Transnationalism

http://www.opendemocracy.net/globalization/umma_2904.jsp
"Transnational Umma: Reality or Myth?
By: Fred Halliday
Written: June 10, 2005

In order to address the process of transnationalism the definiton should be clearly stated to facilitate common understanding and perspective. According to askoxford.com Transnationalsim is extending or operating across national borders. Although this is general and vague definition it seems as though this is all we have to work with. In the article sited above Fred Halliday analyzes terrorists movements as one of the largest transnational communities. I agree that terrorist groups especially groups such as Al-Qaida are huge transnational communities that are bound by their devout and extreme faith. Even though they function as cells across the globe they are communal in regards to the faith that binds them. This connection makes them some of the most dangerous terrorists. I say this because religion is one of the most powerful form of beliefs, ideologies, and values and more importantly it creates an ethereal form of brotherhood and soul connections. These are binds that are rarely broken.

What does this have to do with transnationalism? Well in the past, almost decade, religious radicalist groups most noted: Al-Qaida, Hezballah, Taliban, etc..., have been spreading their geographical reach from end of the globe to the next. Indonesia with the largest Islamic population which has become a comfortable home for some radical cells, they have inhabited most of Europe, Africa, and the United States. Many have claimed that transnationalism is a detriment to society due to this ability to spread beliefs and certain cases violence across borders without issue. The issues of 9/11, car bombings globally, subway stations bombed, and other consistent threats are what pose to be the problem for those with an opinion on the topic. Especially the author of the article above. However, it is rare that an individual can find an essay dedicated to the good can be spread from transnationalism and the benefits of going from border to border.

For example, Suffism during the Abbassid Empire were Islamic Mystics who travelled and spread the Hadith, or the Word of God and dictated by the Prophet Muhammad, and they may be creditted for actually spreading the word, the faith, and the arabic language from the middle east to parts of russia, all of over asia, and the western hemisphere. Transnationalism in the hands of religious groups is not always dangerous. Yes it is easy to say so because the examples are so obvious today, but we need to ask ourselves how did we as Americans, as Englishmen, as Germans, as Argentinians, as Men of the Middle East: how did we come to be where are located today and the belief systems of which abide. All through transnationalism of peoples, writings, even stolen art work.

I end this by saying thank you to the those who pariticipate in transnationalism, it is this within our roots that has ironically created the border in which we live today, modified our technology, and further developed humanity as a whole.