Do you find on your travels that you are meeting more non-muslims who are looking to convert and if so is it any one particular group. Thank you.
Answer
I'm fortunate to meet many non-Muslims when I travel, to many of whom I am their first 'Muslim encounter'. This is mostly due to the sector I work in, as well as the regions of the world I travel to. More often than not dialogue tends to focus on dispeling misconceptions they may have regarding Islam, though in many cases it relates to teaching the basics of faith.
In terms of groups, the divide tends to be gender based, with women having a greater curiosity than men.
In so far as converting to Islam is concerned, much of the dialogue which I have had has been at an early stage of learning. To cite one example, when I travelled to South Korea, I endeavoured to meet a lady who I encountered on my first trip. We spent many hours in hotel restaurants discussing both religion as well as current events. Will she convert, God knows best, the dialogues however are sufficiently engaging to sustain her continued interest in Islam.
Name
Chris
- Taiwan
Profession
Question
I really liked your article on China. I would like to know if the Chinese Muslims are well-integrated in the society as a whole?
Answer
It is important to understand that the Muslim population of China is quite populous and whilst the greater concentrations tend to be in the North West, there are significant pockets elsewhere throughout the country. My exposure to Chinese Muslims, has, thus far been to those in Beijing, Xian, Inner Mongolia and in Fuzhou province.
In each of these communities the Chinese Muslims I have met reflect a mirror image to Muslims in any other country. You have some who are visibly Chinese appearing no different to any other Chinese man or woman, and others who have adopted an Arab style of dress.
As the different communities interact as a whole in society, I find that 'integration' is perhaps the wrong word to use. Are they Chinese, yes. Are they Muslims in terms of practice, to varying degrees, yes.
To cite one example, my first trip to China was in 1999, there I visited some Chinese Muslims living a few hours outside of Xian. Uniquely, their village comprised of huts as well as accomodation in caves - a traditional farming community. Aside from prayers, and the style of hair scarf some women would wear , they looked no different to any of the other similar villages we had seen that day.
Do they integrate into society? No more than the varying degrees we Muslims living in the West integrate into our respective societies.
Name
ali
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
why is that muslims are treated as terrorists in some how can it be stopped
Answer
If, as some suggest the Muslim world is flooded by terrorist Muslims, then the world would have been destroyed many years ago. The reality, in my view is that it is a small minority who undertake terrorist atrocities affecting the lives of all of us across the globe.
I am reminded of a TV advert for the British Army, where a soldier stands to attention. A rebel walks to him, shouting, screaming, waving his gun. The soldier doesn't move, he continues to stay firm. As time passes the rebel's attitude changes from one of being angry, to one of being passive, such that he gives up and walks away.
The voice over says 'Be the best'. The short lesson is that if we wish to remove the misperception that Muslims en masses are terrorists, we need to be firm in our resolve, be patient,and with time, we will inshAllah overcome the negative image with which some view us with.
Name
Maryam
-
Profession
Student
Question
Many Social scientists believe Ummah is a myth or worse, just an illusion. They say if Islam has influenced some cultures, the reverse is also true that the diverse cultures have influenced Islam. To this, Muslims around the world have layers of Identities ranging from family, clan, tribal, provincial, national identities. We know Islam bound them but what are the differences that can uphold the Ummah? Since we know also Allah(swt) loves and is responsible for diversity of faith since the Quran mentioned that had He Willed, all should have believed but the purpose is to test us.
Answer
The more I travel, the more that I have noticed that humanity, despite our differences be they physical or cultural, all seek the same basic things in life, from food to shelter to job security to happiness in the home environment. In my understanding, had Allah Almighty created us identical, this life would be quite depressing.
It is the very diversity of humanity which allows us to enjoy much of what this life has to offer. Thus to me, what Islam brings to the table is not a set of rules to regulate the ways in which to synchronize people into a singular culture. Rather it calls to establishing a framework for life, upon which our differences continue to add value.
A simple example is food. If I go to Brazil I can find beef cooked in a traditional Gaucho style, yet in South Korea I will find it served either as Galbi or Bulgogi. Neither style of cooking have any specific relevance to a specific religious edict, other than the criteria of the food being permissible to consume. What we therefore have is a way where our differences enhance and allow us to enjoy this life. After all, doesn't Allah Almighty speak of as successful those who take the best of what this world has to offer without compromising on the best that the next world has to offer?
Therefore, to help bind the Ummah together we should celebrate our differences and not allow our differences to divide us.
Name
.....
-
Profession
------
Question
what do u say about muslims in denmark?
Answer
I have not been to Denmark so cannot comment specifically, though I did meet a Danish woman at a conference in Italy, when, during the evening a small group of us decided to discuss religion.
What was apparent is that in the communities everyone lived in, there was very little interaction between these non-Muslims and the Muslims. Much of this centered on not being scared, but being somewhat reserved in opening dialogue to someone who is different. As the evening came to an end, I am glad to say that evenyone at dinner was one step closer to understanding the basics of Islam, as well as perhaps a little more confident in engaging dialogue with any Muslims they may meet in their respective countries.
