Mohammad Zain is an International Relations student at NUML, Islamabad. With an associate degree in English Literature and Linguistics and a BS in International Relations, he brings a unique blend of analytical and literary skills to his writing.

We’ve all heard it. Someone says, “This is our land,” or “Our people first.” And for a moment, it might even sound reasonable. But sit with it for a while, and you start to feel the weight of what’s really being said. It’s not about love for the land. It’s about shutting others out.

Ethnic nationalism is not new. It has always existed in some form or another. The idea that a nation must be defined by a single ethnicity, bloodline, or tribe seems comforting to some. It gives people a sense of belonging, a pride in their roots. But more often than not, it turns sour. Because the moment you define a country by one kind of person, you automatically begin excluding everyone else. And that never ends well.

When I wrote about this topic a few years ago, I was reacting. There was anger, urgency, and maybe even some immaturity. But now, I come back to this subject with a quieter mind and stronger belief. Ethnic nationalism is not just flawed. It is a slow, silent poison.

Take a look around. Look at Germany under the Nazis. Ethnic pride turned into mass murder. Jews weren’t........

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