1. Challenges to Muslims Living in Pluralist Societies
Dr Amirudin Ahamed

2. 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 %

3. 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

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

5. 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)

6. 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)

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

8. 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

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

10. 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.

11. 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)

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

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