Abstract
Arab background, language and political principles are closely built on the prevailing religion of Islam. Islam reinforces all cultural practices by legitimizing Arabic to be the only proper language for the Quran. Moreover the Quran strengthens the traditions and obedience to political authorities. This paper discusses briefly the Arab nationality themes brought forward by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea and Robert Fernea as well as Albert Hourani in light of Arabic nationalism.
Themes on Arab nationalism
The idea of Islam is significant in the description of Arab nationalism and usually extends beyond education. The concept of developing countries previously colonized by European countries and neither committed to the west or the socialist east had a lot in common (Hourani, 401). They had shared culture, interests and historical experiences. There are people who identify themselves as Arabs but on no account have they lived in the Arab world. Within the wide community, being Arab refers to measuring up to the ideals of Islamic and Arabic history as well as the moral principles which make Arabs distinct. Tribal scenes remain unwelcome and foreign in the wider context of society as expressed by strong political; sensitivities. A union of such nations was viewed to give a more bargaining power as well as moral unity between the people and the government producing stable administrations (Fernea and Robert, 220). In addition socialism was wedded as a means of exploiting resources by governments in the interest of society. The government would own, produce and direct equitable distribution of wealth through taxation, and provision of public services (Hourani, 402). Regardless of many changes Arabia remains the basis of Arabic identity and strength.
The result has been that the nations it has produced have been part socialist and part fascist. In the course of time Islam has expanded controlling North Africa initiating and controlling the political, religious and cultural settings with governments established as theocratic kingdoms. There is a great feeling that Arabic widely spoken as a mother tongue by most Arabs is a uniting feature to many nations in the Arab world. These create a sense of shared history, despite their varied races and geographical regions. However the Israel – Arab conflict has destroyed the perception of one united Arab nation. Divisions flanked by the rich and the poor in society have also surfaced making the Arab spirit of nationhood to be manipulated by outsiders (Fernea and Robert, 217). Public corruption has complicated economic and political reforms and further entrenched poverty and created bitterness among citizens.
Critical analysis
I disagree with Hourani and Fernea in context of the features of their Arabic nationalism. Economically the Arab nations face a spectrum of the richest to the poorest nations because of the disparity in national resources. Today these disparities have led to political strife. Countries are ruled by autocratic regimes a phenomenon which has fueled bitterness against the status quo. The challenge now is for current regimes to uphold, and safeguard the historical legacy of the Arabs and use it to share and promulgate it to future generations. In addition the advancement of Islam as a secular religion to regions beyond the initial Arab homeland is a contradiction to its definition as the religion of the Arabs. The wholesale assimilation of Arab nationalism is also contradicted by the content of the whole idea. The plain fact is that it is a superficial catchphrase with its origin in the imperial west’s modules of thinking.
Conclusion
Arab societies have included several ethnic groups as evidenced by Sudan with over fifty ethnic tribes and half of them speaking Arabic. Islam plays the single most important role in the unification of Arabic community. Domestic and outside rivalries threaten the idea of Arab nationalism despite their pride in history and language. In practical form, Arab nationalism has been put to an unlike form from its employment and drawing several concepts from the western world as its frame of reference.
Works Cited
Hourani, Albert. A History of the Arab Peoples. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1991. Print.
Fernea, Elizabeth W, and Robert A. Fernea. The Arab World: Forty Years of Change. New York: Anchor Books/Doubleday, 1997. Print.