The only practicable basis of nation-building is patriotism. That is, the feeling on the part of the individual or group that their future is linked with one country and one country alone; that individual success is inextricably linked with the progress of the country; that the interests of the country must be held supreme, and that if sacrifices are required for the safety or advancement of the country, they must be made willingly. Without such feelings of patriotism, as are defined here, no country can be run successfully.

If the task of constructing the nation is to be successfully accomplished, we must rid ourselves of our obsession with such impracticable concepts as the unity of religion, history, and culture, and should forge ahead on the same lines as Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Britain, France, and America.

Individual success is inextricably linked with the progress of the country. Our prime target should be generating patriotism in every citizen of our country. The only way to do this is to instill in each and every individual a deep-rooted love of his country. If we set ourselves sedulously to such tasks as these, we should, within the span of one generation, be able to create for ourselves the ideal nation.

Source: Spirit of Islam August 2014