Arab Transnationalism the Arab World Term Paper

Total Length: 2182 words ( 7 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 8

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This is largely what Ibn Battuta did by providing individuals that he encountered with his opinion concerning particular matters. He was strict with regard to his beliefs, but was relatively unhesitant about observing other cultures and individuals respecting them. He basically appreciated the fact that he could learn important information from other people, regardless of their status and background.

VII. Arab transnationalism evolution

Arab transnationalism is closely connected to globalization, considering that Arab Muslims conquered a series of territories in South Asia and virtually presented people they conquered with Islamic thought. The fact that Islam itself was divided between Sunni Muslims and Shi'a Muslims played an important role in influencing many Muslims to get actively involved in the transnationalism process. In addition to conquering territories in South and South-East Asia, numerous Muslims also integrated in cultures in the area and freely expressed their national identity there. Arab thinking thus pervaded many Asian cultures and made it possible for people there to become better acquainted with Islamic thought and with the Arab way of life in general.

The Moghul Empire was an essential player responsible for introducing Arabic ideas in Asia, taking into account that it brought most contemporary Arabic Asian countries under a greater Muslim leadership. Great deals of Muslim leaders in Asia "studied in or were heavily influenced by revivalist trends emanating from the Middle East" (Mandaville 5). These people lobbied against the preservation of Asian cultural values in areas that were dominated by Muslims. They were primarily interested in replacing these concepts with ideas expressed in the Qur'an and with thinking that was largely promoted in the Middle East.

Individuals concerned about bringing reform into territories conquered by Muslims felt that many ideas considered that it was wrong for syncretism to be present in Islamic societies. These people "argued for the expunging from Indian Islam of Hindu-influenced rituals, tolerance of Shi'ism, and various practices relating to the veneration of Sufi saints, which they regarded as idolatry" (Mandaville 5). They apparently feared that supporting traditionalism in these areas would encourage locals to rise against them. Also, they believed that Islamic thought was purer and more practical in comparison to ideologies present in most Asian territories that came to be governed by Islamic thought.
Arab transnationalism occurred across large areas in South and South-East Asia primarily as a result of the fact that Muslims across Asia during the Moghul Empire's era were reluctant to be assimilated.

VIII. Conclusion

Individuals like Ibn Battuta made it possible for Arab transnationalism to experience rapid progress and created strong connections between particular parts of the world and the Arab community. The spatiality of these people extended throughout large territories from around the world and turned traditionalism into a debatable concept, taking into account that syncretism came to dominate most areas where Arab thinking was introduced.

Works cited:

Ahmed, Akbar S., and Sonn, Tamara, "The SAGE Handbook of Islamic Studies," (SAGE, 26.05.2010)

Grant, Clinton, "The Travels and Journals of Ibn Battuta," Retrieved November 29, 2012, from the PeopleHofstra.edu Website: http://people.hofstra.edu/alan_j_singer/CoursePacks/TheTravelsandJournalsofIbnBattuta.pdf

Mandaville, Peter, "Transnational Islam in Asia: Background, Typology and Conceptual Overview," Retrieved November 29, 2012, from the National Bureau of Asian Research Website: http://www.nbr.org/publications/specialreport/pdf/Preview/PR09_TransIslam.pdf

Nagel, Caroline R., and Staeheli, Lynn a., "Citizenship, Identity, and Transnational Migration: Arab Immigrants to the U.S.," Retrieved November 29, 2012, from the Scholar Commons Website: http://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1023&context=geog_facpub

Saliba, Therese, Sunderman, Paula W., Majaj, and Suhair, Lisa, "Intersections: Gender, Nation, and Community in Arab Women's Novels," (Syracuse University Press, 2002)

"Connected Worlds History in Transnational Perspective," Retrieved November 29, 2012, from the Australian National University Website: http://epress.anu.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/cw_whole_book.pdf

"Ibn Battuta: Travels in Asia and Africa 1325-1354," Retrieved November 29, 2012, from the Indiana University Website: http://www.indiana.edu/~dmdhist/ibnbattuta.htm

"Persian Gulf States -- HISTORY," Retrieved November 29, 2012, from the Environmental News Website: http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/persian-gulf-states/all.html.....

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