Challenges to Muslims Living in Pluralist Societies Dr Amirudin Ahamed

Societies used for Case Studies Sri Lanka – democratic and Buddhist with Muslims about 8 % India – democratic and secular but predominantly Hindu with Muslims about 12 %. Sweden, New Zealand and Australia – democratic and secular but predominantly Christian (culturally) with Muslims less than 2 %

Muslim Beliefs Allah is a dimensionless, impartial and supreme God Mohammad was like Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Moses and Jesus Qur’an is the Final Testament, preserved and unassailable. Islam is a Comprehensive Code of Life

Islam and Modernism - Differences Politics - sovereignty Economics - Interest Food - Alcohol Sex - Marriage Genders - Feminism Criminal Law Heroes and Celebrities Ultimate goal of life

Challenges in Sri Lankan Society Challenge from the People (Attitude to headscarf) Challenge from the Media (none) Challenge from Organisations (Cow-Slaughter, LTTE) Challenge from the State (none)

Challenges in Indian Society Challenge from the People (History of India) Challenge from the Media (Secular Muslims) Challenge from Organisations (Hindu Nationalists) Challenge from the State (Communal Riots)

Challenges by Western Society People (e.g. Headscarf) Media (e.g. TV and columnists) Organisations (e.g. Catch the Fire) State (e.g. Politicians)

Summary of Attitudes Sri Lanka India West Personal Law Yes Yes but under threat No Head Scarf respected tolerated despised Criticism of Islam Hardly any Some Open season

Summary of the Extent of Challenges in the 3 societies Challenge to Sri Lanka India West Islam mild moderate severe Muslim Security

Conclusion The extent of the challenges faced by Islam and Muslims in a non-Muslim pluralistic society depends entirely on the attitude of the majority community adopted towards Islam and Muslims, because the Muslims practise the very same Islam everywhere on earth.

Impact of the Challenges Spiritual Aspect (No change) Political Aspect (No Islamic Leader) Economic Aspect (Usury) Social Aspect (genders) Personal Law (some countries) Criminal Law (nowhere) Food (choice given but peer pressure) Sex (choice given but peer pressure) Preaching (obstacles) Fighting (banned)

Responses to Challenges Assimilation (Modernists) Character Building (Traditionalists) Ideological challenge (Fundamentalists) Violent Resistance (Terrorists)

Effects on the Individual Revulsion of terrorism Indifference to challenges and responses Feeling of Insecurity Hostility to the Challengers Militancy Terrorism