Name
Muslim
-
Profession
Question
What are the differences that Muslims have around the world?
Answer
With over a billion Muslims on the planet, the question is synonymous with how long is a piece of string.
Whether its the way we dress, the types of foods we eat, the social customs we adhere to, we differ in such a spectrum that what seems to excessive diversity does in fact become a beautiful rainbow.
To the the example of dress, Muslims in each country tend to reflect the customs of their native lands. Thus Chinese Muslims dress like the Chinese, Russian Muslims dress like Russians, North African Muslims dress like North Africans. Some are of the view that a Muslim should be visibly different to non-Muslims and are thus left with the perception that dressing with an Arab style of clothes somehow makes a person seem more 'Muslim'. The reality is, at least in my experience, that Muslims and non-Muslims alike (specifically Christian Arabs) also dress in an Arab style. Thus in my view, the real differentiator in terms of dress isn't how we dress, but more, our character - which is why I enjoy visiting Muslims across the globe for they reflect the customs and cultures of their people within an 'Islamic' framework.
Name
Rasmia Sucor
- Philippines
Profession
Lawyer
Question
In the 1960’s, the Ummah have the highest Fertility Rate but its social production is constantly declining as a result of the birth control campaign normally imposed on the countries obtaining loans. Some Muslim scholars argued it’s an evil design to limit the spread of Islam. To give few data of the Total Fertility Rate changes from 1980-1985 and 1995-2000 of the top 6 countries that represent almost 2/3 of the Ummah.
Indonesia = 4.06 down to 2.6
Pakistan= 6.5 down to 5.48
Turkey = 4.1 down to 2.7
Iran = 6.8 2.53 down to
Egypt = 5.06 down to 3.51
In your travel and interactions with the locals, do you believe in the figures when they report about the number of the Ummah? I know for a fact when they report Philippines having only 5% Muslim population is not true. Are there plots to deliberately hide the increasing Ummah?
Answer
In my understanding, I do not accept the opinion of scholars/ ulema whom you cite who believe that birth control is a way to limit the spread of faith, after all, doesn't Allah Almighty says in the Quran to invite people to Islam -opposed to procreate and spread faith? Further if we take the liberty to recognize that one of the reasons why the early Muslims were viewed as being such good Muslims was because they left falsehood and accepted truth.
Today when we look at the Muslim community, yes, the population is large. But what is the value of this population in terms of understanding and applying faith?
Whether or not there is a 'conspiracy theory' to limit the growth of the Muslim population shouldn't mattter, after all we also need to recognize that the worlds resources are finite and some sensibility in procreation is needed to ensure that we do not reach a point where we cannot sustain humanity.
There are two attributes of Allah, Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem. One refers to Allah providing us with sufficient resources in this life to sustain our lives, the other relating to Allah blessing us with sufficient wisdom to understand how to maximize benefit from utilizing those resources. Thus, the question shouldn't be about whether limiting the growth of the Muslim population will hamper the spread of Islam. Rather, the focus should be on the ability of each and every Muslim to know their faith, to understand their faith, and to set an example of their faith. If we did this properly, Islam would grow at a much faster rate and we would not have to worry as much about the slower rate of growth imposed upon Muslim socities through birth control in order to secure loans for development.
As for the statistics you cite, whether they are true or not, Allah knows best. 1 billion or 1.5 billion Muslims, the number to me is insiginifcant. As an individual I'm more interested in how many of us Muslims set an example of Islam which the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would feel reflected the better interpretation of the faith which he was was instructed to preach to the world by Allah Almighty.
Name
Jason
- Canada
Profession
Question
One of the differences I see among Muslims from other countries is dress. For example, many male Muslims in Canada wear necklaces, but in the Middle East that is not a thing they wear. In fact, some believe it is wrong because they say it imitates women's fashion. But we in Canada say it is a cultural thing and Islam is for the world, not just Arab nations. That the intent is the issue, necklaces are male and female dress in North America. What do you think?
Answer
Your observation is quite correct. I am certainly not a scholar of faith, but I have come to appreciate that what is viewed in one part of the world, may in fact have a very different meaning in another part of the world. You may have come across HSBC, one of the worlds leading banks.
They have an ongoing marketing campaign which address this very issue, with the stress being on the value of understanding and taking benefit from 'local knowledge'. What I have read is that amongst the interpretative classical scholarly community, there were Muslim scholars who were of the opinion that interpreting aspects of faith relied on understanding the cultural significance of the issue being discussed.
For example, the prohibition of women visiting graves, I have read that this in part referred to a practice where women would mourn, and the louder they would cry the more money they would receive. Thus what was being prohibited by the Prophet wasn't women visiting the graveyards in general but the specific practice of taking money by wailing at a graveside (and of course later women would attend the graveyards, you can see evidences from those better qualified on the fatwa section of this website). Depending on the opinion you follow, you can either accept the interpretation that some things are masculine and some things are feminine in the context of Arab society 1400 years ago, or you can accept the alternative opinion that what was being criticized wasn't necessarily a necklace and the significance of wearing a necklace, rather men being like women and vice versa.
