Islam and Nationalism: would it be a good idea for Indian Muslims to develop a sense of pride in Indian nationalism?, Debate, NewAgeIslam.com

Debate

Islam and Nationalism: would it be a good idea for Indian Muslims to develop a sense of pride in Indian nationalism?

Debate points:

By Sultan Shahin, Editor, New Age Islam

Indian Muslims’ pre-Islamic Indian heritage is unparalleled. Is there something in Islamic ideology that would stop us from feeling nationalistic Indians at the same time as we feel pride in being Muslims? If so, are other Muslims right in being so fiercely nationalistic? Arabs, for instance, are nationalistic to the point of being racists. You live in their land a hundred years, serve them with utmost diligence, adopt their language, religion, culture, way of life: they won’t even give you so much as a Green Card, not to speak of citizenship. Why should an Indian Muslim’s Indian history then begin with Mohammad bin Qasim’s invasion of Sindh and his world history begin at the point Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) arrived on the scene in Arabia ? Is it time for us to claim our Vedic Heritage, while still being good Muslims, indeed trying to be better Muslims than we are?

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