Muslims in western countries are insecure of their own culture?

Originally posted by: Shona_Mayur

Hey there! First, I just like to point something out for everyone. There's no such thing as Muslim 'culture.' I know that people are probably going to roll their eyes and tell me that I should go for the meaning implied by the questions instead of being nitpicky but that's the problem here. People around the world think that Islam is a culture. It's not. It's a religion. I like to make that distinction because people tend to associate every bad thing happening to any muslim in any country to all of Islam because they think of it as a 'culture' and not a religion. Places where women are getting circumcised, people are saying that it's a Islamic problem just because there are muslim people living there as well. People automatically assume that if one culture or country that has Muslim in it has it then it must be a 'culture' for all muslim. It's really not and I feel that's a really gross generalization.

That being said, I feel that I don't understand your questions. Why do you think Muslim are insecure? Yes, they could be wary of what others think of them but you can't really fault them for that. They have had lots of hate crimes and discrimination happen to them. My close friend is Muslim and a police literally pulled her aside and checked her bags for no reason. I was with her and I wasn't checked. Things like that make them feel like they are not part of the society that's using its biases to judge them. It's easy to say that Muslims are insecure but it's a hard shoe to fill. They are not insecure but cautious of being labeled things that they don't associate with. Before anyone says that 'then why are they scared to be labeled something they are not?' Well, I personally feel that no one liked to be isolated. When you're made to feel like an outsider, you either hold tighter to the identity that you do have, Or you learn to strip yourself of that identity and transform yourself into someone other people do approve of - a mere shadow of a person you used to be. I am not trying to be dramatic and I have seen people take off their hijabs because they were discriminated against. People look at them differently. They are the ones bearing the sights of apathy from others. It's not a best feeling to have. They are not insecure of being Muslim. They are insecure of living in a culture that wont accept them for who they are. Some of them don't have a choice but to live there since they were born and raise there and have no means to travel somewhere they feel more secure. Others hold tighter to their identity and tell the society to 'buzz off!'

Also, there are many Muslims living in Western countries completely ok with being Muslims. They are lucky to have friends and surroundings that accept them for their culture. There are a lot of faces to your questions. However, I don't see how one can be insecure of a culture when really it's not a culture at all. Culture is known to be manmade. However, religion is more innate and spiritual. One can let go of culture but religion is really hard to let go of.

I am hoping that I haven't offended anyone. I do apologize if I did. It's just that this topic really is very personal to me and I just can't stay quiet especially when there's so much going on around the world.

Originally posted by: hot babe

Firstly I would like to begin by pointing out your viewpoint has some flaws; no offence.

Islam isn't a culture it's a religious belief, you know praying five times a day, headscarf, respecting elders etc etc.

Secondly the fact that your main question states that they're insecure of their own culture and then go on to saying they have trouble adjusting to Western culture. That in my opinion is contradictory. If they were insecure,wouldn't they be more willing to fit into the 'western culture'.

Thirdly what is Western culture? How is it defined? As a belief, a way of living, a way of dressing, a way of socialising?

In the UK there isn't a 'set Western culture' as such. The thing is I am from the UK and I am muslim.

If by culture you mean clothes- then a lot of the younger generation and some of the older generation do wear western clothes.

If by culture you mean language then I'm pretty sure, the majority of the 'muslim community' can speak enough English to understand or get by in daily life. A lot of the younger generation speak fluently.

If by culture you mean food then I'm once again certain that as long as there is no pork or the food is halal, they have adopted some Western cuisine.

Now what I'm annoyed at is that without researching this topic you have assumed muslims do not want to fit into Western culture. Where is your proof? Also all due respect why should they?

Culture is defined by people, society, morals, ethics, community. The UK is a multi-cultural society and most of its inhabitants are proud to be associated with this and the level of tolerance it provides for people of different faiths and cultures.

So please, my request is that you research the topic thoroughly before posting such an insulting view of the muslim community.

Originally posted by: hot babe

Firstly I would like to begin by pointing out your viewpoint has some flaws; no offence.

Islam isn't a culture it's a religious belief, you know praying five times a day, headscarf, respecting elders etc etc.

Secondly the fact that your main question states that they're insecure of their own culture and then go on to saying they have trouble adjusting to Western culture. That in my opinion is contradictory. If they were insecure,wouldn't they be more willing to fit into the 'western culture'.

Thirdly what is Western culture? How is it defined? As a belief, a way of living, a way of dressing, a way of socialising?

In the UK there isn't a 'set Western culture' as such. The thing is I am from the UK and I am muslim.

If by culture you mean clothes- then a lot of the younger generation and some of the older generation do wear western clothes.

If by culture you mean language then I'm pretty sure, the majority of the 'muslim community' can speak enough English to understand or get by in daily life. A lot of the younger generation speak fluently.

If by culture you mean food then I'm once again certain that as long as there is no pork or the food is halal, they have adopted some Western cuisine.

Now what I'm annoyed at is that without researching this topic you have assumed muslims do not want to fit into Western culture. Where is your proof? Also all due respect why should they?

Culture is defined by people, society, morals, ethics, community. The UK is a multi-cultural society and most of its inhabitants are proud to be associated with this and the level of tolerance it provides for people of different faiths and cultures.

So please, my request is that you research the topic thoroughly before posting such an insulting view of the muslim community.

Originally posted by: Eric.Engineer

I respectfully disagree, Islam is a religion, of course but Islam requires so much from individuals, from their eating habits, to praying five times a day. This means, there is something common about the way people live in Indonesia, Pakistan and a muslim in Iceland. So, of course,there will be a common culture.

Cultures are complex, so yes, there are major differences between someone in Indonesia, and Pakistan, but there are a lot of things that are common too.

In terms of your next question: there is such a thing as western culture, it derives from Ancient Greece, and built on the idea of knowledge and reason. Typically, westerners then to feel strongly about freedom of speech, democracy, gender equatilty...

Finally, I don't think the question is insulting. It is a fact, that there lies a lot of challenges in terms of integration of muslims in western countries, so it is important to be able to have discussions so we can move forward...