Sovereignty Amongst Nations, Solidarity Amongst People

Sovereignty Amongst Nations, Solidarity Amongst People

Kuala Lumpur Conference
On New Just and Humane International Order
14 – 15 th October 2025

By Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
President, Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM)

In the unfolding history of humankind, two parallel moral imperatives stand as the foundation of global order: sovereignty amongst nations and solidarity amongst people. These principles are inseparable if humanity is to advance towards peace, justice, and dignity. The first upholds the right of every nation to self-determination and independence. The second calls upon the conscience of all peoples to unite across borders in defense of the oppressed.

Today, these twin principles are under systematic assault. The very architecture of the post-war international system — built ostensibly on the Charter of the United Nations — has been eroded by hegemonic powers that preach sovereignty but violate it, that speak of peace but perpetuate war, that invoke democracy but support tyranny when it serves their interests.

The Violation of Sovereignty: A Global Crisis

From the Middle East to Africa, from Latin America to Southeast Asia, the same pattern repeats: economic coercion, political interference, military occupation, and cultural domination. The once sacred principle of non-interference has been replaced by a doctrine of selective intervention. Nations are bullied into compliance, their policies dictated by financial institutions and geopolitical interests that care little for the will of their people.

The tragedy of Palestine stands as the most glaring testimony to the collapse of international law. For over seven decades, the Palestinian people have been denied the very sovereignty that the world claims to defend. Their land has been occupied, their homes destroyed, their leaders assassinated, and their children slaughtered — all under the watchful silence of a world order that rewards the aggressor and punishes the victim.

Israel, backed by the military and political might of the United States and its allies, continues to violate every norm of sovereignty and humanity. The genocide in Gaza, the illegal annexation of Jerusalem, and the blockade imposed on millions of civilians expose the hypocrisy of a system that claims to defend human rights. Yet, no sanctions are imposed, no tribunals convened, and no real accountability demanded.

If sovereignty means anything at all, it must first and foremost protect those who are weak against those who wield power unjustly. The global community cannot remain silent while the sovereignty of Palestine is erased by bombs and bulldozers.

Solidarity Amongst People: The Moral Force of Humanity

Against this backdrop of oppression, another force rises — one that transcends governments and speaks in the name of humanity. It is the solidarity of people. From Kuala Lumpur to Cape Town, from Istanbul to Jakarta, from London to New York, millions have taken to the streets in defense of Gaza, calling not only for a ceasefire but for justice and liberation.

This solidarity movement is not bound by religion or nationality. It is a shared cry for dignity. When governments fail, people step forward. When the institutions of power collapse under corruption and hypocrisy, the moral power of the masses becomes the final line of defense for truth.

History shows that people’s solidarity has always been the engine of change — whether in the anti-colonial movements of Asia and Africa, the civil rights struggle in the United States, or the anti-apartheid revolution in South Africa. Today, the same spirit animates the global resistance against Zionism, neocolonialism, and imperial domination.

The Role of the Global South

For too long, the voice of the Global South has been marginalized in international discourse. Yet it is from these lands — rich in culture, faith, and resilience — that a new moral order must emerge. The nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America must reaffirm their sovereignty by rejecting the dictates of global hegemony and by building alliances grounded in justice, equality, and mutual respect.

Malaysia, Indonesia, Türkiye, Iran, and others must lead this revival of collective dignity — not by militarism, but by asserting moral leadership. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and emerging regional blocs must transform from passive observers into active defenders of oppressed nations.

Sovereignty is not isolation. It is the foundation upon which nations can engage with one another on the basis of equality. The future of international relations depends on mutual respect — not domination.

Reclaiming the People’s Agency

True sovereignty is not only a matter of statehood; it is about the empowerment of people. No nation can claim sovereignty while its citizens are impoverished, silenced, or subjugated by corruption and injustice. Sovereignty begins at home — in the ability of a people to determine their economic path, protect their cultural identity, and defend their moral values.

At the same time, solidarity among people cannot be reduced to slogans or temporary outrage. It must translate into sustainable action: humanitarian aid, boycott and divestment campaigns, educational mobilization, and diplomatic advocacy. Every citizen of conscience must see themselves as part of a global movement to defend human dignity.

MAPIM’s commitment to this cause is grounded in the belief that the ummah — and indeed all of humanity — is one body. When one part suffers, the rest cannot remain indifferent. The liberation of Palestine is not merely a political issue; it is a test of our humanity.

Towards a Humane World Order

The world we live in today is at a crossroads. On one side lies the path of domination — where might makes right, where the powerful rewrite the laws to suit their ambitions. On the other lies the path of justice — where nations respect each other’s sovereignty, and peoples unite to protect the weak.

A humane world order must be founded upon:

1. Justice as the supreme principle — no peace without justice.
2. Equality of nations — rejecting the hierarchy of power that defines today’s geopolitics.
3. The sanctity of life — no justification for collective punishment or occupation.
4. The moral agency of the people — solidarity that bridges borders, faiths, and races.

It is time to move beyond the empty rhetoric of summits and declarations. The world must act to restore moral legitimacy to international governance. The United Nations must be reformed to serve people, not power. The global economic order must be restructured to ensure equity and sustainability.

Conclusion: The Call of Our Time

The struggle for sovereignty and solidarity is not an abstract ideal — it is the defining struggle of our age. It is the struggle of Palestine, Kashmir, Sudan, Myanmar, and all peoples denied their right to live in freedom and dignity.

As nations, we must defend our sovereignty. As people, we must build our solidarity. The two cannot be separated. For sovereignty without solidarity leads to isolation; solidarity without sovereignty leads to chaos.

Let us, therefore, commit to a vision of the world where every nation stands tall in its dignity, and every people stands together in compassion.

The hour demands courage — moral courage to speak truth to power, to resist tyranny, and to rebuild a world where sovereignty and solidarity walk hand in hand.