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Why did Muhammad Iqbal become critical of nationalism after visiting Europe?

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Following his time in Europe between 1905 and 1908, Muhammad Iqbal shifted away from his earlier support for Indian nationalism. He became critical of the concept of nationalism for two primary reasons:

  • European Context: He observed that in Europe, nationalism had fostered destructive racism and imperialism.1
  • Indian Context: He concluded that nationalism in India lacked an adequate foundation of common purpose among its diverse population.1

As a result of these observations, Iqbal moved toward a Pan-Islamic perspective, emphasizing the unity of the global Muslim world and the importance of Islamic social and political ideals.1