The revivalist movements and groups discussed above were minor players on the political stage in the nineteenth century and in the first half of the twentieth century. The dominant trend in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia during this period was toward secularism and modernization. Thus, despite his best efforts, al-Afghani—the “father” of modern Islamist thought—failed to build a pan-Islamic alliance. Similarly, the secular nationalists in India and Egypt had the support of the vast majority of the population; Islamist currents were marginal.

XREF: Reverses common assumption that Islamism has long been the region's dominant political force; Islamism is a relatively recent surge.

Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politi…, loc. 308