Culturally, customs in different parts of the world vary, such that you have Muslim men in Tibet who will wear charm bracelets - to them, its just a bracelet, part of their custom, their heritage, and they do not believe it to suggest that by wearing one they are somehow copying women.
Note: The opinions and examples I cite are my own understanding based on my own experiences.
Name
Ahmed Mahomed
- South Africa
Profession
Shipping
Question
As Salaam Alaikum Brother,
Muslims of Asian origin seem to be facing a similar problem worldwide whereby they are labelled either Sunni or Tableeghi. Whilst there are differences between them, the Sunni Ulama focus almost all there energy critisizing the Tableeghi jamaat, whilst the Muslim World is in cisis. There is a "laager mentality" (only looking at their own grouping). Whilst they talk of unity, their actions speak otherwise.
This is a serious problem
that is splitting the Ummah, moreso the Asian
Muslims. How can we find a solution and move ahead.
Shukran
Answer
In my understanding every person shows an innate desire to believe in something, perhaps this is why when I travel and meet non-Muslims we can exchange ideas so comfortably as we try to focus on the values that belief systems bring to the individual.
Whilst I'm not an expert, it is quite easy to lead people, the phrase we have in the UK is that people are like sheep looking to be led. Therefore, we have attempts, good and bad, to bring people closer to Islam irrespective of which group leads these efforts. You cite the example of the Tableeghi Jamaat and the Sunni Ulema suggesting that somehow they are at odds with one another. Yes, there are differences, and as people, interpreting faith we will continue to have differences - even the companions of the Prophet had differences one incident being when they disagreed on which direction to pray towards when travelling and thus prayed in seperate directions.
Moving forward, the only way we will do this is very much as Allah Almighty advises us, to find common terms between ourselves. We should move the focus away from the ways in which we differ from one another, to the ways in which we are similar to one another. By focusing on our common traits and beliefs, perhaps we can agree to disagree over other aspects of life, interpreting faith etc, and find a common ground.
Name
Aisha
- United States
Profession
8th grade student
Question
Asalamualaikum, what do you have to say about Muslims living in the United States?
Answer
In my opinion, Muslims in America reflect one of the best opportunitiies we as Muslims have of giving real value to Islam. Much of this is due to the freedom of religion which, ironically is clearly cited in the Quran, but with the exception of a few Muslim countries, not granted to their populations en masse.
Many of the 'democratic' values which made the USA, are similar to the values which outlined the early period of Muslim history. Organizations such as CAIR are years ahead of anything similar we have in the rest of the English speaking Muslim world. They help us recognize that a person can embody much of what it means to be 'American' with what it means to be 'Muslim'. If we are going to overcome the somewhat difficult 'Islam' which we see in the rest of the world, I feel it will come from efforts of American Muslims.
That isn't to say that Muslims elsewhere do not make efforts to improve the conditions of Muslims, but that the freedoms in the US allow for faith to prosper with less interference from any political or ruling authority.
Name
Katherine
- United States
Profession
Question
My personal and limited observation here in the States is that ordinary Muslims tend to be naturally reserved in contrast with the generally uninhibited and vocal personality of the average non-Muslim American. If you agree with this observation how do you think this impacts mutual understanding, what do both sides need to do to move towards better understanding one another, or can both groups stay as they are and still move toward greater understanding and acceptance of each other?
Answer
Whilst your observation tends to cite certain stereotypes (I know many uninhibited vocal Muslim Americans as well as many reserved non-Muslims), as communities we will can continue to live side by side without knowing one another. This however creates a 'them' and 'us' environment which isnt conductive to a wider developed society. Visitors to London are often surprised to see so many different communities with their unique cultures, living side by side, in relative peace.
Few cities of the world demonstrate such an order, and fewer countries demonstrate such diversity. As the world's population grows and we as people, in our daily lives interact with one another more often, we need to ensure that perceptive barriers to effective communication between people become eroded allowing us to better understand our neighbours, and hopefully add value to the socities we live in. This doesn't mean that we loose the unique culture, values, or faith which define us, but that by sharing these atributes in an open platform, expose ourselves to our fellow human being. After all, does not Allah Almighty say in the Quran that Allah created us so that we could get to know one another? There was a reason why Allah said that, for the Wisdom of Allah encompasess the need for humanity to communicate with one another if we are to live in this world in peace.
Name
s
-
Profession
Question
I dont know if this is a valid question but the topic appears to be the differences between muslims. My husband and I got married without 2 witnesses because he believes that you do not need 2 witnesses. He is not Shia but he believes that the Shia Muslims are correct in their belief that you do not need 2 witnesses for marriage, as the Hadith which says so is not believed to be authentic amongst Shias. However many of my sunni friends disagree and say that the marriage is not valid. There appears to be so many different opinions on this from Muslims. Please can you tell me do. Should I consider divorce?
Answer
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