Could the short-lived United Arab Republic serve as an example of cross-border union? [GALLO/GETTY]
The modern geography of the Middle East was carved out by British and French colonialists whose sole interest was in sharing the spoils of war between themselves and in maintaining their supremacy over the region in the early part of the 20th century.
The contours of the region, with its immaculately straight lines (see maps of Algeria, Libya, Egypt and Sudan) are much the same today as when they were first drawn up, despite decades of cross-border encroachment and conflict.
Never has an imported concept been so jealously guarded by ruling families and political elites in the Middle East as that of the nation state, together with the holy grail of international relations theory, state sovereignty.
The artificialness of the borders in question is not in doubt. Take a look at any map of the Middle East prior to the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement between Britain and France (when the division of the region was finalised with no consideration for the thoughts of the people that lived in it) and you will be hard pressed to find many physical boundaries between, say, Syria to the north-east and Morocco to the west.
What you may find, however, are free-flowing train routes spanning the region. A relic of the old Hejaz Railway, which connected Damascus to Medina, still stands (dilapidated) in the centre of the Syrian capital. It once transported pilgrims to the Muslim holy city in modern-day Saudi Arabia without the need for cumbersome visas and frustrating bureaucrats. But that was obviously some time ago.
Trial and error
Over the course of recent history, Arab leaders have attempted to foster closer unity in the Arab world whether in the form of the 22-member Arab League - "to safeguard the independence and sovereignty [of Arab states]" - or the six-state Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) - as a political, economic and security union in response to the Islamic revolution in Iran.
However, the sanctity of the state itself, and its borders, has been absolute within these blocs.
Possibly the greatest experiment in cross-border union, one which admittedly lasted barely three years, began in 1958, when under a wave of Nasserism sweeping the region, Egypt and Syria (and for a very short period, Iraq) established the United Arab Republic (UAR).
Gamal Abdel-Nasser's demagoguery and penchant for power, however, and the subsequent economic tumult felt in Syria, soon saw an end to that project in 1961.
Theoretically, Egypt and Syria became one, as part of the UAR. Under a single leadership (with devolved power), the UAR was supposed to foster a spirit of togetherness and spur other countries in the region to join up and expand the union.
That the project failed was in no way a reflection of the Egyptian and Syrian peoples' desire to forge a single alliance. Together with the then Yemen Arab Republic, the formation of a United Arab States was also mooted.
That was the last we heard of a pan-Arab national project.
Arguably, the 1990s and the 2000s were the decades of cross-border post-nationalism, especially with the rise of Islamic movements as major political actors whose ideology was premised on Islamic ideals that transcended national borders.
Analyse closely the manifestos of some of these movements, however, and also consider their specific origins, and it soon becomes clear that their political ambitions were, and are, ingrained firmly in the states in which they emerged.
As such, the Islamic Salvation Front was a dominant actor in Algeria and Algeria alone, while the Muslim Brotherhood's focus is on political reformation in Egypt. The Brotherhood's offshoots are similarly specifically state-centric.
These movements may well have ideological underpinnings that aim to replicate the glory days of the early Caliphates or the Ottoman Empire, but realism has dictated that they focus their energies within specific national confines. This is unlikely to change anytime soon.
All for one
Given this recent history, then, is the idea of a borderless Middle East still viable? It may well be when you consider that the globalised nature of the world, in its present form, has thrown up possibilities in the region that would have been inconceivable barely a few years back.
More precisely, the political convulsions that the region is undergoing right now have revealed glaringly the extent to which the problems and, potentially, the solutions to the Arab world's ills are remarkably similar. The political, economic and social suffocation that the people of Tunisia and Egypt have endured, before popular revolutions swept the countries' dictators from power, were near identical. The political, economic and social ailments suffered in Libya, Algeria, Bahrain, Yemen and now Oman are of the same vein.
Obviously, the causes of political unrest across these states are much more nuanced and cannot be reduced to generalisations. However, the future, unsurprisingly, is with the youth, the very demographic that is taking the lead in battling corruption and autocracy and one that is communicating, encouraging and helping others across borders in the spirit and language of togetherness.
Sure, this does not by itself denote that borders are now irrelevant. What it does suggest, however, is that political and economic issues and opportunities cannot be dealt with simply within the confines of borders any longer. The pent-up frustrations of the Arab youth, the economic inequalities, the demands for better representation extend across the entire region. A single voice is emerging in search of a single value: Freedom.
A single political authority is certainly not about to emerge out of the current political turmoil. But such an authority is not necessary. An appropriate governance model for the Arab world to emulate would be that of the European Union (EU). The 27-nation political and economic union is borderless in the sense that its people can live, work and travel in member countries without much hindrance.
Sovereignty is still paramount in the EU but the federalisation of political and economic power is to the benefit of hundreds of millions of Europeans. Granted, the recent economic and financial crisis has called into question the viability of the EU, or more specifically, the single European currency, but the political will remains resolute in defence of the union.
We can probably find a plethora of reasons why a real political and economic union would not work in the Arab world. Take a look at the GCC, for example, a bloc of around 40 million people: After a decade of trying, it is still unable to form a currency union. How are we then to expect over 200 million people to agree on a federally-based political and economic union?
