Sense of Patriotism

Dr. Hamidullah Nadwi is a professor in the Arabic department at Bhopal University. He came to Delhi. During a conversation, he said that the incompetent Muslim leadership of the present time has done a dangerous thing: through their unfounded claims, they have taken away the sense of patriotism from the Muslims of India.

The condition of Muslims here is now such that they do not truly consider India to be their homeland, and at the same time, they are also aware that no other country is willing to accept them. In this way, they have mentally become out of place—both in their own country and in other countries. This mindset has caused Muslims tremendous harm. (Diary, 1 October 1997)

In the present time, Muslim leaders have voiced much opposition to nationalism and patriotism, which has now become a part of the psychology of a large number of Muslims. One argument presented is that modern nationalism and patriotism could erase Muslim identity, causing them, as a distinct millat, to lose their independent existence.

But this fear was simply the result of ignorance. Most importantly, it was this narrow interpretation of identity that led Muslims into a state of isolationism. As a consequence, their worldly progress came to a standstill, and at the same time, numerous misunderstandings about their religion began to spread among the general public. (Nagpur ka Safar)