By Qamar Bashir
Press Secretary to the President (Rtd)
Former Press Minister at Embassy of Pakistan to France
Former MD, SRBC
Macomb, Michigan, USA
Once described in orientalist literature as a land of tents, sand dunes, and nomads, the Muslim world—especially the Middle East—has today transformed into a region of dazzling skylines, cutting-edge infrastructure, and dynamic centers of innovation and power. This renaissance, though gradual, is gaining undeniable momentum, shifting global power alignments and altering perceptions long held in Western political and academic circles.
From Riyadh to Kuala Lumpur, from Istanbul to Islamabad, a new wave of Muslim leadership is challenging the old tropes of backwardness and stagnation. The world is witnessing not only the rebirth of Muslim states as sovereign power centers but also the rise of Muslim diasporas as influential contributors in politics, science, economics, and culture across the West.
The Arabian Peninsula, once the symbol of barren landscapes and tribal simplicity, now boasts some of the world’s most sophisticated cities. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh are now homes to gleaming skyscrapers, smart cities, and high-tech financial hubs. The tallest buildings in the world rise from the same sands that once hosted nomadic tribes. What has driven this transformation is not merely oil wealth, but visionary leadership determined to diversify economies, embrace technological innovation, and play assertive roles on the world stage.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, exemplifies this ambition. It is not just a plan of economic reform but a blueprint to reposition the Kingdom as a global cultural, technological, and diplomatic powerhouse. In a historic gesture, President Donald Trump—during his recent visit to the Kingdom—referred to the Crown Prince as “an incredible man” and a “great representative of the Saudi people,” applauding him for transforming Saudi Arabia in ways that have stunned even seasoned global business leaders. Trump repeatedly emphasized the unparalleled hospitality and strategic foresight of the Saudi royal family, calling King Salman “a great man” and describing the transformation of the Kingdom as “something the world has never seen before.”
Trump’s decision to commence his new diplomatic agenda from Saudi Arabia, while bypassing other traditional giants like China, India, and Russia, signifies a profound geopolitical recalibration. His praise was not limited to polite diplomacy; it reflected a genuine recognition of the Kingdom’s newfound global weight.
What was once seen by the West as a region of camel caravans is now being courted by the most powerful man on the planet, not just for oil, but for investment, trade partnerships, and geopolitical leverage. In an extraordinary reversal of roles, the U.S. President appealed to Saudi Arabia’s leadership to use its regional clout for brokering peace in Ukraine, promoting stability in the Middle East, and enabling economic partnerships worth trillions of dollars. Trump openly acknowledged that the Kingdom’s “other industries have surpassed oil” and that its cities are now “global capitals of business, culture, and high-tech innovation.” He declared the Middle East the new “center of the world” and said the world must now look at the region not as a source of chaos, but of opportunity, vision, and peace.
Perhaps the most remarkable resurgence has been that of Pakistan. Long seen as economically fragile and politically unstable, Pakistan has demonstrated exceptional resilience and strategic clarity in recent conflicts. Its military strength, underpinned by indigenous missile systems, integrated communication warfare, cyber capabilities, and soft-power operations, has outclassed much larger adversaries in the region.
Pakistan’s ability to neutralize advanced aerial threats, jam enemy missile systems mid-air, and redirect hostile drones illustrates a level of strategic maturity and technological sophistication unseen in many developing nations. These feats have not only impressed observers but have also forced a recalibration of Pakistan’s status in the global military order—potentially placing it among the top five global powers in terms of operational integration and agility.
Turkey, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has emerged as a formidable force combining military prowess with economic resilience. Ankara has invested heavily in its defense industry, becoming nearly self-sufficient in producing drones, tanks, missiles, and naval assets. It has expanded its geopolitical influence from the Eastern Mediterranean to Central Asia and Africa.
Beyond the Middle East and South Asia, Southeast Asia’s Muslim nations are also experiencing their renaissance. Malaysia and Indonesia once economically marginalized, have undergone dramatic transformation and are rising to become a knowledge-based, technologically advanced, and globally respected nation.
Despite decades of crushing sanctions and international isolation, Iran remains a resilient player. It has developed a formidable indigenous defense industry and maintains strategic leverage across the Middle East—from Iraq to Syria, Lebanon to Yemen. Its ability to withstand economic warfare and maintain sovereignty without capitulation is a testament to the Iranian people’s willpower and the state’s internal strength.
Central Asian republics like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan—many of which have Muslim majorities—are now leveraging their Soviet-era scientific heritage and rich natural resources to build modern states. They are investing in technology, education, and multilateral diplomacy. These nations are quietly emerging as energy hubs, cultural centers, and diplomatic players, strengthening the overall Islamic bloc.
The Muslim renaissance is not confined to the traditional geography of Muslim nations. Across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe, Muslims are making their mark in business, academia, politics, and media. In the U.S., Muslim lawmakers are gaining visibility, Muslim doctors and scientists are leading research in top universities, and Muslim entrepreneurs are disrupting tech and commerce sectors.
This diaspora is now shaping global narratives, challenging Islamophobia, and offering new paradigms of inclusive progress. They serve as bridges between civilizations, demonstrating that Islam and modernity are not only compatible but mutually reinforcing.
In essence, the global order is shifting, and the Islamic world is no longer on the sidelines. Through sustained economic development, strategic diplomacy, technological advancement, and cultural revival, Muslim nations are repositioning themselves as equal stakeholders in shaping the 21st century.
What binds this diverse group—from Morocco to Malaysia—is a shared sense of purpose, a revived confidence, and a collective ambition to shape a future grounded in dignity, power, and progress.
As President Trump’s visit underscored, the world must now acknowledge a new reality: the Muslim world is no longer rising—it has risen. And those once dismissed as “Bedouins” are now courted by the West to help resolve the most pressing issues of our time.
