# Beyond Belief

- Author: [V. S. Naipaul](https://www.leafyquotes.com/v-s-naipaul.md)
- Quotes: 2
- Book page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/v-s-naipaul/beyond-belief

## Quotes

> To the convert his land is of no religious or historical importance; its relics are of no account; only the sands of Arabia are sacred.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/v-s-naipaul/beyond-belief/to-the-convert.md)

> Islam is in its origins an Arab religion. Everyone not an Arab who is a Muslim is a convert. Islam is not simply a matter of conscience or private belief. It makes imperial demands. A convert’s worldview alters. His holy places are in Arab lands; his sacred language is Arabic. His idea of history alters. He rejects his own; he becomes, whether he likes it or not, a part of the Arab story. The convert has to turn away from everything that is his. The disturbance for societies is immense, and even after a thousand years can remain unresolved; the turning away has to be done again and again. People develop fantasies about who and what they are; and in the Islam of converted countries there is an element of neurosis and nihilism. These countries can be easily set on the boil.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/v-s-naipaul/beyond-belief/islam-is-in-its.md)