COMSATS University Islamabad

Current Social, Moral and Political Challenges of Muslims and their Solutions in the
Light of Islamic Teachings

Sub-title: World's Attitude And Policies For Muslims.

Submitted to: Ma’am Uzma Naz

Subject: Islamic Studies

Submitted by:
Name: Ahmed Raza
BBA 1-C
Reg. #: CIIT/FA20-BBA-141/ISB
 Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Findings and Discussion 3
uslims in America 4
Muslims in Europe 4
Muslims in India 4
Muslims in China 5
Conclusion and Recommendations 6
References 7

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Introduction:

Muslims have been confronting challenges since the beginning. Muslims consistently maintained an
active opposition to deal with. To this day, Muslims are resolutely experiencing unique challenges from
within and from the outside world. Non-Muslims have falsely absorbed the interpretation of Islam.
Muslims are facing criticism hatred from the outside world which needs to be tackled cautiously in a
thoughtful manner. Rifts within Muslims themselves are also a catalyst for the outside world not to have
friendly attitude towards Muslims. Muslims are being compelled to adopt even if they are contradicting
Islamic beliefs. The theme given for this project “Current Social, Moral and Political Challenges of
Muslims and their Solution in the Light of Islamic Teachings” would provide an opportunity to address
the challenges faced by Muslim Ummah with enthusiasm. In this particular project, the subtopic chosen is
“World’s Attitude and Policies for Muslims.” It includes treatment of Muslim community in Muslim-
minority countries, their policies for Islamic countries and challenges face by Muslims because of these
policies. In addition, existing status of Muslim Ummah will also be discussed.

Findings and Discussion:

Around the world, Muslim communities face resolute social challenges as a result of increased
Islamophobia. In Non-Muslim cultures, indignation has always continued for Muslims but now this
attitude is reflected in policies of many countries. It has been endorsed formally and lawfully. Countries
are actively formulating strategies targeted at Muslim community. With this legitimate cover we have
witnessed a gradual rise in considered blasphemy and anti-Muslim violence. Under the convenient cover
of freedom of speech, countries are allowing ridiculing religion, prominent personalities in Islamic
history. Further to it competitions are held to make cartoon portrayals of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The disrespectful attitude and insensitive approach affect Muslims in every possible way. Following these
movements radical Muslims feel inclined to participate in violent activities, damaging society. It
aggravates the image of Muslims even worse. In a poll, a plurality of Americans and Western Europe said
that "Muslims are more responsible for intolerance to various viewpoints."

Westerners think that Islam is mainly an old faith that in the new western era cannot be followed. They
think Muslims are not ready to embrace modernity. Also, the Western population has the impression that
Muslims do not value women. The ties between Westerners and Muslims appear to deteriorate
everywhere; a survey indicates that the positive opinions about Muslims in few big countries are
decreasing. Spain with the highest change and has the sharpest decline over the previous year it
meaningfully reduced from 46% to 29%, and more modestly in Great Britain from 72% to 63%. Much of
the Muslim community feels more resentful to the inadequate treatment by the West. Countries imposed
the burqa and hijab ban making it unlawful for Muslim women to cover their heads. Those who disobey
are charged with heavy fines and in some cases punishment is imprisonment. Across the globe, local

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mosques are vandalized. Any terrorist attack tightens Muslims' livelihood everywhere in the world and all
Muslims are viewed as terrorists.

Muslims in America
The USA under the presidency of Trump formalized several bipartite bills that systematically
discriminated against Muslims. Of those many policies travel ban on Muslims stays the most fastidious
policy. The prohibition attempted restricting travel on nationals of eight countries, most of which were
Muslim majority nations, such as Iran, Syria, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. Many programs and initiatives
were implemented that target and discriminate against Muslims particular. Muslims are viewed as
untrustworthy and in strong conflict with American values. As a counter-terrorism tool, Muslims are
scrutinized and special surveillance program is implemented. Moreover, many state governments have
denounced Islam. State legislatures are debating anti-Muslim system of laws. In several states anti-Sharia
bills have been passed. The USA is being infiltrated by movements which refer Sharia law as a cruel and
violent set of Islamic laws against American values and freedoms. Anti-Sharia laws fuel fear among
Muslims and prohibit them from using Sharia in culturally approved decisions. The U.S. policy of
continuous surveillance, travel bans, and anti-Sharia laws is deliberate discrimination against Muslims.
Americans do not see Islam and Muslims as part of mainstream U.S. society. Main stream media and
social media are used to spread negative propaganda against Muslims. Pew Research Center report says
“half of Muslim Americans say it has become harder to be Muslim in the U.S. in recent years. And in the
last 12 months, 48% claim that they have had at least one incident of discrimination.”

Muslims in Europe
As in America; Muslims of Europe are not having a comfortable life. There are growing Islamophobic
threats. Leaders such as Geert Wilders officially mock Muslims and Prophet (PBUH). Muslim properties
are being damage and mass shooting occurs in apparent retaliation to terrorist attacks. Muslims are living
under the cloud of terror because of rising violent aggression and harassment. A report of 2015 states,
46% Muslims in United Kingdom have expressed facing problems practicing Islam. Muslims perceive a
lot of discrimination against their religious community. On top of that, there are also limits on the veil in
many European countries. Muslim women are not allowed to wear the burqa, which is interference with
someone’s religious belief.