But, this would be to dismiss the thrust towards a common set of goals in the Arab world. Borders are increasingly irrelevant in this new equation. The means of mass communication, interdependency, pan-regional media, ease of access through improved infrastructure, the identification with a cause rather than a country, all suggest that the political awakening in the region may be conducive to a completely different set of political and economic realities.
The nation state as we know it, as it was imposed on the region by colonial powers, is ripe for change. The unleashing of people power has now opened up new possibilities for mapping the Arab world's future. While protesters across the region have been waving their respective national flags, the cause for which they are fighting and risking their lives extends well beyond their immediate borders.
Mohammed Khan is a political analyst based in the UAE.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy.
1.5 billion Muslims worldwide & they still can't aspire to form one big Muslim super state!
It's shameful.
Why they don't do it? because their leaders are non Muslims that's why! no guts, no good sense, no honour.
I swear to God the so called Muslim leaders today are not qualified to lead themselves out of the S. house LoL
All 56 Muslim countries are wealthy countries loaded with natural resources, human resources, scientists, money ...etc
All they have to do is form a Muslim Economic Union much like the European union then go from there. They can also have one united military whereby all conscripts & professional military personnel spend X amount of time in a different Muslim country, until they finish serving in all 56 Muslim countries, to boost cooperation, solidarity & brotherhood through understanding each other's culture & common needs as well as belief. I actually drafted a 49 page long memo (plan), 3 years ago, detailing all the steps necessary without leaving out the slightest detail to the element of chance & sent it everywhere in the Muslim world. But who would listen.
For instance I wonder why Turkey tries so hard to get in the EU (the Europeans don't want them) while it can be in a much richer & more powerful Muslim union?!
"And those who disbelieved are allies of one another. If you do not do so, there will be chaos(fitnah) on earth and great corruption".
[Al Anfal/chapter 8 verse#73]
"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided".
[Al Imran/chapter 3 verse# 103]
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irem teker 1 week ago in reply to Travellerrr
I agree with you but the problem is that there are many troubles out there in the muslim nations, I guess they are kind of obvious. In Turkey (my country) many universities do not accept girls wearing headscarf, but the way it goes is changing gradually. Unfortunately most muslims have abandoned what their religion teaches. Finally, I detest almost all arab leaders, look at the king of the saudi arabia, they depent on only oil and live in luxury while palastine suffers, it is a pitty, holy mekkah does not deserve that.
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Travellerrr 1 week ago in reply to irem teker
Bro the Saudi family is no more than present day Quraish.
They have hijacked Mekkah & Medina to make a business out of it much like the old Quraish did 1400 years ago.
As for the other scum Arab leaders, they represent everything that's evil LoL. I think a point well worth mentinning is what a U.S. Senator said back in 2001:
"If Saudi Arabia was to become a democratic country, there's an ally we'd lose in a hurry" LoL. Two strikes in one; a regime of tyranny & non Muslims according to [Al Maeda/chapter 5, verse#51] &
[Al Imran/chapter 3, verse# 118].
The only Muslim leader worth something is the Emir of Qatar who seems to have mercy in his heart & integrity for allowing such news outlet as al jazeera, for being the first one to send help(medical,food) to the stranded foreigners leaving Tunisia, & much like he was the first one to congratulate Egypt with
[Chapter 22/Al Hadj verses#40,41].
Now those are the kind of leaders we want & need.
& may be Iran & Turkey.
I mean what would it take for instance to go in to Libya to back up the people there who said loud & clear we will only accept Muslim soldiers on the ground no others.
Or at the very least they should enforce a no fly zone over Libya's airspace.
& all you have to know that is the Muslims duty to go in & help & not the West's (& for once I actually don't blame the West, all you need to know is:
[Chapter 49/al hujurat, verse 9]
As for my suggestion for Saudi Arabia, is to do what the Prophet did during the treaty of Al Hudaibiya.
Take the pelgrimage outside of Mecca into a neighbouring country like Yemen for instance. Since Yemen is going to be free inchallah. Until the Saudi regime understand that we're on to them that they are not Muslims see [Al Maeda/chapter 5, verse# 51] for clarification & why we cannot allow the Saudi regime(present day Quraish)to rule over Islam's 2 holy sites:
“The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and establish prayer and give zakah and do not fear except Allah , for it is expected that those will be of the [rightly] guided”
[Al Tawbah/chapter 9 verse#18]
“Have you made the providing of water for the pilgrim and the maintenance of al-Masjid al-Haram equal to [the deeds of] one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the cause of Allah ? They are not equal in the sight of Allah . And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people”
[Al Tawbah/chapter 9 verse# 19]
As for those of you who doubt that the Saudi family are non Muslims well let’s see God has to say about those who try to fool us:
“And they swear by Allah that they are from among you while they are not from among you; but they are a people who are afraid”.
[Al Tawbah/chapter 9 verse# 56]
They Must leave Mecca & go live with their new found Gods.
