Al-Afghani argued that Islamic civilizations needed to unify under a common cause of competing with the western imperialistic powers that were spreading their influence across the world. Pan-Islam called for a united Islamic state, or Caliphate, that represented the combined interests of those who followed the Islamic religion. Pan-Islam was a form of nationalism based on religion rather than ethic or regional foundations.
Al-Afghani’s ideas intended to unite the Islamic world, which had been separated ever since the early portion of the religion’s history. Whether it was divided by geographic boundaries, viewpoints or ethnicities, Al-Afghani argues that they all are united in the fact that they follow the Koran and the prophet Muhammad. However, how does his ideals hold up against the reality that exists?
Firstly we must …show more content…
Al-Afghani uses Christian Europe as an example of this, noting on the open hostilities between Catholics and Protestant version of Christianity and how they have mellowed over time in order to grant deeper unity within Europe. With this unity, Christians were able to further develop their understanding of science and were able to develop and industrialize . Al-Afghani believed that with enough time, a similar process will occur within Islam, thus allowing for greater co-operation within the