Is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization an Organization Established to Confront Islam?
(Translated)
Al-Rayah Newspaper - Issue 617 - 16/09/2026
By: Ustadh Aqeel Bik Ishaqov

On September 1st, the regular summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in the city of Bishkek, where the main agenda was dedicated to discussing the prospects of developing the organization in the upcoming phase. At the conclusion of the summit, the Bishkek Declaration was signed on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the launch of the organization's trajectory, alongside 28 documents aimed at enhancing multilateral cooperation and developing its operational mechanisms.

As this event has drawn global public attention, it is necessary to examine the true reality and objectives of the organization, and to evaluate it from an Islamic perspective.

The organization began its journey under the name of the Shanghai Five in 1996, with the participation of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, where these countries signed an agreement to reduce armed forces in border areas and cooperate in combating terrorism. In 2001, Uzbekistan joined, whereupon the organization's name was changed to its current title. With Chinese President Xi Jinping launching the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, China began effectively utilizing the organization to serve its own projects. Since 2015, the alliance has continued to expand with the accession of India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus, bringing its membership to ten countries at present.

The organization’s member states account for nearly 35% of global Gross Domestic Product, which is equivalent to 20 trillion dollars. Their territories stretch across two-thirds of Eurasia, and they conduct joint military exercises on an almost annual basis.

This summit held in Bishkek comes at a time when China’s position is strengthening, while Russia is weakening due to the war in Ukraine and amid the state of war against Iran. Ever since the attack launched by the U.S. and the Jewish entity against Iran on February 28 of this year, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has been unable to move beyond issuing an official statement. This is due to the inability of the organization's member states to adopt a unified stance.

India, for example, maintains close ties with the West and the Jewish entity. Meanwhile, Pakistan strives hard to serve American interests by playing the role of mediator in the Iranian crisis. On the other hand, Russia, China, and the Central Asian states aim only to maintain their commercial relations with Iran.

The positions of the member states also differ regarding the Ukrainian crisis, as the majority of them demand the preservation of territorial integrity and a peaceful solution, which was reflected in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to Russian President Putin during their meeting on the sidelines of the organization’s proceedings. Added to this are the recurring border disputes between Pakistan and India on one side, and between China and India on the other.

However, there is a single objective and threat that unifies all member states of the organization: the Islamic Ummah that is growing in awareness day by day, and the second Khilafah Rashidah (rightly-guided Caliphate) on the Method of the Prophethood that it seeks to establish. From this standpoint, these states are waging an unrelenting war within their territories against the unity of Muslims and their understanding of Islam. For instance, China has transformed the region of East Turkestan into an open-air prison for millions of Muslims from amongst Uyghurs and the people of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. There, men who perform Salah and grow beards face persecution, and Muslim women who fast and wear the hijab are detained in re-education camps. Furthermore, a campaign aimed at completely severing the younger generation from Islam and the local traditions continues unabated. China justifies all these measures as actions to combat extremism, separatism, and terrorism.

The persecution of Muslims in India by the mushrik Hindu regime, particularly in Occupied Kashmir, is no less severe than what is practiced by the Chinese regime and the Jewish entity. Incidents frequently occur in which criminals influenced by the regime’s media warfare murder and assault Muslims while they perform their Salah. Moreover, the betrayal and weak stance of the Pakistani authority encourage the Indian regime to enact and enforce laws that oppress Muslims in Occupied Kashmir. In Russia as well, Muslims face difficulties that are no less severe. Russia uses the pretext of terrorism primarily to suppress Muslims in the Caucasus.

Additionally, immigrants coming from Islamic countries face strict surveillance and persecution by security services. Indeed, certain commentaries (tafaseer) of the Noble Quran and books of the Noble Hadith by various ulema have even been included in the list of extremist materials.

As for the leaders of the Central Asian states, they have begun emulating China and Russia in order to safeguard their thrones, filling prisons with Muslims under the pretext of fighting extremism and terrorism. In accordance with the demands of the Shanghai Cooperation organization, the regimes in the region are working to tighten laws against Islamic values and the Dawah to Islam, as well as establishing mechanisms to monitor Muslims.

Accordingly, what truly unifies the states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, despite their conflicting political stances, is their hostility toward Islam and Muslims. Therefore, we Muslims must not allow such disbelieving (kafir) states to dominate our countries and assume leadership over us, nor should we permit agent rulers to continue serving the interests of these powers. Allah (swt) has said, [وَلَن يَجْعَلَ اللهُ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ سَبِيلاً] “And never will Allah grant to the disbelievers over the believers a way of authority” [TMQ Surah An-Nisa: 141].

That is, it is strictly forbidden in Shariah to enable colonialist disbelievers to dominate Muslim lands, nor is it permissible to hand over the economy, security, or decision-making authority of Muslims to these disbelievers.