We face many challenges, yet we know that none of them is without a solution. It is not others, but we ourselves who must open the way forward.

Three alifs, when standing separately, each have a value of one. But when those same three alifs stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder upon the same line, their value and strength become one hundred and eleven.

The devoted and determined members of this Ummah must therefore come together around a common purpose and a shared objective, and reunite the two ends of the broken rosary.

For Islamic unity (Ittihad al-Islam), as it has always been—and particularly in our time—is an essential religious duty.

From Jakarta to Istanbul; from Astana to Baghdad and Damascus; from Makkah and Madinah to Cairo, Tripoli and Casablanca, the heirs of a magnificent civilisation continue, by the grace of Allah, to safeguard the trust entrusted to them despite every adversity.

Beyond artificial borders, they come together with an awareness of the magnificent breadth of their own cultural geography—a geography permeated with the spirit of brotherhood and embracing the entire world.

Despite all forces of evil, we pray that Almighty Allah grant us success in maintaining and strengthening this unity and solidarity.

The Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) is a movement of dedicated endeavour shaped precisely in this spirit and direction. It is a mobilisation for Tawhid and unity.

Our region both needs and is compelled to know one another better, to develop sustainable projects together, to take responsibility for its own homeland, and to determine its own future.

In today’s global environment, international centres of power seek to shape a geography fragmented into ever smaller pieces—weak and increasingly vulnerable to external influence. Through maps of their own making, they seek to divide its wealth and, in particular, exercise control over its energy and raw-material resources and strategic corridors as they wish.

The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have shaped a new world order through an approach largely driven by their own national interests. Unfortunately, our world has become one of the principal victims and targets of this structure.

Consider Hilf al-Fudul, the historic alliance established to stand against injustice and defend the oppressed. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) valued it so greatly that even after receiving Prophethood, he affirmed that if he were called to such an alliance again, he would support it. What a profound contrast there is between an institution that stood resolutely beside the oppressed and an international system that can, at times, enable or fail to prevent grave injustices.

Despite possessing such abundant resources, many of our people remain in poverty. Our societies can overcome this condition only by combining their strengths and undertaking a serious, comprehensive and high-quality educational mobilisation.

Discord does not befit the followers of the religion of Tawhid. The heirs of this magnificent civilisation, whom our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) described as one Ummah, must establish and preserve this unity and solidarity.

UNIW was founded precisely for this purpose—as a project of unity.

We are like the stones of a single building. Our mission is to ensure sustainable development, unity and coordination among civil society organisations throughout the Islamic world; to contribute to the establishment of justice, peace and stability across the globe; to safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals and societies; and to undertake activities that promote Islamic culture and values.

With Allah’s permission, we will achieve these objectives together, through cooperation, solidarity and collective endeavour.

May Almighty Allah be our helper and guide on this blessed path.

Eyüp Akbal
Secretary General
Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW)