Transformation of Arab Thought in the XIX-XX Centuries

Abstract

When hearing “Arab world”, one thinks of the Koran, Islam, a relatively isolated society, their traditions, terrorism, heated conflicts, and several important issues. Today, the Middle East is viewed in a negative light and is even feared. However, many do not know their culture, traditions, politics, and economy. They develop their attitude only based on popular opinions. It is for this reason that the very long and eventful history of changing Arab attitudes is interesting.

The mentioned work focuses on several important issues, among which a large place is related to domestic and foreign policy based on nationalist principles. Pan-Arabism, which especially strengthened in the 19^th century, has become a characteristic feature of the entire Arab world to this day. If we look at the history of the Arabs, their attitude towards the homeland and national values ​​will be clearly seen. After the Prophet Muhammad brought the Qur’an as the main guide, the people automatically wanted to follow it because the holy book contained rules, traditions, and obligations to be fulfilled on the path of a dignified life. The narrations of the Prophet himself, the records of his life and work, surahs and verses, good geographical location, and the challenges they had historically – all became the reasons for the formation of the Arabs as a whole. Thus, the rich cultural and historical background became the basis for the formation of the nationalist spirit in each of them. All this was especially strengthened during the period under the influence of the Ottoman Empire because, according to the Arabs, the people chosen by God could not have another master.

At the same time, the West became active in the XIX century, in which large-scale events had a great impact on the regions of the rest of the world. Of course, the Middle East was not an exception. In the case of the Arab world, the conflict between Arab and European thought during the last two centuries led to a certain impasse and the aggravation of various problematic issues. In this regard, the theory of acculturation is interesting, which refers to the processes of mutual influence of cultures. It seems to be developing and spreading along with globalization. So, it corresponds exactly to the historical resistance of the Arabs to the West.