| ID | 180023 |
| Title Proper | Nationalism or transnationalism?Afghan nationalism and Pan-Islamism in Seraj-ul Akhbar |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Hassani, Mortaza Mandegar |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Relations between religion and nationalism, as two identity forms, has been debated in Muslim countries, especially where the nationalist trends coincided with the rise of religious reformation and Pan-Islamic movements. This article scrutinizes discourses on linking a transnational ideology of Pan-Islamism with Afghan nationalism in an early twentieth century nationalist newspaper, Seraj-ul Akhbar. The newspaper presents a unique case for this study since it was a platform for dissemination of both ideologies simultaneously. Unlike the later Muslim Brotherhood intellectuals and Muhammad Iqbal, Seraj-ul Akhbar authors did not see a contradiction between Pan-Islamism and territorial nationalism. They formulated a universal Muslim unity going through the national state structure, but not bypassing them. Meanwhile, Seraj-ul Akhbar appropriated the religious language for strengthening national unity. In this way, nationalistic and Pan-Islamic concepts were used to craft a nationally stable identity. It is argued that Pan-Islamism is not a unitary universal transnational ideology, rather it is often embedded in different national, language, and ethnic boundaries. |
| `In' analytical Note | Middle Eastern Studies Vol. 57, No.5; Sep 2021: p.730-740 |
| Journal Source | Middle Eastern Studies Vol: 57 No 5 |
| Key Words | Afghanistan ; Pan-Islamism ; Transnationalism ; Islam ; Afghan Nationalism ; Mahmud Tarzi ; Seraj-ul Akhbar |