ARAB NATIONALISM

Arab Nationalism has its origin in Western thought. Like any other nationalism, the term suggests ‘it is a common bond which binds together groups of people who have common factors like religion, language, culture, civilization, food habit, dress and other mannerisms’. People inspired by nationalism are prepared to sacrifice anything.

The Arabs are a rugged race, used to harsh desert conditions (Sinai, Arabia, Syria, etc.) They have a lifestyle distinct from the people of the world (e.g., Nomads of Sahara). They are closely bound by their religion Islam. Most of them are scattered in the oil rich countries of Iraq, Arabia, over nearly two continents living under a variety of political social economic conditions.

The fall of the Ottoman Empire ushered in a new era of Arab Nationalism. There was a shift from Islam as a predominant price to nationalism feelings which now became prominent. It ushered in the secular concept of government, previously absent in Arabia.

Rise of Arabian Nationalism

By the end of the eighteenth century, Napoleon took his first French expedition into Egypt against the British. At this time the ‘Wahabi Movement’ began to set up the first independent state in Central Arabia. But the Ottoman rulers were able to crush it with the help of Muhammed Ali of Turkey. It aimed at eradicating the ills of Islamic religion to purify religious life.

During this time, theocracy was the ruling source of authority in Arabia. With the advent of education, Muslims and Christian Arabs now became conscious of their commonness. This commonality in language, past, race and religion, created new bonds of unity. A literary revival movement began which soon transformed into a political movement (which received much of its inspiration from the Young Turk Movement) called ‘Young Arab Association’ (Al Fatad) in 1913.

World War I and Arab Nationalism : During World War I, a section of the Arabs wanted to have an alliance with British and French but there were others who disagreed. Turkey had expected to join the war on the side of Germany against Britain and France.

The British were interested in drawing the Arabs onto their side and expected the Arabs to revolt against the Sultan of Turkey. The Arabs demanded that an independent Arab kingdom which was to include all Arabia (except Eden), Syria, Palestine and Iraq, before they joined the war. The British High Commissioner in Egypt, Sir Henry Mc Mohan, pointed out to Sheriff Hussain of Hejaz that those regions inhabited by non-Arab population in Syria, Lebanon and lower Iraq, would not be included in the Arab kingdom. The sheriff thought that this problem would be sorted out after the war was over. Britain thus exploited the situation to her benefit and the French were kept away from these talks. In October 1916, Hussain was proclaimed as King of Hejaz and he was to represent the Arabs at the Paris Peace Conference.

The Arabs were betrayed by Britain and France as they had already made a secret agreement known as the Sykes-Picot Agreement in June 1916, without letting the Arabs know about it. It was about dividing the Arab countries into spheres of influence of the two powers. This scheme was accidently exposed by the Bolsheviks in December 1917. It created such a sensation, that Balford, the British Colonial Secretary had to deny its existence.

In 1917, the Balford Declaration was announced with promised a homeland for the Jews. This was a further shock for the Arabs everywhere.

The nationalism of the Arabs in the period before World War I showed certain well-defined characteristics. It was partly inspired by revival of religious unity in the Arabian Peninsula and partly a product of Western thought.

Post War Arab Nationalism: Disregarding the provisions of the Paris Treaty and ignoring Wilson’s advice, the French occupied Syria in 1920. Arab resistance against French rule was crushed. The French autocracy followed a policy of setting the Christians against the Muslims. Moreover, they did not introduce any measures for self-rule as required by the Mandate. Syria was exploited economically. The friction between the Arabs and French continued under World War II.

Iraq which was earlier known as Mesopotamia became a British mandate of World War I. Faisal was made the King of Iraq by the British. In 1932, the British mandate came to an end and Iraq was admitted as a member of the League of Nations. In 1933, King Faisal died and there was anarchy. There were a series of coups and resignations. Finally constitutional government was restored in Iraq with Nuri Pasha at the head of the government.

Jordan also became a British mandate. The kingdom of Hejaz compried of the holiest of places like Mecca and Medina. In 1926, Sheriff Hussain, who was the ruler of the state was defeated by Ibn Saud. In 1932, he proclaimed himself the King of Saudi Arabia. Ibn Saud settled border disputes with Jordan and Iraq by following a policy of conciliation. Hussain’s sons, Faisal and Abdullah, were made the Kings of Syria, Iraq and Trans Jordan.

Iraq decided to organize the Arabs to support her. In 1931, Iraq entered into an Arab brotherhood pact with Ibn Saud, which was renewed in 1936. Iraq also joined the Saidabad Pact which was in existence from 1921 and its earlier members were Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan. Iraq had good relations with Trans Jordan and Egypt.

Founding of Arab League of 1945: The great alliance of the Arab states i.e., the Arab League was formed in March 1945 at Bluden in Syria. The original members of this league were Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Trans Jordan, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon.

Later on Libya joined it in 1953 and Sudan in 1956. The main objective of the Arab League was to promote nationalism among all the Arabs. It was born out of a desire for greater unity and strength.

The League opposed the creation of a new state for the Jews vehemently. It led to three wars. Egypt became the leader of the League since its inception and many leaders expected Cairo to be the future capital of Arab unity. The League was also to coordinated matters regarding defense, communication, customs and tariff, commercial and criminal laws and higher studies.

Arabism stressed similarities in culture, history, and ideals of the people. Arabism drew heavily from Islam as the emotional link among Arabs, but without using it as a principle of political organization. Without losing its nationalistic features Arabism opposed communism and helped in establishing an advanced society in the Arab states. Under leaders like Nasser, Arab Nationalism tried to integrate the religious and the secular subcultures into one combined national culture.

Arab Israel Conflict: The real solidarity of the Arabs was seen when the Jews declared the founding of the new state of Israel. All Arabs participated in protests against Israel in 1948, 1956 and 1967. Every time they were defeated by the Jews, but Arab Nationalism was fed on these defeats. They were determined to wipe out Israel. Arabs, after their political liberation are conscious of their rich oil resources, the command of Suez canal and their key position in the East-West struggle.