Muslims in India
India houses a significant Muslim community, though it has to face problems as it is a minority. The
practices and attitude of India against Muslims have continuously persisted. The public's mindset is seen
in the policies of the country. Muslims in India cannot practice some Islamic rituals in fear of getting
harmed or lynched by extremist Hindus. Under the current government Muslims are suffering a nightmare
in India. A appropriate example is the citizenship act 2019. This act forces Muslims to prove their
nationality and undocumented Non-Muslim migrants will legalized. In some parts of the country
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concentration camps are being properly established for Muslims re-education. Muslim women are getting
harassed. Lynching of Muslims for the alleged slaughter of cow is undoubtedly becoming a norm in the
country. In Hinduism, the cow is the most holy animal.

Muslims in China
China is the world's most populous nation. Compared to its overall size, the Muslim group is
comparatively compact. In the Muslim majority province named Xinjiang Muslims are undergoing severe
rehabilitation in established concentration camps. In so-called re-education camps Muslims are detained.
Uyghur women are humiliated and raped by officials. China's agenda is to reform Muslims' mentality. The
Islamic beards, head covers and clothing are forbidden. Muslims are facing discrimination in employment
and academic opportunities. Government has curtailed religious and political freedom. In some parts
fasting in the sacred month of Ramadan has been banned. Quran can be read with a single state licensed
edition. In the name of counter-terrorism, Uyghur Muslims are persecuted. In the Province, certain
Muslim names are banned. Muslims are restricted from performing religious activities. Many local
mosques have also been destroyed.

To add more to these mentioned points, Western powers are engaged in war crimes in Muslim countries,
they are committing war crimes nut no one takes notice. Muslims are not treated as equal. Many Muslim
countries are unstable since 9/11 and Western countries are participating in domestic politics and
strengthening their position by sending troops. For Muslim nations, their policies have often remained
harsh. World’s policies and attitude for Muslims are pretty much consistent but there are countries giving
equal rights to Muslims and taking care of Muslim citizens like of other religions. Some countries
encourage Muslim countries to grow and help them through funding, investment and technical assistance.

Muslim countries are developing at a slower rate because of lack of investments from Muslim and Non-
Muslim investors. Potential investors are fearful of serious unrest. Western investors are equally reluctant
because of the perception about the Islamic legal proscriptions of such financial mechanisms as interest.
Meanwhile, Muslim investors are reasonably willing to wisely direct their money into the Non-Muslim
economies, where more considerable profits are available and the political and social circumstances are
much more settled.

Conclusion and Recommendations:

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The majority of Muslim governments have struggled to provide mass public education. Muslims must
realize that it is not slavery of western societies or states to accept modernity. Progressive Muslim attitude
must be to acquire broadest possible knowledge. Muslim academics in our own communities are
pressured by conservative forces. Muslim women must be allowed to play their part according to their
ability, fairly in the welfare of society. Minorities must not be neglected and should be properly taken care
of. In our own culture, we must combat terrorist elements.

The West has to understand Islam properly and should not believe in a falsely conceived perception.
While the Muslim nations, have to contain radical elements inside their own bodies. The gradual spread of
Islamic terrorism in Muslim countries is genuinely needed to be reduced through dialogues or even use of
force if needed. The respective governments should at the same time consider human rights and demands
of minorities. In Afghanistan though the west unanimously supported the mujahidin but oppressed
Palestinians who are fighting for their freedom. West unconditionally supported Israel giving them power
in the region. Such bigotry policies must be dropped and devise an equitable system for everyone. One
thing is absolutely straightforward and visible we have to respect everyone's views if we want them to
respect our views. Everyone will live in peace if we tolerate people of all generation, types, races and
religions in our society.

Muslims have to recognize the current situation and sensitivity of these problems and join as one Ummah
rather than fighting internal war. Muslim countries should shape a solid block that defends Muslim rights
worldwide. The stains associating Islam with terrorism must be cleaned away: it should be our foremost
responsibility. There is no doubt that terrorism is linked with no religion but most extremism or terrorism
is caused by inhumane who call themselves Muslims. Everyone needs to denounce them and effectively
counter them either politically or with usage of force. The predominant reason for Muslims to be mocked
insulted and pressured has been Muslim extremism. Due to such activities every Muslim is perceived as a
terrorist. Muslims instead of getting divided in sects and spreading hatred they should respect everyone
regardless their religion be it Jew, Christian, Hindu or any other religion. We cannot expect someone to
respect us until we ourselves respect them.

Muslims were the first one to start scientific inventions but now we are left behind Western world. We
don't have many leading scientists or technologies. We are totally dependent on technologies made by the
West. Non-Muslims have surpassed Muslims in almost every field. We have to recognize this. We cannot
achieve anything alone we have to live shoulder by shoulder to every other religion. We have to live in
one society. Extremism has no place in any society and it is not the answer to anything. It does more harm
than good. Neither our religion nor our moral values allow such activities. We don’t need spreading our
religion forcefully. Even in the times of Holy Prophet (PBUH) Islam was not spread fighting wars or
killing innocents but it was spread through the acts. Islam is a peaceful and benevolent ideology, but our
actions are reverse.
References:
https://www.newamerica.org/in-depth/anti-muslim-activity/

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamophobia_in_the_United_States
https://theconversation.com/trumps-travel-ban-is-just-one-of-many-us-policies-that-legalize-discrimination-
against-muslims-89334
https://www.iium.edu.my/deed/articles/challenge.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Muslims#Europe

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