Global solidarity will ensure survival of humanity

Emeritus Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
Opinion - New Straits Times
April 27, 2020

Last week, two very important interrelated events took place without much fanfare given the Covid dampening outlook and preoccupation. The outbreak continues to create anxiety worldwide as the number of death increases, so too those affected, this time involving countries which was earlier cited as examples but now facing reinfected cases.

While some world leaders are at loss in deciding which path to take, others keep practicing social and political distancing, rather than socio-political solidarity - something that is very much needed to strike against the common invisible enemy. The confusion, therefore, gets aggravated over time.

This seems to be the case as the global situation degenerates from bad to worst at the instance of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd. Among this is the raging climate crisis, the loss of vital life resources (air, water, fertile ground), massive food wastage and as well as the ever-widening disparities that make a mockery of the cliche - no one is left behind.

It is rather difficult to see how the mantra could be met without putting those issues right in the first place. Take, for example, the lack of water as a vital resource when washing hands (let alone using soap) is life-and-death determinant in the fight against Covid-19. In other words, some have been left behind for decades, and to save them now from water woes is very difficult, if at all possible in the short-medium run.

Otherwise they remain vulnerable. After all, the loss of life resources cannot be decoupled from the impact of climate change per se. And thus affecting the availability of food produce which is on high demand in the face of lockdowns and the closing of the economy. Yet, ironically, food continues to be wasted in many fronts, depriving those in dire needs.

That said, the Earth Day messages received very dismal articulation as a long term strategy against the pandemic. Though we are pleasantly surprised to know how the lockdowns do bring noticeable positive changes in environmental pollution as well as the toxic gas emissions, they are rather transitionary in nature.

Even local major rivers were said to have "improved" when this is seems almost impossible previously. Simply said, connecting as many of the dots as possible can create a better option, and opens up larger vista for action globally. In turn, reaching out to many more without incurring much cost.

That is, by merely changing lifestyles, priorities and bringing back the balance and harmony in a world that is at a tipping point due to the on-going indiscriminate divides and discrimination. Here is where the second event falls neatly into place almost simultaneously with the Earth Day.

And waiting to be connected as the commencement of Ramadan call for measures to fortify oneself from being infected. This is through the act of self-reflection, seclusion, submission and solidarity for the survival of planet Earth and all of its inhabitants.

Each of the 5Ss is a mission and values-based action that supports the overarching goals in demonstrating that "no one left behind" is indeed doable and achievable. The proviso however is to "revisit" the many things that have been taken for granted.

For this, a personalised holistic Ramadan "lockdown" is highly recommended to ensure that the 5Ss become rigorously activated for change, beyond any belief or religion in the struggle to save the human species. For example, self-reflection means taking responsibility in making the change possible as a committed response to the tragic predicament that one is in.

Bear in mind, to break the chain of Covid transmission, is to shield one another from the virus. The Ramadan is just the time to deeply understand what such simple acts can do protect and promote life. For this, physical (home) isolation or distancing (read seclusion) is imperative, meaning avoiding unnecessary exposure to public places like that of the conventional Pasar Ramadan.

Here discipline is the keyword for purposeful mobility as part of the change needed involving not only physically, but mentally too. In other words, it is to submit for a higher purpose of living embedded in values like empathy, moderation and compassion that are synonymous to the blessed Ramadan.

Such values are potent impulses to eliminate the existing disparities and divides when properly understood and habitually practised. They are the basis of global solidarity which will in the final analysis ensures the survival of humanity in the post-pandemic phase by connecting all the dots.

The writer, an NST columnist for more than 20 years, is International Islamic University Malaysia rector