Islam Relationships with the West

Islam Relationships with the West Introduction Islam is one of the major religious groups spread all over the world. Just like most religious groups derive their principles from holy books, Islam also follow their principles as enshrined in their holy book, which is known as the Qur’an. The devotees of this holy book deem it the word of Allah.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Islam Relationships with the West specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Moreover, Islam adherents regard Prophet Muhammad as the prophet of God and his messenger to the world; they follow his teachings and examples which they regard as normative. Muslims are those individuals who identify themselves with Islam (acquiescence to God). The religious practices of Islam entail what they have been referred to as the Five Pillars of Islam; these concern all facets of life and the society at large (Maqsood, 1995). Islam Relationships in the West It is important to note from the ou tset that the relationship between the West and Islam has never been sufficiently positive right from the start of the 20th century. The West has a perception that Islam is a religion mainly concerned with the act of terrorism (Al-Khattar, 2003). The West has therefore become more cautious when dealing with issues that regard Islam. Due to this fact, the relationship between the West and Islam is set to be the characteristic feature in the 21st century, especially with respect to the Middle East. The questions are the policy makers in the West should engage with the Islamic world, whether the spread of democracy in the Muslim regions stop the military forces that generates terrorism and the Western governments and populace deal with the swelling population of Muslims; and how all these will affect the foreign policies of countries like the United States of America (Bascio, 2007). Moreover, the relationship between Islam and the West has become critical. Both the West, especially the United States, and Muslims have never trusted each other as aggression and terror always come in the mid of the relationship that exists between Islam and the West. The fact is that the Western nations, particularly The United States, have become arrogant to the Muslim world on one hand. On the other hand, the Muslim world has continuously maintained militancy against the Western world. This scenario has placed the relationship in perpetual tension. The tensioned was heightened when the events of the infamous 9/11 took place on the soil of the United States of America in which many people of varied nationalities were killed. The United States respondent militarily and this led to even more tension between the two world’s.Advertising Looking for term paper on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There is also political competition between the West and the Islam worlds. Both sides are determ ined to dominate each other politically (Al-Khattar, 2003). It is no doubt that the west are worried that Muslim may surpass them in political terms. However, there are also cultural aspects to the relationship between the West and Islam. The Muslims on the other hand hold the fear that the west will disintegrate their culture. Due to this fear, the Muslim nations have always reacted defensively against the Western nations. In fact, the Muslims tend to decline almost everything that has originated from the West (Al-Khattar, 2003). Further, the Muslim world views the West not as a dialogue partner, but as a repressive colonizer and great enemy. In fact, Islam believes that the West should come to the spirituality of Islam; implying that the West should embrace Islam as a way of life. This has been argued to be one of the fundamental reasons the Muslim world started the project of Islamization and the proclamation of the Islamic science. To this day, the bond between Islam and Western nations is weak. The Spread of Muslim Culture in the United States The presence of Muslim culture in the United States of America started as early as 1880s when thousands of Islamic adherents migrated from the Empire of Ottoman and some regions of South Asia into the United States. At that time, the Muslims did not really have distinctive settlement and most probably they were assimilated into the broader society (Kayyali, 2006). The earliest Muslim documented to have been the first to enter the United States was known as Anthony Janszoon Van Salee; he moved to New Amsterdam around the year 1630. In 1921, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community became the oldest Muslim establishment in the United States of America (Scholz Frijhoff, 2007). The Muslim culture in the United States gained its widespread during the 20th century; much of the growth was accounted for by widespread conversion of those already in the United States and large numbers of immigration into the United States. So, it can be a rgued that that the Muslim culture in the United States is spread by three factors. One of the factors is immigration; the second one is continuous conversion amongst those who already lived in the United States. The recent immigration has accounted for the widespread of Islam in the United States. The third factor that may be considered significant in the spread of Muslim culture in the United States is cultural heritage; the Muslim couples in the United States only teach their children about Islam being the only true religion for them. It therefore means that as more Muslims give birth in the United States, they also spread their religious culture.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Islam Relationships with the West specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Factors Contributing to the Growth and Population of Islam Culture in the United States One of the factors that significantly contribute to the growth and population of Islam culture in the United States is the belief that one should have as many children as he can. This implies that in the Muslim culture, birth control is not practiced and is not supported. Related to this belief is the fact that Muslims believe in poligyny; they can marry upto four wives and with the four wives, a Muslim man can sire as many children as he wishes or he deems appropriate. This scenario has raised the fertility rate amongst Muslims more than any religion or any society of individuals (Naim, 2002). The immigration policy of the United States is one of the contributing factors to growth and population of the Muslim culture. The migration policy that allow individuals to come all over the world to enter and work in the United States is significant and strategic for the Muslim communities to find their way into the United States; this is coupled with the fact that the policy does not place any form of restrictions to the effect of religious affiliations even through the West in general is very much concerned with the increasing size of Muslim population in the region (Larkin, 2001). But, then, it may be difficult to stop the growth of the Muslim population in the United States because there are Muslims who have become citizens of the United States either by natural birth or artificially; these Muslims have rights just like any other citizens who are non-Muslims. Therefore, citizenship is one of the fact ors has ensured increase and growth in the population of Muslim culture in the United States. The fact is that as they give birth, the children automatically become citizens of the United States. It should also not be forgotten that the United States of America has granted its citizens the right and freedom of worship. By virtue of this fact, the population has the right to choose whether to become Islam adherents or not; the choice is personal (Larkin, 2001). Conclusion The relationship between the West and Islam has been full of tension and s uspicion. The Western nations have viewed Muslim world and as a religion to be only concerned with acts terrorism. On the other hand, Muslim world has views the West as colonizers and enemies.Advertising Looking for term paper on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The spread of Islam culture to the United States of America began in the 1880s during the reign of Ottoman. It is recorded that thousands and thousands of Muslim immigrated into the United States from the Empire of Ottoman between 1880 and 1914. Since then, the culture of Islam has gained widely spread in the United States. The spread of Muslim culture in the United States is facilitated by immigration, birth and cultural heritage. Factors that contribute to growth of Islam population and culture are the United States immigration policies and the rights and freedoms of worship. Reference List Al-Khattar, A. (2003). Religion and terrorism: an interfaith perspective. United States: Greenwood Publishing Group. Bascio, P. (2007). Defeating Islamic terrorism: an alternative strategy. U.S: Branden Books. Kayyali, R. (2006). The Arab Americans. U.S: Greenwood Publishing Group. Larkin, B. (2001). International Religious Freedom (2000): Annual Report: Submitted by the U.S. Department of Stat e (see 0-7567-1338-2 for ‘01 ed.). United States: DIANE Publishing. Maqsood, R. (1995). Islam. Examining religions. Orxford: Heinemann. Naim, A. (2002). Islamic family law in a changing world: a global resource book. New York: Zed Books. Scholz, M. Frijhoff, W. (2007). Fulfilling Gods mission: the two worlds of Dominie Everardus Bogardus, 1607-1647. Netherlands: BRILL.