Kosovo.

Some time ago, I was speaking to 2 undergrads about random stuff, and somehow the Palestinian issue came up. I asked them their opinions with regards to it. Their response saddened me: they were both nonchalant about it, and didn't really took an interest in it.

Which begs the question: what happened to the 'ukhwa' (brotherhood) of the Muslims? I'm sure those 2 are not the only ones; in fact they be more of the majority than the exceptions. While there could be a thousand different reasons for such a phenomenon, the purpose of this entry is not to discuss those reasons: rather just to shed some light on the issue of our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters in Kosovo.

Some background: Kosovo is a region in the Balkans, near to Serbia and Albania. It has a population of about 2 million, most of whom are Muslims, while their ethnicity is mostly Albanian.

Kosovo was previously a self-governing region, under Serbia's rule. However last month, its parliament had a vote, and they have unilaterally declared independence from Serbia. The older ones among us might remember the genocide case that took place in Kosovo: "courtesy" of then Yugoslav PM Slobodan Milosevic, who died while in UN custody (he was convicted by the international court for his crimes).

Anyway, Europe and the US have moved swiftly to recognize Kosovo's independence. Few weeks ago, I read an article in the Wall Street Journal, which stated, and I quote: "The US have yet again ushered the path for the independence of a Muslim nation, not that the Muslim world is going to give them any credit for it." (By the way I cannot remember of any Muslim nation being "ushered" to independence by the US, maybe you guys can enlighten me) While the sarcasm is scarcely appreciated, I
have to concede that this time the US have indeed helped Kosovo aplenty (though deep down I question their motives; whether they really believe in right to self-determination or as always, they have a hidden agenda). However, if the US wants credit from the Muslim world for helping 2 million Muslims gain independence (and they have a right to demand so), then the US must also admit responsibility for destroying the lives of 27 million Iraqis, 31 million Afghans and 3.5 million Palestinians, among others, for its their policies which have caused utter chaos and destruction in these countries.

Back to Kosovo, it is unlikely that they will get UN recognition soon, since Russia, a permanent member of the UN security council and thus have veto power, is a close ally of Serbia, and both of them have strongly objected to Kosovo's declaration of independence, labelling it as 'illegal'.

What is interesting is that barring Turkey, Albania and Malaysia, most Islamic nations have not recognised Kosovo's independence. Most of them have given their official reply as,"Waiting for the UN's verdict." Now I don't know whether these nations actually respect international law and thus refuse to recognise Kosovo's independence without UN approval, or they are just spineless countries, who do not dare make decisions even if it was for the betterment of their Muslim brothers and sisters. Then again, if Muslim countries were not spineless, Palestinians would have had a country of their own long, long ago.

I hope that enlightened some of you about this issue. My take-home message is; Please bother about events around the world, when they involve fellow Muslims. Because if we don't, then who will?