Ummatic Soft Power
All conversations about ummatic solidarity often end in a cul-de-sac of impossibility with a sprinkling of despair. The task of repairing the fissures that inflict our ummah seems too enormous for any meaningful action. Those who claim a solution usually demonstrate breathtaking naivety or paper over the insurmountable challenges that lay in the way of political, economic and social unity.
At best, we muddle through immediate remedies, often without the kind of joined-up thinking that many of our opponents have mastered. There is a virtue in carrying on. I usually meet former proponents of a caliphate who are jaded by their experiences with organised work and fail to find any alternative form of activism that fills the impossible void left behind. Moving is better than standing still.
I have come to the following conclusion about ummatic change. Statist solutions that rely on an all-powerful strong man who will control all facets of government and ride to our rescue are not only a fool's errand but are also antagonistic to the idea of ummatic political change. It is a recipe for replacing one form of authoritarianism with another.
The term 'ummatic' is meaningful because it denotes a particular kind of change, one where the ummah remains at the helm, directing – and tempering – political, economic and social change. And this requires the 'ummah' to organise themselves at a primary level. This is why I urge you all to read Ashraf Motiwala's thoughtful paper 'Ummatic Soft Power as a Catalyst for Change'.
Here are the main points made in the piece:
1. Soft Power
The article adapts Joseph Nye's concept of soft power to the Muslim Ummah, emphasising the use of cultural appeal, ethical leadership, and intellectual influence to shape narratives and advance collective interests. He argues, '[d]eveloping and strategically deploying ummatic soft power is a necessary condition for the flourishing of the Umma'.
2. Eight Domains of Influence
The paper identifies eight key domains where the ummah can cultivate and project soft power: religion, culture, law, education, economics, healthcare, media, and technology. 'For political unity to emerge, the Umma must first develop its capacity to shape global narratives, influence societies, and build impactful institutions that command respect and authority'.
3. Collaboratives of Ummatic Soft Power (CUSPs)
Ashraf proposes the formation of decentralised, transnational networks—Collaboratives of Ummatic Soft Power (CUSPs)—to foster cooperation across regions and domains.
4. Integration Strategies
The approach stresses both vertical integration (linking elites and the general public) and horizontal integration (uniting diverse Muslim communities) as essential for a cohesive Ummah.
5. Examples of Latent Influence
The paper highlights examples such as our collective work over Gaza, consumer boycotts and digital activism, to demonstrate the ummah's latent influence and calls for strategic coordination to translate this potential into sustainable, impactful change on the global stage.
Ashraf makes a critical point when he argues, 'This vision proposes a reimagining of Islamic unity, not merely as a political structure but also, more fundamentally, as an organic and intellectually, culturally, and economically integrated global community.'
He is on to something. At its heart, ummatic soft power is about stitching together the ummah into a formidable power from which political institutions arise.
Your thoughts?
I think whenever we talk in terms of Ummah and Ummatic power, we overlook our role as individuals. When the prophet PBUH says that we are like a building where each block strengthens the other, we often neglect that "I" as an individual need to be a source of strength. This is not to say we can't/shouldn't think collectively, rather that we shouldn't bemoan the Ummah or even expect an ummah when the building blocks are weak.
I recently came across an Arabic saying which draws attention to moving instead of being static ‘ fil harakah barakah’ .