In one way it is a good sign, indirectly, for the Saudi initiative in South Asia, as the OIC is a dummy and could not make its mark in the global arena so far, obviously due to the aloofness of the oil-rich Islamic countries, which earn their dollars in the Western world, and keep their earnings there.

This friendly exploitation of energy resources by the rich developed countries is a sad sign of the decline of Islamic domination prevailing for a millennium, as revealed by history. The world is sensitive to the potential prowess of the Muslims, and the West is trying to suppress their aspirations and possible return to glory. Today, the OIC is suffering from severe disparities and communication gaps. It has to learn the hard way how to unite and present one front, and safeguard their territories and natural resources.

It has dawned on the Western world that China and India hold the keys to the coming decades (combined population over two billions). The way the West is treating Iran (after Iraq) is clear enough. The chess game in Pakistan misfired, and Bangladesh is on the short-list (India has been wooed in a non-vegetarian way, perhaps.).

We in Dhaka badly need ' political consensus at the national level' but party aspirations are sabotaging patriotic approach. The so-called leaders have to rise to the demands of the times so that the millions of voters feel motivated during the coming general elections.