Taking pelgrimage outside of Mecca is to avoid blood shed near the holy sites, because that country is loaded with hypocrites & Jews under the disguise of Muslims. Trust me I'm a Naval Officer I know about all of their dirty little secrets!
It may take anywhere from 1 to 10 years but they'll get the point & leave or their people will make them leave. I know this for a fact.
We need not worry about the Kaaba, God already said that no matter what, there are always going to be 600,000 angels circumambulating it during the days of Hajj & Umrah or any other day if I remember correctly.
& frankly I think that is the reason he said that.
Yet another way to confidently & effectively overthrow that phoney Muslim, hypocrite, pagan regime is to prepare for a Hajj season; say next Hajj season, & perhaps all of our Muslim ladies should stay home & let only men (2 million men) do the pelgrimage next year. Although more often than not, our ladies & ladies worldwide, have proven themselves worthy & just as brave & effective if not more so than their male counter part these days LoL sad to say but true. & don't get me wrong; I welcome that. It's just that the substance is supposed to come from our men, women are like precious jems & should never have to fight, instead they should be treated like princesses.
We finish Hajj & then refuse to leave, join forces with our brothers in Saudi, & boy there are plenty of them, protest & bring the country to a halt until the family of & dogs & their regime is brought to their knees & literally put them on a plane to whichever destination they wish.
What are they going to do?
Shoot dead all 2 million international pelgrims?
You know, as well as I know, & they know they haven't the guts to declare war on the guests of the house of God.
It'll be game over in a spectacular way. Facebook account under the user of name of free Saudi Arabia & twitter is the way to go, & we should aim for next Hajj season to take advantage of the momemtum that this wind of change has brought.
P.S. Here's what most people don't know about the Saudi regime.
There was once a king called king Faisal Of Saudi Arabia, 1964-1975
He had a policy of Modernization and Reform. While his main foreign policy was Pan Islamism, Anti Communism and Pro Palestinian.
The United States had him Assassinated on March 25, 1975 by his half brother's son, who had just returned from the United States.
Understand that & you'll understand what's going on in Saudi today.
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ANSLQ32 5 days ago in reply to irem teker
travellerr, Libyan man recorded a few days ago: "Bush, send help!"
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Mm Mmn 6 days ago in reply to Travellerrr
Creating a religious super-state would only make the world a worse place! Nations unite under ethnicity, NOT religion! That's fanatic and backward thinking!
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Travellerrr 6 days ago in reply to Mm Mmn
Interesting how you find the idea of an American, an English person, an Arab, an Indian, an Australian, South African ...etc of all colours, being brothers as backwards I would have thought this concepts clearly abolishes racism. But hey may be that's just me LoL.
I guess you call that upseting social order LoL
They had already tried tribalism in 7TH century Arabia. Disastrous! until the noble & seal of Prophets (PBUH) came along & managed to mobilise entire nations into one nation.
Only Islam has the true solution for racism & evil, fabricated wars.
For we are all equally worthless or worthy in front of the maker, depending according to our deeds.
" O believers we created you from a male & female & have indeed created you nations & tribes to get to know one another, & indeed the most honourable amonst you is the most pious. God is indeed the most knowledgeable all aware".
[Al Hujurat/Chapter 49, verse# 13]
This is Islam's Manisfeto of universal brotherhood of human beings. What is understood by "to get to know one another" is to learn from one another, to marry one another, to interact with one another, to meet one another but certainly not to hate & kill each other.
Ethnicity, a byproduct of clonialism, & that is precisely what colonial France, England, & Russia left behind when they exited their respective colonies. Thereby ensuring an ever lasting divide & conquor strategy.
"This nation of yours is indeed one nation & I am your lord so fear me"
[Al Mu'minun/chapter 23, verse 52]
What is meant by nation in this verse does in no way shape of form mean Arab. & by God he or she who thinks that have come out of the fold of Islam. What is meant is the nation of Islam.
So going with enthnicity is coming out of the fold of Islam.
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Abdi Farah 6 days ago in reply to Mm Mmn
I don't think he was referring to a religious unity, but rather a political unity. There is a difference. There are many non-Muslim Arabs in the Middle-East.
inter_est and 14 more liked this Like
Philip Hristov 6 days ago in reply to Mm Mmn
Oh and the EU isn't a Christian club is it?
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rreis 6 days ago in reply to Mm Mmn
@Philip Hristov:
- No (State is separated from Church)
- And even if yes, is that a good thing? I don't think so.
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Yuwana 2 days ago in reply to Mm Mmn
dude r u stuck in your mother's closet? The only truling power in the west is Christianity and yet u say "Creating a religious super-state would only make the world a worse place" sounds to me like ur saying just because "we" have it "you" can't get it. And the lession learned today is...Think before u speak!!
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Mike Grise 3 days ago in reply to Mm Mmn
Instead of ethnicity or religion how about a new idea that people unite under common beliefs. By beliefs I specifically mean not religion. How about gender, economic, and social equality between groups...The reduction in economic differences between the different economic classes and the equal distribution of the natural resources (oil) to the nations inhabitants instead of solely to members of the upperclass. Countries, and nations founded on accountability of officials and government will inevitably last longer then a reginme founded on religion.
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