caldrail

having watched current affairs programs over the years concerning islamic nations, I've noticed there's a lot of similarity between national flags even though the demographics (or even politics) aren't necessarily related. White, green, black, and red dominate, often with triangles or groups of stars. Does anyone know why these flags are so similar?

WeisSaul

White, Green, Black, and Red are the pan-arab colors and the the flag of the Arab Liberation forces in WW1. If you look at Jordan's flag, just take away the Hashemite star, and you have Arab Liberation Flag. Most Arab flags are based off of the arab liberation flag, and more Islamic states are Arab than not.

I define an Islamic state as a country that either uses Islamic law, as opposed to civil or common law, or a country where Islam is still the unifying force as opposed to ethnic nationalism. For example Azerbaijan and Turkey are not Islamic states even though they are majority Muslim.

caldrail

So the commanality dates from WW1 even in nations that were not directly involved in that conflict, but rather as a sort of previous 'arab spring'? That's interesting, but is there any symbolism in those those colours and shapes?

WeisSaul

Arab Liberation Flag from the WW1 Arab Revolt

Mohammed the Persian

It's a reminder of Pan-Arabism that united the Arabs (even for a brief period of time).

In some way or another, each country's flag has something to do with Islam (Qatar and Lebanon excluded).

For example, Bahrain's flag has 5 white points in it, representing the five pillars of Islam

ClearlyInvisible

Go to the Maghreb, we roll differntly.

Morocco, for example:

ClearlyInvisible

Also, Algeria:

WeisSaul

Well the Maghreb is more Berbers not Arabs.

The really "Arab" world is Cyrenaica to Iraq, Alexadretta to Oman. Though Bahrain is probably more Iranian influenced, and the Levant is a bit of a melting pot of cultures.

ClearlyInvisible

...Fine then, how about Egypt?

DreamWeaver

Red, white and black