses and educate the people to be creative and innovative. Science and technology should be given highest priority along with equitable distribution of wealth and income. Muslims world must realise that the war in Afghanistan, 11-year-battle between Iran and Iraq, destructions in Lebanon, Syria, Libya, or elsewhere have merely benefitted their enemies. New arising conflict, division of Saudi and Iranian camps, will have far reaching disastrous results if continues unabated. A summit conference of all Muslim heads of state in the present volatile situation is the need of the hour. But, alas we now do not even have a leader like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had the caliber to make it possible. The writer is Advocate Supreme Court and Adjunct Faculty at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). Email: ikram@huzaimaikram.com; Twitter: @drikramulhaq