- By: Maj Aamir Zia (R)
The Muslim world urgently needs a political transformation. Autocracy dominates the landscape, scanty exceptions apart. Democracy struggles to take root due to various factors, but ignorance remains a significant obstacle. Ironically, the Quran’s first revelation, “Iqra” (Read), emphasized the importance of knowledge and education. If Muslim nations had prioritized learning and innovation, they would be thriving today, with top universities and research institutions driving their economic and military might.
Instead, weakness invites aggression , adversaries exploit vulnerabilities , and the existing autocratic paradigm perpetuates oppression. It’s time for the Muslim world to confront harsh realities and undergo a transformation , a pardigm shift. By embracing education , innovation , and democracy , Muslims can forge a brighter future and reclaim their rightful place on the world stage.
The Muslim world faces significant challenges in education, literacy, and economic development.
- Muslim Population and Education Level:
- The global Muslim population is approximately 1.8 billion, with a significant portion residing in Asia and the Pacific.
- Muslims have made notable gains in educational achievement, with 72% of Muslim adults (ages 25 and older) having at least some formal schooling.
- However, there are significant regional disparities:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: 65% of Muslim adults have no formal schooling.
- Middle East-North Africa: 42% of Muslim adults have no formal schooling.
- Asia-Pacific: 32% of Muslim adults have no formal schooling.
- Literacy Rate:
- Some Muslim-majority countries have achieved high literacy rates:
- Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan , and Uzbekistan: 100% literacy rate.
- Saudi Arabia: 95% literacy rate.
- Indonesia: 94% literacy rate.
- Malaysia: 94% literacy rate.
- However, other countries struggle with lower literacy rates, highlighting the need for improved education systems.
- Educational Institutions:
- Many Muslim countries have implemented Islamic education systems, including madrasas, which can provide primary education.
- However, these institutions often require modernization and integration with modern technology and education systems to equip students with relevant skills.
- Tertiary education in Muslim countries lags behind Western countries, with only 2-6% of students pursuing higher education, compared to 40% in Western countries.
- Financial Impact of Ignorance:
- Financial difficulties are a significant barrier to education for many Muslim students, with 70% of Muslim students in India dropping out of higher education due to financial constraints.
- The economic impact of limited education opportunities is substantial, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting economic growth.
- Investment in education is crucial to break this cycle and promote economic development.
- War Spending:
- The economic burden of conflict and war spending in many Muslim countries further exacerbates the challenges in education and economic development.
- Redirecting resources from military spending to education and development initiatives could have a positive impact on the economy and improve opportunities for Muslim populations.
- Economic Impact:
- The combination of limited education opportunities, financial constraints, and high military spending hinders economic growth and development in many Muslim countries.
- Addressing these challenges will require a multifaceted approach, including investment in education, economic reform, and a shift in priorities towards development and peace.
Muslims deserve a better peaceful coexistence and it is doable. We need truly representative of public spirit people at the helm of affairs who are realistic and logical in their approach to give a way out for public sentiment. Autocrats miserably failed and no need to continue this despicable tradition.