Friday, May 12, 2006
Us and Nationalism
I work with a Brazilian guy that recently moved to Canada with his family. A well built man in his mid 30s with a surprisingly fair skin, perhaps a descendant of the Portuguese that settled in Brazil centuries ago. Seems like a naturally polite person with an omnipresent smile reminiscent to a Columbian professor I had for a programming course which to this day I don’t understand.
Since he has spent most of his life in Brazil, naturally he has a strong affinity to the land in which he grew up always talking about the food, the people, the climate, soccer, the relatives left behind, and the broken memories. But what is most surprising is how proud he is of Brazilian heritage yet tries his best to learn the Canadian culture.
Compare that to the attitude of children of immigrants from Muslim countries. Why is it that we are either very ashamed or excessively proud? Some believe themselves to be the ‘chosen race’ and shun all evil (kafir) practices while others are embarrassed and wish they were born in a different culture. A few even try and justify their behavior through Islam. I’ve heard statements such as ‘I don’t care much about culture because there is no place for it in Islam’ or ‘I’m not nationalistic.’ Sorry to say but everyone is nationalistic, it’s just a matter of where the allegiance lies.
I realize that there is much confusion for children of immigrants but to completely abandon your heritage is a clear extreme. Even then, we might not be influenced by Pakistan/Indian/Arab culture, but by Canadian culture. Unless we live on a secluded island, there is no hiding from its effects.
Perhaps the best practice is to take the best from each that don’t go against Islamic teachings. Because if we claim to live without the influence of culture because of a shame for whom we are, we are fooling no one but ourselves.
Since he has spent most of his life in Brazil, naturally he has a strong affinity to the land in which he grew up always talking about the food, the people, the climate, soccer, the relatives left behind, and the broken memories. But what is most surprising is how proud he is of Brazilian heritage yet tries his best to learn the Canadian culture.
Compare that to the attitude of children of immigrants from Muslim countries. Why is it that we are either very ashamed or excessively proud? Some believe themselves to be the ‘chosen race’ and shun all evil (kafir) practices while others are embarrassed and wish they were born in a different culture. A few even try and justify their behavior through Islam. I’ve heard statements such as ‘I don’t care much about culture because there is no place for it in Islam’ or ‘I’m not nationalistic.’ Sorry to say but everyone is nationalistic, it’s just a matter of where the allegiance lies.
I realize that there is much confusion for children of immigrants but to completely abandon your heritage is a clear extreme. Even then, we might not be influenced by Pakistan/Indian/Arab culture, but by Canadian culture. Unless we live on a secluded island, there is no hiding from its effects.
Perhaps the best practice is to take the best from each that don’t go against Islamic teachings. Because if we claim to live without the influence of culture because of a shame for whom we are, we are fooling no one but ourselves.
Faraz Ahmed 2:37 p.m.
2 Comments:
The phenomenon you're talking about can be found in non immigrants as well. Pakistan is filled with "westernized kids" who scoff at anything cultural or religious.
I agree with the 2 extremes you mentioned. We hardly ever come across someone who's adapted the best of both worlds.
I agree with the 2 extremes you mentioned. We hardly ever come across someone who's adapted the best of both worlds.
Inferiority complex has become an inherent part of the Muslims these days especially the ones in Pakistan.
It's not an easy balance by any means but going to either of the extremes is not the answer.
It's not an easy balance by any means but going to either of the extremes is not the answer.