Ideology is a set of ideas or norms on which the collective ideals of a community, nation or 'millat' are based. It also includes the sum total of principles set forth for the achievement of these common ideals. The Muslims follow the Islamic ideology, which simply means the way of life based on the tenets of Islam.
Islamic Concept of Nationhood
The Muslims believe that by virtue of their faith, they have an identity, separate and distinct from other nations of the world. This feeling of oneness among themselves combined with the consciousness of being separate from others is called 'Two Nation Theory'. Islam is a democratic way of life, and the Muslims strongly believe in the right of self-determination for all human beings. This principle implies that in all parts of the world, where the Muslims from a sizeable majority, they should be given a right to form an independent democratic state of their own, and living under this state they should avail the opportunity to order their individual and collective lives in accordance with their faith and belief.
The Two Nation Theory: Defined and Explained
Islam was introduced in South East Asia shortly after its advent. Muslims in India grew into a size able community within a short span of time. The Muslim community of South East Asia guarded its identity very keenly and cautiously.
Definition
The term 'Pakistan Ideology' refers to that set of beliefs and objectives which formed the basis of the Muslim freedom struggle in South-East Asia. This struggle was, of course, motivated by the Islamic faith and guided by the objective of establishing a Muslim state in the sub-continent, based on the principle that the Muslims and the non-Muslims in India were separate and distinct nations and the Muslims had a desire to order their individual and collective lives according to the tenets of Islam, living as free citizens of an independent democratic state.
The area, which now forms the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, had a non-Muslim population of about 3 to 5 percent. Non-Muslim living in this area knew that their rights will be better protected as citizens of a Muslim state, because in a Muslim state Non-Muslim citizens' civil and political rights are equal to the rights of the Muslim citizens. Due to this reason, the Christians, the Hindus and the other religious communities played an active role in the Pakistan movement. Sacrifices rendered by the non-Muslims during the days of the Pakistan Movement and the patriotic spirit with which they served Pakistan after its creation, stand as a bright example in our history and the history of nations.