The Rape of OPEC by the west

[showkot]

OPEC - Easy Prey

Last week saw Europe hit by a major oil crisis. Widespread protests against the high tax imposed on petrol and diesel, paralysed major cities, and petrol stations in the whole of Britain, went dry. Under a barrage of fierce criticism from the people, European governments true to form, deflected accusations of greed by blaming others - they said it was OPEC's fault.

Amazingly, European governments make between 200% - 500% more profit per barrel than do the OPEC countries which actually produce the oil. British petrol taxes amounts to 75% of the price of petrol at the pump. Despite this, Schroeder of Germany, Blair of Britain and Maria Aznar of Spain firmly refuses any cuts on duty, instead they intend to use the summit of the G7 finance ministers to force OPEC to increase production so as to bring the price of crude oil down. Schroeder told reporters, "We will try together, perhaps via Ecofin but also via G7, to develop ideas which will lead to a process in which oil production will be adjusted to the needs of the global economy," When Europe talks about 'global economy' read 'western (European) self interest'.



OPEC has the right to sell her goods at what ever price she wishes. Capitalism dictates of free markets and supply and demand not withstanding, European governments insist OPEC is the culprit, and when the western colonial masters bark, OPEC must obey. Again, our mineral wealth, and our lands are to be sucked dry and then be hawked at a measly price dictated by the west. What grates at our throats even more is that it is our own leaders that give away our oil to those that harbour nothing but hatred and jealousy toward us. Effectively, we are to subsidise the growth, progress and life style of the west, whilst poverty, persecution and backwardness persists in our lands.


Comparison of Oil use in the world

Why is OPEC so weak? The truth is, this loose aggregate of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Iran, Qatar, Nigeria, Libya, Algeria, Indonesia and Venezuela was established by the west to facilitate the managing and manipulation of the price of oil. Despite the potential power of OPEC (producing approximately 38% of the worlds supply of oil) it has no ideological basis, and thus lacks direction, purpose and a clear objective other than the western objectives which it dutifully accommodates.

There are at least two other issues here that one could immediately raise. The first being the ownership of the natural resources such as oil. Rasulullah SAW said: 'The people share in 3 things, water, pasture and fire' Islam, firmly puts the ownership and the wealth of our mineral resources in the hands of the Ummah. It is not to be sold to private companies, nor is it the property nor the prerogative of the ruler of the day to dispose of as he wishes. Secondly, the limits of taxation is defined by Shari'ah and not by temporary governments playing to short termism and the obsessions of re-election and the requisite election 'war chest', as is the case in Britain and other capitalist governments.

Rasulullah SAW established the Ummah of Islam, upon the firm and unshakeable Aqeedah of ISLAM. From it we draw our purpose, systems for life emerged and solutions to life's problems obtained. Without this Deen and doctrine, we drift and are enslaved becoming mere milking cows and victims of the west.