الآراء
Arabism, the West, the Turks, and the Persians: The Struggle of Identity and Endless Enemies
Strategic Fragments:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Written by: Mustafa bin Khalid
London, 28/12/2024
Arabism, the West, the Turks, and the Persians:
The Struggle of Identity and Endless Enemies
Introduction
Yemen: The Human, Cultural, and Value-Based Depth of Arabism and the Nation
It is impossible to discuss Arab identity without referring to Yemen—a country that represents the most significant human, historical, and cultural depth of the Arab nation. Yemen, since ancient times, has been the cradle of the earliest Arab civilizations, where great kingdoms such as Aad, Thamud, Saba, Ma’in, Qataban, Himyar, and Kindah flourished, along with the Ghassanids and Lakhmids. These civilizations not only bore witness to a rich cultural and historical legacy but also laid the foundation for the societal values, state structures, and unified Arab identity. Thus, any attempts to erase Yemen’s heritage are part of a broader strategy aimed at undermining the deep roots of Arab identity.
Over time, Arab identity has faced persistent challenges from internal and external forces seeking to erode its essence and its role as a unifying factor. These challenges are not new but are rooted in centuries-old ideological and civilizational conflicts. The West, the Turks, the Persians, and other powers have all played intersecting roles in attempting to fragment the Arab world, replacing its unified identity with an Islamic identity fragmented by languages, ethnicities, and sects, prioritizing division over unity.
Arabism: A Unifying Identity and Its Civilizational Role
Arabism is not merely an ethnic or linguistic affiliation but a comprehensive cultural and civilizational framework that has existed since the dawn of history. Arab civilization played a leading role in uniting peoples from the Atlantic Ocean to the Arabian Peninsula through:
1. The Arabic Language: Serving as a tool for cultural and political communication.
2. Islam: Which spread through its Arab incubator.
3. Civilizational Contributions: In sciences, mathematics, arts, and philosophy, advanced by Arab peoples.
This humanitarian and leadership role has made Arabism a shared identity embraced by Arab peoples of a common culture, heritage, language, and ethnicity. It stands firm against the relentless threats posed by various forces seeking to erase it.
The West: The Strategy of Fragmentation and Civilizational Conflict
With the advent of Western colonialism in the 19th century, Western powers worked tirelessly to dismantle Arab unity through various strategies:
1. Geographical Division: The Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916) divided the Arab world into artificially bordered states.
2. Planting Alien Entities: Such as establishing the Zionist entity in Palestine, the heart of the Arab world, displacing an entire people, and equipping it with the latest technological and military tools.
3. Encouraging Local Nationalisms: To weaken Arab identity by fostering regional, ethnic, and sectarian identities.
4. Counter-Cultural Support: Imposing Western culture through education, media, and globalization.
The primary goal has always been to neutralize Arab strength and prevent it from reclaiming its pioneering and independent civilizational role.
The Turks: Ottomanism and the Struggle Against Arabism
During the Ottoman era, the Turkish empire sought to dissolve Arab identity within the Ottoman identity through:
1. Cultural Turkification: Imposing the Turkish language in official institutions and education.
2. Political Oppression: Eliminating Arab nationalist movements and executing renaissance leaders, such as the martyrs of May 6, 1916.
3. Economic Control: Monopolizing Arab resources for the benefit of Istanbul.
However, free Arabs resisted these attempts through continuous liberation movements, ultimately ending Ottoman rule after World War I.
The Persians: Persian Ideology and Political Islam
Since ancient times, the relationship between Arabs and Persians has been fraught with tension and conflict, especially as Persia evolved into a competing regional power. With the emergence of the Safavid state in the 16th century, new attempts emerged to use Islam as a political tool for Persian hegemony through:
1. Fostering Sectarianism: Exploiting the Shiite sect to penetrate Arab societies.
2. Utilizing Political Islam: Supporting ideological movements that divide Arabs.
3. Cultural Infiltration: Distorting Arab history and emphasizing Persia’s ancient glories.
These policies aim to undermine Arab identity in favor of a regional Persian project.
Endless Enemies: Internal and External Factors
In addition to these major powers, other internal and external factors have contributed to weakening Arab identity:
1. Sectarian Conflicts: Undermining Arab unity.
2. Absolute Political Dependency: On global powers imposing their agendas.
3. Directed Media: Reinforcing stereotypes about Arabs and diminishing pride in their identity.
4. Transnational Movements: Adopting multiple identities instead of Arabism.
Arabism and Islamic Identity: Conflict or Complementarity?
While Arabism has historically incubated Islam, efforts to create an Islamic identity with multiple ethnicities and sects have come at the expense of Arab identity, leading to:
1. Fragmented Loyalties: Between nationalism and religion.
2. Neglecting Arab Leadership: As the foundational base for Islamic renaissance.
3. Weakening Unity: By presenting Islam as an alternative to nationalism rather than a complement to it.
Conclusion: The Future of Arabism and Upcoming Challenges
Preserving Arab identity requires addressing these challenges through:
1. Enhancing Cultural and Historical Awareness.
2. Reviving the Pan-Arab Project.
3. Countering External Interventions and Internal Fragmentation.
4. Building Pan-Arab Institutions: To reinforce Arab identity without excluding Islam.
Final Note:
Arabism is not merely a historical legacy but a civilizational project capable of revival, provided there is collective will and action to confront endless enemies.
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