Teaser From The Chapter On The Birth Of The Nation State

Despite its modern creation, it is important to note that nationalism is merely a grander form of tribalism. As discussed later on in the book, internalizing this point is critical for MMCS and Muslims worldwide, who tend to associate tribalism with the pre-Islamic era of ignorance, where people were united, grouped, and labeled by birth (to a particular tribe) and not faith or belief. Nationalism is the manifestation of tribalism based on perceived ethnic, linguistic, or religious differences that one is born into. And just like tribalism in the past, nationalism demands and expects utmost loyalty, sacrifice, and seeks to be the anchor of one’s identity and pride. As best captured by an old African proverb related to the importance of one’s tribe and connection with it “a tree without roots is just a piece of wood…

A common theme throughout this book focuses on the artificial and imposed nature of the nation-state model on MMCs. In many ways, that experience is not unique or limited to MMCs or the Global South alone. In fact, history is nothing but examples of wars being waged, territories occupied, and identities being formed and erased as a result of conquest, conversion, influence, trade or penetration. There is no such thing as a “true identity” or “pure culture” they have been and will continue to be evolving and ever changing. As clear and as indisputable of a fact that is, very few of us seem to truly realize or internalize it.