In the name of God the most gracious, the most merciful and peace be upon our prophet Muhammad, the seal of the prophets and messengers.

The majority of the world's population can see the benefits of a peaceful and tolerant society in which to raise their families and to practice their affairs. The concept of peace requires justice in order for it to be sustained. For a people to govern itself according to the just rules of God it is essential that a country can defend itself and deter others from interfering with its affairs and from blocking its way to prosperity. Therefore, it is important for a society to prepare itself physically, morally and spiritually, and to be armed with the best weapons in order to instill a wholesome respect into their enemies. For a just society, deterrence is not the wanton murder of neighbouring states in order to establish its own ideals, as is demonstrated by certain secular societies in the world today, but rather, a just society's best weapon is to practice justice and morality within themselves and to educate others by example.

Indeed, it can be seen that the common cause of most murders taking place today is none other than mischief-mongering. Thousands of lives are lost in conflicts arising out of national chauvinism or sectarianism. When asked, "what is sectarianism?" our prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him) replied, "When you support your people in evil doing and oppressive acts, you are guilty of sectarianism."

Today, in these clashes worldwide, neither the killer knows whom he has killed, nor does the dead man know his killer. Anyone identified and caught as being part of another sect is destroyed, and the mere fact of being part of a different sect other than his own is justification enough for the murderer to destroy his victim.

These conflicts between dogmas of a few people are the cause of the violence that has erupted in the world today leading to the invention of such weapons of war that cities upon cities can be wiped off the face of the earth.

This does not mean that a just society should be pacifist when their values or interests are threatened by external agencies; a just society has a responsibility to fight and defend itself within a just and moral framework. The Qur'an states: "Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but do not transgress limits, for God loveth not transgressors" (Surah 2, AI-Baqarah, verse 190). The Qur'an also states that: "Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into the hearts of the enemies..." (surah 8, al-Anfal, verse 60).

Based on this revelation and the current state of the worlds readiness to provide such abhorrent weaponry as those of a nuclear or chemical nature, the Islamic Party regrettably feels that it would be foolish to take up a unilateralist stance. However, it is hoped that any society in its right mind would not use such weapons and that by education and tolerance it would be possible to eliminate the need for such weaponry.

As for alliances, the Islamic Party feels that a just society would be incapable of supporting any state in its immoral or oppressive actions against any other society and would seek to obtain a neutral and pacifying role on such occasions. If, however, any state took upon itself the right to attack or oppress any other just society, be it Islamic or otherwise, then it would be necessary to take a stand against such actions. Examples of such actions were the PolPot campaign in Kampuchea, the American bombing of Libya, and the Russian attack on a Korean airliner.

As an Islamic body, it is hoped that a contribution can be made to the maintenance of a just and moral stance of government when dealing on an international scale; to contribute to opinion concerning such matters as the presence of mercenaries in Africa or Columbia, and the continued presence of a military garrison in the Falkland Islands.

With regard to the British Forces, they should be encouraged to cater for the religious and cultural needs of different groups in matters concerning diet, beliefs and prayers.

A review of the present ordnance industry would be proposed in order to encourage self-sufficiency as a state, and not to produce armaments for outside agencies which may turn such armaments against us.

Islam is the way of peace, presenting comprehensive guidelines regarding when and how to engage in warfare. It is imperative that a defensive force respects human life regardless of its origin, creed, colour or beliefs.

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