The Intersection of Pan-Islamism, Nationalism, and Modernism in Afghanistan’s Press in Independence Era: A Thematic Content Analysis of Aman-E-Afghan Weekly

This study employed a qualitative thematic content analysis to explore Afghanistan’s press coverage in the independence era to examine the interconnectedness of religion, national identity, and progressiveness. Using 80 issues of the Aman-e-Afghan publication, which was the official organ of Amanullah Khan’s government 1919-1929, this study found that from the content and publishing policy perspective, this publication continued the path of Siraj-ul-Akhbar advocating pan-Islamism, nationalism, and modernism. This study also shows that pan-Islamism advocating Muslim unity in this publication was motivated by the Muslim countries suffering from imperialism, while nationalism was inspired by the desire to build a cohesive nation, although ethnocentric. Additionally, this publication tried to reconcile tradition and modernity by promoting education, lawfulness, and legislation to lead the country toward modernization.