These concepts only thrive in environments where people are not struggling to survive (there is prosperity) the problem with most of Africa is that most people are struggling to keep their "tribe" be it black/arab or whatever alive with the limited resources. Community in a larger sense go's straight out of the window in these circumstances. If there was a an evenness you would find the idea of Ummah more popular.
I totally agree with you.
Why Africa? It is everywhere.
Our nationalities and it's ethos and culture are what guides us.
We are nations and peoples first.
How can religion wash away our singularities as peoples and nations?
Is an Italian Christian same as an American one with the same concept of life and a nation?
Is the Indian Hindu same as the Balinese Hindu with the same concept of life and a nation?
Is the Nepali Buddhist same as the Thai Buddhist with the same concept of life and a nation?
NO.
Therefore, what is the commonality, apart from religion, between an Arab and an Indonesian?
And yet, everyone talks of the Ummah!
If indeed Ummah was such a strong force, then the Islamic world would have united long back!
Yet., all want to live in a dream world!
And the best part is Moslem fight Moslems and want the Shias to be declared as
kaffirs as the Pakistani Parliamentarian wants (I don't remember his name)!
Islam requires to identify what is achievable and what is not and then go ahead. Day dreaming at the behest of the Mullah won't work!
If Islam is to be strong,it has to work in unison and right now,it is not. It is interested in only the age old power struggle!
See Iraq.
It is just a power struggle between the Shias and the Sunnis. And guess who is the winner?