Fate Forces Us to Be United

During the Ottoman era, Muslims lived in peace and security for hundreds of years. Sometimes, there were those who tried to create discord, but they did not succeed much. Those who wanted to attack Muslims rarely dared to do so.

Especially in the 19th century, the rhythm of our minds and hearts began to change. The polished slogans of the French Revolution dazzled our eyes. We entered various searches. The currents of “nationalism” triggered feelings of “racism” that Islam does not approve. “The right of nations to self-determination” sounded very appealing.

Everyone became concerned with building their own “nation-state.” We began to lose the awareness of being the “Ummah.” Eventually, we tore apart the Ottoman Empire, which represented the unity and sultanate of the Ummah, both from outside through the tricks, schemes, and attacks of Islam’s enemies, and from within by our own hands.

Those who helped divide Muslim communities and separate them from the Ottomans did not recognize any “right to self-determination” for the people living in the lands they separated. The practice of “I decide your fate” began.

On the vast Ottoman lands that spread across three continents, dozens of “nation-states” began to raise their own flags, but none of them were truly “free” or “independent.” They could never cross the borders set by the “masters” who separated them from the Ottomans. Leaders who tried to do so paid with their lives. Slanders, executions, assassinations, and coups continued one after another.

Those who tore apart our geography and Ummah consciousness during World War I entered into a huge war within themselves during World War II. They killed 60–80 million people.

A few years after the end of World War II, a very different process began. Some European countries formed the “Coal and Steel Community” among themselves. Later, this structure, with the addition of new states, became the European Economic Community (EEC), the European Community (EC), and eventually the European Union (EU), managed under a single constitution, with the same flag, currency, and laws—a kind of “single state.”

When the European Union was formed, it made Europe one of the world’s leading power centers. Smaller countries like Slovenia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Malta, and Luxembourg benefited easily from the welfare, peace, and security provided by the Union under the shadow of large and powerful countries like Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.

Europe also had a joint army through NATO. This joint army both reduced the defense costs of countries and provided shared protection. In this way, Europe became one of the most prosperous, richest, and safest places in the world.

The same is true for America. States that had fought wars with each other for decades learned once again that war brings nothing. They gave it up and formed the “United States of America.” Now, 50 states live together under the same flag, shared government, and federal constitution. Even though this “union” has faced challenges recently, it kept its power and influence for centuries.

Looking at the names, the point is clear. Europe is a “Union,” America is the “United States.” There is unity, not separation. While our enemies, as we reminded above, were dividing the Ummah with polished slogans, they themselves insisted on uniting. They became political, social, technological, economic, and military powers.

On the surface, we also have some “unions.” Like the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. But in some matters, we made decisions that we could not implement. There is no authority to ensure these decisions are applied. Because the rhythm of our hearts and minds is different, these “unions” on paper remained ineffective. The EU and the USA act as a single state and achieve results.

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, and Muslim countries watched. When the Soviets left, dozens of Crusader countries joined together and invaded Muslim Afghanistan, and Muslim countries again watched. Encouraged by this disunity of Muslims, these countries invaded Iraq in the same way in 2003. Millions of innocent people were killed.

Israel, with a population of 9 million, is not afraid of hundreds of millions of Muslims in the region. It eats and occupies Palestinian lands piece by piece like locusts, and no one does anything. It attacks Lebanon, and nothing is done except weak responses. It attacks Syria as it wishes, and no one responds. It strikes Iran and sees no serious retaliation.

Now, together with the USA, they have started a war on Iran. In the unclear environment of this war, attacks are carried out from inside Iran to Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. It is doubtful that at least some of these attacks are carried out by Iran. Israel and the USA are targeting Iran and want the countries in the region to fight with it. If this war is started as intended, the Islamic world will split in two, and a terrible Shia-Sunni war will cause massive bloodshed. If that happens, the crimes of Israel, already hated by the world, will be forgotten, and most importantly, regional countries will be so busy fighting each other that they will have no chance to hold Israel accountable.

Fate is forcing us toward unity.

Today, Israel, with a population of 9 million, is spreading chaos around the world through Zionism. Why can’t Muslims, with a population of about 2.2 billion, do the same?

If we had the unity we had during the strong period of the Ottoman Empire, enemies would not dare. And if they did, they would quickly pay the price. We must put aside petty disputes and create “unity” and “alliances.” Not only Muslims but all humanity urgently needs this.

The USA and Israel have shown in the clearest way how necessary this unity is by attacking Iran. How else could they have shown countries like the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, swimming in a sea of money, that they live in a fragile aquarium, without any real security, and that the USA and Israel they trust can strike them from behind at any moment?

Now think for a moment… If the countries of the region form an alliance and unite their political, economic, and military power, and they announce that if one member is attacked, they will all respond together… who could challenge such a power? In such a Middle East, not only could these genocide perpetrators not attack everywhere, but would Israel even remain as a state?

We must be one, we must be together. It is time to declare our unity to the world.

Hopefully, the time has finally come.

                                                         Alper Tan

11 March 2026