Revive The Patriotism In your Hearts And Minds

His Eminence, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Yaqoubi, called upon the Iraqi people in general and young men in particular to affirm and revive patriotism and the sense of belonging to the country in the hearts and minds of the people . He also called for standing against those who want to deactivate the patriotic spirit, divide the country ; perhaps some of its parts are given to this country or that as rewards which should be paid  .

His Eminence said in a meeting with a large number  of students and young men : "We must be aware and vigilant of the attempts to overthrow our sense of  patriotism and love of our country . He added that there were attempts to highlight religious, sectarian, ethnic, national, geographic and tribal affiliations to erode the national identity . He said that they wanted to make our people   preoccupied with these marginal conflicts  , fragmentation and division which would make it easy for them to control our people in order to achieve some personal interests of some leaders and warlords , and also to achieve the goals of their masters who are against the interests of the people and the country.

We are religious, but we do not look at religious, sectarian or national affiliation as an alternative of national affiliation . Religion can only thrive  in a homeland which provides shelter and protection for it . Take , for example , the message of Islam ; when it did not have a save haven , i.e.  a homeland . At the beginning Muslims were a weak party of few tortured followed up persons , “ And remember when you were few , deemed weak in the land , fearing lest people might carry you off by force , but He sheltered you and strengthened you with His aid and gave you of the good things that you may give thanks “ ( Al-Anfal ‘ Spoils of War ‘ : 26 ) .  When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) emigrated to Yathrib and Islam finally had a homeland , the name of Yathrib was changed into Al-Madina (  The City of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Islam made a state and an entity spreading its wings on the entire Arab Peninsula  , erupting east and west . The sense of national and patriotic belonging to a certain country does not contradict religion ; on the contrary , it supports religion . The Prophetic Tradition reveals that loving one’s own country is a human value and characteristic . The Commander of Believers ( peace be upon him ) said “ To construct a country is a sign  of patriotism “  {1} . Another saying is “ Longing to one’s country is an Indication of Nobility “  {2} . Finally the book of “  Bihar Al-Anwar “ ( Seas of Lights ) quoted Imam Ali sying : “ Loving Countries is out of Faith “ {3} .

The Sheikh added saying : “ observe people who have abandoned their countries and nations ; they have distorted identity with no national or human values . To love one’s country and nation is an instinct ; even animals have this instinct . For example, some fish living in North Atlantic migrate moving thousands of kilometers to the south, marry, lay eggs and then die . The newly born fish return to their native land following the same way followed by their parents although they do not know the way or even their parents .

One of the grain traders have told me that there is a type of grain called Harthman grown in Balad district and given to birds. There is another kind of the same type of grain which  is not local but imported from neighboring  countries .  For their surprise , the traders have noticed that the birds do not  eat that grain ; they eat only the local one .

This story teaches us a lesson in the love of homeland , belonging and loyalty . Leaders of the country, especially those who hold its citizenship , should learn these lessons and be loyal to their country and their people .”

1-     Tuhaf Al-Uqool ( Masterpieces of Minds ) : 207 /  Bihar Al-Anwar “ ( Seas of Lights) ,45/75 .

2-     Kanz Al-Fawaid ( Treasure of Benefits ) , Kurakaghi : 34 .

3-     Amal Al-Imil ( Expected Expectations ) :11/1 , Al-Anwar Al-Numaniya : 2/170 .

1437 A.H.

28/9/2016 A.D.