Regional cooperation from an Islamic perspective: the case of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

Bendebka, Ramzi (2019) Regional cooperation from an Islamic perspective: the case of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In: International Conference on Islamic Management and Multidisciplinary Studies (IMAMS 2019), 3rd August 2019, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.

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Abstract

Regional experiences have certain assumptions in common and have been framed within a common globalist perspective. Nevertheless, each regional cooperation process has its own distinctive features. This diversity reflects the differential local characteristics of regionalism which need to be included in any discussion about the subject. The case of the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) stands out clearly in this context. This study addresses two major research questions. Firstly, what is the Islamic perspective on regional cooperation? secondly, is there any role of Islam in reshaping MENA’s regional cooperation? The objectives are to investigate the Islamic perspective of regional cooperation with regard to MENA and to examine the role of Islam in shaping MENA’s cooperation. This study uses Islamic perspective and regional cooperation as its conceptual framework. It is found that despite some positive motives of regionalism, MENA suffers from poor regionalism. It is characterised by slow and weak regional cooperation process and the absence or less dependency on Islamic values. On the other hand, the dependence of MENA on the political processes and economic development of the West; conflicts and weak governance; and the suffering in promoting a collective identity have continued to preserve the MENA region as an under-developed, less integrated and poorly cohesive regional unit.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Plenary Papers)
Additional Information:	9068/73804
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Regional cooperation, Islamic perspective, regionalism, MENA region
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory > HB126.4 Islamic Economics J Political Science > JZ International relations
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Fundamental and Inter-Disciplinary Studies (Effective: 5th Feb 2014)
Depositing User:	Dr Ramzi Bendebka
Date Deposited:	23 Sep 2019 10:29
Last Modified:	26 Feb 2020 14:55
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/73804

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