The historical formation of the nation

Civilizations go through periods when they feel crisis and need to search for identity and review the self. This study is an attempt to understand the conditions of the formation of the Arab nation, and to define its identity in history, and to clarify its awareness of itself. And the development of this awareness into the modern era, and it aims to clarify the elements of continuity in this awareness and the nature of transformation within it. And this study assumes that the Arab nation was formed in history after a long social and intellectual development, and that its sense of identity and awareness of itself are closely linked to this formation. It also assumes that modern Arab awareness in the nationalist direction was not a copy of one nationalism or another, but it clarified the Arab identity, and was an extension of Arab awareness in history after being influenced by modern opinions in the modern era. The study also notes that modern Arab awareness in its various forms is associated with the beginnings of Arab awakening, and that it aims to uplift Arabs, affirm the unity of the Arab nation, restore its historical role, and reject dependency. It also saw Arabism as closely linked to Islam, all of this in the face of external dangers and internal challenges. The study is divided into two periods: the first begins with Arab origins, then the formation of Arab societies after the appearance of Islam, and the formation of the Arab nation in history; the second covers the beginning of Western awareness and its development in the second half of the 19th century and the first two decades of the 20th century.