A New Horizon for the Muslim World; Turning Potential into Collective Power.

A New Horizon for the Muslim World; Turning Potential into Collective Power

Despite a population of over 1.8 billion, control of more than half of the world’s oil reserves, and a grip on the most strategic sea lanes, the Muslim world still under-utilises its true power. The 57 OIC member states trade only around 18 percent with one another, rely on external financial infrastructures and often depend on outside powers for conflict mediation. This can change—if Muslim countries adopt a phased and practical roadmap to integration.

This article sketches a comprehensive yet actionable strategy built on three pillars: economic connectivity, financial self-reliance and joint security—all to be advanced step by step.

Economic Connectivity: Corridors, Trade and Investment

The first step is building high-impact trade corridors. If projects such as the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor, the Anatolia–Asia Route, the Maritime Silk Road and the Trans-Sahel Link are pursued under an OIC umbrella, costs could fall by up to 30 percent and intra-OIC trade could climb from 18 percent to 30 percent by 2035. An OIC Trade Facilitation Authority should digitise customs, standardise certification and remove non-tariff barriers.

On the investment side, a unified OIC Investment & Protection Treaty and an online OIC Investment Portal would protect investors and reduce information gaps. Joint industrial clusters—in renewable energy, halal food, Islamic fintech, textiles and defence technology—could link resource-rich and tech-advanced members to build value chains inside the Muslim world.

Financial Self-Reliance: “IsDB-Plus” and a Digital Currency

Tripling the Islamic Development Bank’s authorised capital to $150 billion, creating dedicated funds for climate, digital and SME projects, and formalising co-financing with the World Bank and AIIB would give Muslim countries the ability to finance their own growth.

Alongside this, a Sharia-compliant digital currency—asset-backed by gold and a basket of OIC currencies, built on energy-efficient blockchain, and governed by a multilateral board with a high-level Sharia advisory panel—could reduce dependence on the dollar. Start with a pilot among Malaysia, UAE, Turkey and Indonesia before scaling to others.

A Pan-Islamic Stock Index and gradual capital-market union would also make cross-border investment far easier.

Joint Security: From Exercises to Collective Capacity

Economic connectivity needs a security backbone. An annual calendar of multilateral exercises rotating across the Gulf, Red Sea, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean would gradually move from confidence-building to full-spectrum drills—maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber defence and disaster response.

A Multilateral Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Centre with secure data exchange, standardised border management and joint patrol protocols would enhance safety. An upgraded OIC Secretariat could host a professional Mediation Unit and a rapidly deployable Peacekeeping Force, making the Muslim world more self-reliant in conflict resolution.

Overcoming Obstacles

Diverse political systems, leadership rivalries and economic disparities are realities. They can be managed through flexible, tiered integration; rotating leadership for different initiatives; solidarity funds and institutional twinning to support weaker economies. Integration should be framed as pro-development rather than anti-any third party, easing external concerns.

A Phased Roadmap

• Short term (0–18 months): Cut half the sensitive-list tariffs, launch a digital trade portal, set up a digital-currency working group, and expand joint military exercises.

• Medium term (18 months–5 years): Implement the core of a customs union, establish three regional value chains, pilot the Islamic digital currency between central banks, and stand up a peacekeeping force.

• Long term (5–15 years): Achieve free movement of goods, services and skilled labour; pool reserves and advance monetary cooperation; move to integrated security planning and joint defence procurement.

From Vision to Reality

This roadmap is not rhetoric but a set of measurable steps. If Muslim leaders show political will and strengthen institutions, they can model a new development path that fuses economic progress, social justice and environmental stewardship—benefiting not only their own citizens but contributing to global peace and prosperity.

Author

Syed Ali Raza Naqvi Bukhari

Unity of Peace, Economic Reform, and Global Unity

Founder & Chairman of Tehreek Istehkam Pakistan, and the author of “Law of God” and “Social Democratic System.” Advocates for truth, social justice, and reform in all sectors of society.