Patriotism is a passion from which springs the love for one's country. It is but natural to love one' own homeland. No doubt,a man becomes emotionally attached to the place where he lives. So,patriotism is a natural passion.
If we analyse patriotism historically,we come to know that it is an inborn instinct. Adam(a.s) loved his first dwelling i.e paradise. Allah says in the holy Quran that the tribes and races of man have been made for the purpose of recognition only;but man began to feel pride in his tribe,family and language. Perhaps these are natural instincts. But the most dominant instinct among these is the love for one's country because it has a broader implementation. Patriotism assumes different shapes in different people. Some people love their language,nation,race or country more than others. But everyone has a tinge of patriotism in one sense or another.
As far as Islamic concept of patriotism is concerned,it regards all the Muslims as a nation. It maintains that every piece of land is the property of Allah. Every place,every country belongs to the Muslims. Thus the Muslims become a universal community. So,Islamic patriotism is the broadest and the widest in its application.
We must respect our country no matter what the circumstances are.we all are indebted towards our country because it is where we are born and brought up. Every individual has a different way to express his/her feeling of patriotism towards his/her country.
A true patriot tries to contribute his best for the growth and development of his country. For instance,a social reformer is said to be a patriot in the real sense.
In the history many heroes has sacrificed their lives in the name of patriotism. Some of the names include Tipu Sultan,Alluri Seerharama Raju,Rana Pratap and Bhagat Singh. Sacrificing your life in the name of patriotism is a great honor. That is why these heroes are still remembered and respected today. Today we should be proud of your soldiers who are fighting on the borders to help their countrymen.
Patriotism should be promoted if it teaches the lesson of endurance and tolerance. But there are negative aspects associated with patriotism. Many wars have been fought in the name of patriotism. Prejudice is one of the byproducts of patriotism. Sometimes narrow-mindedness stands parallel to patriotism. The so called patriot accepts nothing except what relates to his own self. He praises his own country and all its related things even if these do not deserve so. He abhors others simply because they do not belong to his country even if they deserve to be appreciated.
In short,we should have patriotism. It is not a bad thing.but approach should always be realistic. It should be humanistic and universal. It should be unlimited and not regional. Rational patriotism is better than sentimental one.
It is said that even if a mother loose her love towards her child a child should not lose his/her honor towards her.
Likewise, we must respect our country no matter what the circumstances are. We all are indebted towards our country because it is where we are born and brought up. Every individual has a different way to express his/her feeling of patriotism towards his/her country.
A true patriot tries to contribute his best for the growth and development of his country. For instance, a social reformer is said to be a patriot in the real sense.
Technology and science have made communication and travel easy. World has now became a global village. Everybody wants peace not wars. Carrying respect and patriotic spirits in your hearts for your country is not bad but you should display your feelings in a correct manner. Remember, there would be no peaceful world until or unless you manage to keep your patriotic spirit aside. Each one of us has to love not what belongs to us but we should also lobe what belongs to other human race.
Here are some quotes about patriotism,read,share and comment on them.
"Loyalty to country ALWAYS.Loyalty to government,when it deserves it."
-Mark Twain
"I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking.And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions."
-George Carlin
"There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people."
-Howard Zinn
"The people cannot be all,and always,well informed.The part which is wrong will be discontented,in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive.If they remain quiet under such misconceptions,it is lethargy,the forerunner of death to the public liberty...What country before ever existed a century and half without a rebellion?And what country can preserves its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?Let them take arms.The remedy is to set them right as to facts,pardon and pacify them.What signify a few lives lost in a century or two?The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.It is its natural manure."
-Thomas Jefferson
