Brother Faisal: Islamic World ATL

hasdrubal barca

Brother Faisal: Islamic World Alternate Timeline

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Intro

King Faisal al Saud ascended to the throne of Saudi Arabia in November, 1964. A simple pious man, Faisal, had only reluctantly accepted leadership of the Saudi state. He was said to have even disliked the title of king wishing to be referred to simply as brother Faisal.

Domestically, Faisal became know as the great modernizer who attempted to bring Saudi Arabia into the 20th century. He worked vigorously to end slavery, improved women rights and lessened discrimination targeting the Shiite minority. Under Faisal's leadership, the groundwork was set for the modern Saudi economy and welfare state.

On the world stage, King Faisal was faced with numerous crisis from the onset of his rule. Faisal, having fought in a number military campaigns and having represented his country overseas on numerous occasions, was found to be a most capable leader for his country.

The most pressing challenge facing the kingdom was the wave of Pan-Arab Nationalism then sweeping the region. Under the influence of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Arab revolutionaries took action in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. The regicide of the Iraqi royal family and deposition of the Yemeni King had set frightening precedence.

In order to counter what he saw as a radical communist inspired movement, Faisal developed his own ideas of conservative Pan-Islamism. Faisal's dreamed of binding not only the Arab world but the entire Islamic world together.
 
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hasdrubal barca

Part 1: Unity

No event more influenced Faisal's world view then the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. The fall of the West Bank, the Golan Heights, the Sinai and most importantly East Jerusalem to the Israelis had left him depressed and angry. The Saudi Monarchy had always seen itself as the guardians of Islam's holiest sites including the Al Aqsa Mosque in now occupied Jerusalem. The pain was made even worse in August, 1969 with an arson attack that left the Mosque damaged

This event was felt deeply by Faisal and in response he called for the creation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. All the Islamic World heeded Faisal's call to arms, with the exception of Egypt, Syria and Iraq ,and arrived in Rabat, Morocco to discuss the matter. Addressing representatives from throughout the Islamic, King Faisal delivered an Impassioned speech about the three fold threats of Western Imperialism, Communism and Zionism.

"It is in these moments, when Islam is facing many undercurrents that are pulling Muslims left and right, east and west, that we need time for more cooperation and closer ties to enable us to face all the problems and difficulties that obstruct our way as an Islamic nation believing in God, his prophet and his laws.

We cannot and will not ignore the forces which oppose our efforts today. There are the evil and sinister forces of imperialism, Zionism and Communism. As to imperialism it opposes our preaching of Islam because it knows that Islam is a religion of brotherhood, a religion of peace, a religion of love and a religion of equality. As to the forces of Zionism, they know that cooperation between Muslims would put an end to their expansionist ideas in the Arab and Islamic World. As for Communists, they are attacking us because the Islamic movement is going to destroy all that Communism stands for.

In the future I am absolutely sure the Muslims will uphold their religion, unify their ranks and cooperate in righteousness and piety."

All member states present agreed to boost ties and cooperate in the future. It was agreed upon that the most pressing concern facing the Islamic world was the occupation of Arab territories by Israel, this they were determined to rectify.

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Gudestein

Interesting concept. Not the first to see himself as a unifier of Islam. What makes his claim received better?

Also, admittedly, my knowledge of this period is limited. As I had understood it Egypt were preparing for the next war. Why are they not participating?
 

alpha

Gudestein said:
Interesting concept. Not the first to see himself as a unifier of Islam. What makes his claim received better?

Also, admittedly, my knowledge of this period is limited. As I had understood it Egypt were preparing for the next war. Why are they not participating?
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Yes, i dont know a lot about this time as well. Usually Gamel Abdel Nasser was portrayed as a hero but it would be interetsing to see from another POV
 

hasdrubal barca

Gudestein said:
Interesting concept. Not the first to see himself as a unifier of Islam. What makes his claim received better?

Also, admittedly, my knowledge of this period is limited. As I had understood it Egypt were preparing for the next war. Why are they not participating?
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Thanks for the comment.

Faisal is presenting the Islamic world with a calmer path to unity that everyone can embrace.

The Nasserist's tended to be more radical and many times alienated people. They couldn't get much support from Arab monarchies and the upper class due to their socialist polices. In the aftermath the United Arab Republic's break up, the Yemen War and the Six Day War, Nasser's power is fading fast. With Nasser's death in 1970, Egypt and Saudi relations improved greatly, Sadat and Faisal were actually close friends.

My next post will deal with Egypt and hopefully answer any questions on this front. :)
 

hasdrubal barca

Part 2: Death of Nasser

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Egyptian President Abdel Nasser assumed power in 1952 and soon after became the most popular Arab leader. His overthrow of the monarchy and his defeat of the Western Powers in the 1956 Suez War had made him a superstar.

By the 1960's however is power was starting to fade. His plans for a United Arab Republic were dashed by the 1961 coup in Syria. He had plunged Egypt into the bloody North Yemen Civil War, which would leave over 27,000 Egyptian soldiers dead. The event that finally broke Nasser was the 1967 War, Egyptian forces were crushed. Though he was still able to hang onto power Nasser was a broken man. His best friend Abdel Amer had committed suicide over the defeat and his health was failing fast.

