Islam and Multiculturalism. History Research Paper

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Islam and Multiculturalism
Introduction
Islam is one of the largest monotheistic religions in the world. On the other hand, the term Islam also constitutes a way of life of certain people, with its own set of a rich history and practices. Multiculturalism in Islam is not a new concept. It has been there for quite a while now, in fact, centuries in the making. It began with the dawn of Islamic revelation. During this revelation, inclusiveness and respect were central to all discussions touching on multiculturalism. Currently, Islamic perspective and practice in the field of multiculturalism are reflected in various forms including religious teachings (khutbahs), delivered in Mosques every Friday. Khutbahs educate Muslims on numerous moral and social issues, including co-existing together in a cordial multicultural society. This paper aims to define multiculturalism, describe the Islamic perspective towards multiculturalism, and identify Islamic practices in the field of multiculturalism.
What is multiculturalism?
Multiculturalism defines the existence, promotion, and acceptance of multiple cultural traditions within a single jurisdiction. Usually, this happens when jurisdiction is formed or extended by amalgamating areas with more diverse cultures. This concept is adequately reflected in the melting pot theory of multiculturalism that indicates that a variety of immigrant groups will tend to “melt together,” by abandoning their distinctive cultures and ultimately becoming fully assimilated into the predominant group (Modood, p 2). In some circumstances, rather than being fully assimilated, the ethnicities and cultures, particularly those of the minority groups, merit special acknowledgment of their diversities within a dominant society culture. However, opponents of multiculturalism describe it as an object that jeopardizes the social order by diminishing the personality and influence of the prevalent culture.
The contemporary scenario across the globe provides a typical example of what entails multiculturalism, with there being rapid changes in the sociocultural setup of most societies around the world. This has even prompted a need to rethink and review the initial perceptions about the same. The Islamic rules and beliefs govern all aspects of Muslims, from their mode of dressing, marriage practices, instances of divorce, as well as even death rituals. In essence, they work based on a single body of rules that aim at connecting all the Muslims across the globe. Due to multiculturalism however, the magnitude of how all the tenets of these rules are practiced in the various societies across the world, varies greatly.
Islamic perspective towards multiculturalism
Islamic perspective on multiculturalism is hugely influenced by the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Prophet’s teachings are based on his experience when he witnessed how Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived together peacefully in Asia during Islamic revelation. Consequently, he asserted that multiculturalism is integral to human survival as all men were originally created from the same lineage and can only be distinguished by their piety and religion (Ahmad, p 121). Human beings are therefore, a product of their sociocultural setup, whichever way it is viewed and perceived, and getting to them will call for an appreciation and gradual acceptance of their way of life too.
In this regard, Islam identifies human beings as intrinsically sociable by nature. These social differences are recognize...