"redrawning the map for the Islamic world"

[Valeoz]

On the contrary, it should work now better than it worked in the past.

Why? People don't think like they did back then. We don't see things like they did. The world is different. We have nationalism now.

No. Not only Muslim citizens. All citizens regardless of religion or color.

Including Isrealis and Jews? Or will this one Muslim state just kick the Isrealis and Jews out? Seems like the current situation to me.

 

[XIAN]

I would love to see one Caliphate one day. But realistically, there is so much going on right now that if that were to happen, it would take forever.
But I would say that if it were to happen, than everyone who doesn't belong in the middle east should leave. And by "doesn't belong" I mean those who are there for natural resources and strategic reasons, and those who bring more harm than good. The Monarchies who sell them out are leading their countries down the wrong path.
As far as Israel, first let's see it go back to '67 borders, than hopefully we'll see the integration of more Arabs in the government, and the end of human rights abuses, and that's when they'll be open to merging.
If those with power acted more ethically, and questioned what that actually means, than there would be little in the way of unity.

 

[Zero Cool]

@@@

 

[Duke]

I can understand Jurhum's point, and in theory a caliphate sounds like a good idea.

In practice however I don't see how it could possibly work.

1) Does anyone honestly think a Persian and a Saudi, for example, could meld ceaselessly into this new "state"? Think how different these two countries are alone. Their culture, history, language and even religious practices are completely different. How could this problem be squared? Think East and West Pakistan in the 1960's. Different situation but useful as an example. All that held them together (as would in this situation) was religion, their language and culture was completely different. Soon enough East Pakistan (Bangladesh) got pissed off with their western rulers who understood little of their language and culture and won their independence. Religion was all they had to bind them. It simply wasn't enough.

2) Who would lead this new Caliphate? Moderate Sunnis? Wahhabis? Shias? A mixture of all? Even if an agreement was reached, would the mainstream be happy?

3) Finally, fortunately or unfortunately however you view it, in today's world there is a recognition that people are different. The Kurds are proud of their history and culture and thus want their own state. The same is true for the Persians and the Lebanese and the Egyptians etc. How many of these ancient people would willingly be subsumed into a gigantic Islamic Caliphate? These days, IMO, empires just don't work. Think of the amount of bureaucracy that would surely become involved in such a gigantic state. People want to rule themselves and feel a sense of pride in their homelands. Could this be maintained under a caliphate? I just cannot see it working.

Good post, 'omeboy.

 

[Shahin]

I can understand Jurhum's point, and in theory a caliphate sounds like a good idea.

In practice however I don't see how it could possibly work.

1) Does anyone honestly think a Persian and a Saudi, for example, could meld ceaselessly into this new "state"? Think how different these two countries are alone. Their culture, history, language and even religious practices are completely different. How could this problem be squared? Think East and West Pakistan in the 1960's. Different situation but useful as an example. All that held them together (as would in this situation) was religion, their language and culture was completely different. Soon enough East Pakistan (Bangladesh) got pissed off with their western rulers who understood little of their language and culture and won their independence. Religion was all they had to bind them. It simply wasn't enough.

2) Who would lead this new Caliphate? Moderate Sunnis? Wahhabis? Shias? A mixture of all? Even if an agreement was reached, would the mainstream be happy?

3) Finally, fortunately or unfortunately however you view it, in today's world there is a recognition that people are different. The Kurds are proud of their history and culture and thus want their own state. The same is true for the Persians and the Lebanese and the Egyptians etc. How many of these ancient people would willingly be subsumed into a gigantic Islamic Caliphate? These days, IMO, empires just don't work. Think of the amount of bureaucracy that would surely become involved in such a gigantic state. People want to rule themselves and feel a sense of pride in their homelands. Could this be maintained under a caliphate? I just cannot see it working.

Excellent post, I agree with you fully.

As if Muslims in the middle east will ever live in harmony with Jews and Israel.Your idea is wonderful but not realistic.

Israel wouldn't exist obviously.