Faisal had positioned himself to fill the void in leadership in the wake of Nasser's decline. The Saudi King had no particular hatred of Nasser, in fact he had first hoped they could work together. Nasser however was blinded by his hatred for the Arab monarchies, at one point even saying that his "soldiers shoes have more honor then the crowns of Jordan and Saudi Arabia."

When Nasser finally died in September, 1970 King Faisal shed no tears. While all of the other Arab leaders rushed to Cairo for his funeral, King Faisal did not attend and said the following statement "The only Arab leader on whom I attached great hopes was Abdul Nasser but I'm sorry to say he stabbed me in the back."

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hasdrubal barca

Part 3: The New Pharaoh

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Nasser was succeeded as President of Egypt by Vice President Anwar Sadat. Sadat's character can be described as that of an opportunist. He was not a harden ideologue and cared nothing for the radical socialism practiced by his predecessor. Sadat always focused on what he thought was best for Egypt whether it was popular or not.

One of Sadat's first visitors on taking office was the Director of Saudi Intelligence Kamal Adham. Sadat and Adham had been friends for over a decade, the two men discussed reestablishing normalize relations and increasing ties between the two countries. Adham reported back to King Faisal that Sadat could be counted on as an ally in the future. It was a surprise to King Faisal when, that next May, Sadat signed a treaty of friendship with the Soviet Union.

Faisal hated "godless communism" and was extremely distraught over Sadat's actions. The Saudi King personally flew to Cairo to speak with the Egyptian President. Meeting at the El Quba Palace, Faisal stated his concerns. Sadat assured him that he had no love for the Soviet Union was only doing this to counter United States arms shipments to Israel. This answer at least partially satisfied Faisal who returned to Riyadh soon after. Over the next year the Saudis kept up pressure on Sadat to weaken his ties with the Soviet Union. It was to the Faisal's relief when Sadat in July of 1972 boldly expelled all Soviet advisers from Egypt. Faisal for all his efforts had finally gotten Egypt back on the right track.

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traveller76

traveller76

Pressure

hasdrubal barca said:
Part 3: The New Pharaoh

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Over the next year the Saudis kept up pressure on Sadat to weaken his ties with the Soviet Union. It was to the Faisal's relief when Sadat in July of 1972 boldly expelled all Soviet advisers from Egypt. Faisal for all his efforts had finally gotten Egypt back on the right track.

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Would the Saudi's be willing to supply Egypt with oil at a set price? What other kind of pressures could the Kingdom bring on Egypt?
 

hasdrubal barca

traveller76 said:
Would the Saudi's be willing to supply Egypt with oil at a set price? What other kind of pressures could the Kingdom bring on Egypt?
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Perhaps, it might be easier to just lower the royalty and tax on whats going to Egypt.

The biggest leverage Saudi Arabia has over Egypt is foreign aid and economic assistance. In 1970's 23% of Saudi GDP is allocated to foreign aid. Most of the money going Egypt's way is for Al Azhar and fixing up the devastated Suez zone. The Egyptian economy was shaky under Sadat they could use the help. Basically the same situation as we have today:http://english.alarabiya.net/en/bus...announces-4-billion-aid-package-to-Egypt.html
 
Zeugma

Zeugma

I'm curious about what will happen to Israel. It seems like Faisal's conscience won't let him do nothing about it, and he does look to be on track to amassing a good deal of political power in the Middle East.
 

Tom_B

Very interesting esp. since I am so tired of Surviving OE WI's which are mostly Screw the Saudis fantasies.
 

hasdrubal barca

Part 4: Meeting in Jeddah

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In September, 1971 another meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was called. Leaders from throughout the Islamic World gathered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia which was henceforth established as the official meeting place of the organization.

The conference was held at the request of Sudanese President Gaafar Nimeiry. That previous July, Communists had attempted a coup against Nimeiry's government. The Communist rebels had achieved early success seizing the Sudanese capital of Khartoum. Nimeiry appealed to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and Egyptian President Sadat for assistance and in under a week the coup was crushed. The Islamic states were greatly disturbed by this event and together discussed the danger communism represented. The coup attempt also pushed both Libya and Egypt to adopt more Islamist positions and conduct anti atheism campaigns.

In Jeddah, the member states elected Malaysian politician Tunku Rahman as the organization's first Secretary General. Rahman had supported Islamic welfare organizations for decades and was seen as a bridge to Muslims living outside the Arab world.

A whole slew of new measures were also adopted, including the establishment of an official Islamic News Agency, an Islamic Solidarity Fund, an Islamic Monetary Fund and an Islamic Common Market. Funds were disturbed to the Muslim World League and for the creation of a joint arms industry in Cairo. Not all of these agreed upon measures would come into quick fruition but it was a big step forward on the road to unity.
 
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hasdrubal barca

OhNo said:
I wonder what would happen with Turkey. Being a secular republic at the time i dont think they'd be super into the whole unified islam thing
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My next post i'll talk more about Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran.

Turkey is a member of the organization, they would be against Islamism being imposed on their country but would probably be alright with general Muslim Unity. King Faisal did have good connections with Turkey, his main wife was Turkish.
 
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