The Myth of Arab-Islamic Identity
In June 2013, after settling in the Netherlands, I began reorganizing my life and reconnecting with people in Tunisia and France through the internet. I resumed my critique of Orthodox Islam through my websites and social media pages, and eventually launched a YouTube channel called “Learn Your God’s Religion”.
During online discussions with North African citizens, I became aware of the significance of Amazigh identity—the original identity of the region. An identity rooted in the land and a culture that has existed for thousands of years, with no racial or religious exclusivity. I first encountered the Amazigh identity in Morocco; it was a great discovery that brought me balance and stability. From that moment, I no longer identified as Arab but as Amazigh, affirming that all of North Africa shares this identity.
At that time, no one around me in Tunisia took much notice of what I was saying. However, I never imagined that Amazigh identity could be the only political and social solution to the fragmentation we experience today. It became clear to me that the Arab-Islamic ideology, now aggressively reasserting itself in North Africa, poses an existential threat to our true identity.
I realized that this identity is our unifying force and our way out of the dead-end facing our societies—societies that have adopted an imposed Arab-Islamic identity and now fight for it blindly.
From this understanding, I also grasped that the so-called Arab-Islamic identity is largely a myth and a major part of the problem rather than the solution.
A people without an identity cannot progress or develop values that align with modernity and human advancement. This realization led me to see how Orthodox Islam has historically waged war against native identities, seeking only to Arabize the populations it conquered, thereby permanently tying their fate to Islam.
I concluded that the crisis in North Africa—both in our homelands and in the diaspora—stems from the relentless erasure of our true identity by Orthodox Islam. These people feel orphaned, so they adopted the Arab-Muslim identity and, in turn, embraced Islamic Arabism.
It is clear that when an identity is imposed on a people by force, compelling them to adopt and embrace it, they lose their dignity and become a subjugated, servile mass.
Many political parties in Tunisia and other so-called Arab countries claim that Arab-Islamic identity is an indispensable foundation for any national institution. They have argued since independence—and continue to do so today—that it is a sacred truth, essential for protecting us from cultural and civilizational decay, as well as from global imperialism, which allegedly seeks to erase our nations.
But the question remains: Are we truly Arab Muslims? Or is this notion simply a grand deception, perpetuated by Islamists loyal to Arab nationalism and supported by Western political agendas?
Before we determine who we are, we must first define the concept of “identity” and its fundamental components. Does identity concern a people, a nation, or individuals?
Identity is a construct based on individuals or groups that distinguishes them from others. It encompasses all the ways in which individuals or groups define themselves and are defined by others.
Human beings need to recognize themselves both internally and in relation to the society they live in. Without this self-awareness, they will experience an identity crisis that hinders their progress on all levels. A people’s identity functions the same way: just as a person who does not understand their gender struggles with their sexual orientation, a people who do not understand their identity cannot determine their cultural and intellectual direction.
Identity is not something imposed; it must emerge from within and manifest in a distinct way of interacting with the world.
It is not enough for a person to be male or female; they must also develop a psychological framework that convinces their surroundings of their reality. The same applies to collective identity: it cannot merely be declared or enforced—it must be deeply rooted in both the past and the present. A people, after all, are defined by their history, which moves from the past into the future.
A nation or group is identified based on several characteristics. Here, I will analyze and critique the most significant ones, as understood through history:
- Blood and Race: This is the oldest form of identity, dating back to prehistoric times. It categorizes people based on genetic and physical traits, similar to how biologists classify animal species. It has historically been a cause of war, genocide, slavery, and racism. Today, due to human intellectual progress, racial identity is considered inhumane, and any group defining itself on this basis is condemned by enlightened minds.
- Religious or Ideological Identity: This identity evolved beyond racial identity but remains fundamentally different. It is rooted in faith and belief systems, exemplified by concepts like the “chosen nation” in Judaism or the “best nation” in Islam. Historically, this identity has justified the creation of oppressive, imperialistic empires that subjugated religious minorities and suppressed alternative ideologies. Though centered on ideas rather than biological traits, religious identity is as dangerous as racial identity.
- Language and Culture: This form of identity developed later and led to the division of nations. It is not based on race or religion but on spoken language, serving as a vehicle for social and cultural belonging. However, it is not entirely comprehensive, as it creates isolated groups and limits individual freedom in choosing one’s language. Nations enforcing a singular cultural and linguistic identity suppress minority languages and hinder linguistic diversity.
- Territorial Identity: This remains the most inclusive and just form of identity. It is based solely on the right to land. Regardless of one’s physical appearance, religion, race, or language, a person is fully recognized as a citizen in a state that respects all cultures and languages. This concept allows for societies that embrace diversity and inclusivity.
To build a progressive society free from discrimination, identity must be rooted in land and cultural pluralism, not racial, religious, or linguistic exclusivity.
In the case of Tunisia, for instance, every citizen should identify as Tunisian and North African in body, spirit, and history—regardless of their origin or beliefs. Unlike those who fall into the trap of false nationalism, our collective identity should be based on shared geography and cultural experience, not on foreign constructs.
North Africans are not Arabs. We have been Arabized and Islamized without our consent. Our history before Arab-Islamic conquest matters, and denying it means embracing an identity that erases our past. We existed before Islam arrived, and we will continue to exist beyond it. To achieve true liberation, we must reclaim our Amazigh heritage—the heritage that Islam sought to obliterate.
The term “Amazigh” means “free human.” In that identity, I found the freedom I have long sought. This yearning for liberation is what freed me from the clutches of Islamic dogma and submission. It is the spirit of freedom, the freedom of identity.
If we want to be free in North Africa, we must embrace the spirit of the Amazigh—a spirit of open-minded, tolerant individuals deeply rooted in their land. We must respect all people regardless of their race, language, or religion and reject the crimes committed against us in the name of Arabization and Islamization.
Those who love and serve this land, who elevate its status, are truly Amazigh. Those who do not, even if they speak Tamazight or have Amazigh ancestry, are not connected to our identity.
You can also read:Through the Centuries…
