Muslim World League

Muslim World League

Overview

The Muslim World League (Rabitat al-Alam al-Islami) was established in 1962 in Saudi Arabia with the primary goal of addressing the affairs of the global Muslim ummah. Given what were perceived as looming threats from Communism and secular ideologies, the organization was founded to promote and safeguard Islamic values while countering ideologies deemed antagonistic to Islam.

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: رابطة العالم الإسلامي (Rabitat al-Alam al-Islami)
• Turkish: Dünya Müslümanlar Birliği

Origin and Activities

Founding Vision

The League’s inception was spurred by an intention to:

1. Promote the Message of Islam: Advocate for traditional Islamic values and disseminate Islamic teachings globally.
2. Combat Perceived Threats: Engage in efforts to counteract ideologies such as Communism and secularism.
3. Address Issues Pertaining to Islam: Serve as a forum for discussing and strategizing around various socio-political and religious challenges facing Muslims worldwide.

Evolution and Expansion

After 1972, the Muslim World League emphasized maintaining an independent and supranational identity. This shift included:

• Establishing Networks: Development of a broad network of Islamic cultural and political organizations.
• Diverse Activities: Expansion into missionary work (Da’wah), Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), and social welfare programs.
• Jurisprudence Council: Efforts to standardize Islamic legal practices internationally through a jurisprudence council.

Role and Influence

The Muslim World League has often acted as a representative entity of the Saudi Arabian government’s perspective, primarily due to significant financial backing from Saudi authorities. However, it continually aims to stand as an independent body fostering unity and cooperation among Muslims globally.

Major Contributions

• International Islamic Relief Organization: An affiliated body focused on humanitarian aid and socio-economic development within Muslim communities.
• Promotion of Islamic Law: Initiatives aimed at the international standardization of Islamic legal practices.
• Educational and Social Programs: Efforts in providing educational resources and social support to Muslims around the world.

Recommended Readings

1. The Call from the Minaret: The Muslim World League and Islamic Revival in Colonial Regal Africa by John O. Voll
2. Charity, Charity Networks, and the Societies of Law by Anies Baswedan
3. Saudi Arabia and the Global Islamic Terrorist Network: America and the West’s Fatal Embrace by Sarah N. Stern

Takeaways

• The Muslim World League was initiated to confront the range of challenges perceived as threats to Islamic values during the mid-20th century.
• Over decades, it evolved to wield significant influence within the Islamic world and expanded its scope into various socio-religious domains.
• It plays a dual role in promoting unity among Muslims and projecting a favorable perspective aligned often with Saudi Arabian interests.

Conclusion

The Muslim World League continues to be a pivotal entity in fostering international Islamic solidarity and addressing contemporary challenges faced by Muslims worldwide. Through its broad network and diverse initiatives, it has profoundly impacted Islamic missionary work, law, education, and welfare. For a deeper understanding of its scope and historical context, the recommended readings provide comprehensive insight.

This entry provides a nuanced understanding of the Muslim World League, its historical evolution, and its ongoing role in the global Islamic context.