Ep 4. Jihad
- TV-PG
- June 4, 2003
- 50 min
-
8.1 (67)
The First World War season 1 episode 4 titled "Jihad" explores the impact of the war on the Muslim world. The episode examines how the Ottoman Empire joined the war on the German side and declared a holy war, or jihad, against the Allied powers to rally support from the Muslim world. However, this move did not result in the expected outcome and instead sparked a complex and divisive conversation within the Muslim community.
The episode delves into the complicated relationship between the Ottoman Empire and its Arab subjects, who were also Muslim but did not rally behind their Ottoman rulers during the war. This divide opened up an opportunity for the British to incite an Arab revolt against the Ottomans with the promise of Arab independence.
The episode also explores the significance of the war for the Indian Muslim population, who were also subjects of the British Empire. Many Indian Muslims rallied behind the Ottomans, seeing the British as their oppressors, and joined the Khilafat movement to protect the Ottoman caliphate from being dismantled. This created a complex political situation for the British in India, as they tried to manage these competing interests.
The episode also highlights the impact of the war on the lives of Muslim soldiers who fought on both sides of the conflict. It examines how their religious beliefs and cultural practices intersected with the brutality and violence of the war. The episode also explores the role of Muslim women in supporting their communities during the war, such as through fundraising and providing medical aid.
Overall, "Jihad" provides a nuanced and complex exploration of the impact of the First World War on the Muslim world. It examines the political, social, and personal consequences of the war, highlighting the diversity of experiences and perspectives within the Muslim community. The episode offers a deeper understanding of the global reach and complexity of the war, challenging simplistic narratives that only focus on the experiences of Western powers.
