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| The
Hindu Phenomenon |
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RETREAT
AND RAGE
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It
is a commonplace that the ummah cannot have and does not have a
fatherland or motherland. What is not equally well known is that
this is as much the result of the persistence of tribalism as of
universalism in Islam. Its remarkable military victories first under
the leadership of Arabs and then of Turks at once helped validate
its universalism and preserve the earlier tribalism of Arabs as well
as of Turks. A tribal society is by definition a closed order;
disputes among tribes tend to be a zerosum game in view of the acute
scarcity of resources; resort to violence is natural and normal in
such circumstances; the outsider cannot be trusted. This face of
Islam does not attract the attention the other universalist one
does. But it is equally important. The implications are horrendous
for Muslims: political communities cannot crystallize and get
consolidated; governments continue to be dominated by tribal and
clannish considerations; rule of law and democratic governments
remain out of the question. The Closed Circle provides frightening
details.
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