Secular Muslim Youth?

The following are some findings from my personal research. Obviously the research was limited. It took place among Muslim youth at a specific mosque in Mombasa, Kenya. However, I would not be surprised if the findings were true of most Muslim youth in majority world countries. Then I cannot help but wonder if Christian youth are responding any differently than the Muslim youth. The tides of secularism are strong.
The greater Islamic world is seeking to assert its own religious and cultural identity. Despite the reality of globalization and apparent influence of secularism, Muslim youth desire to live in the modern world, but without simply imitating blindly the ways in the West. They verbally recognize that the Western and secular ideologies do not coexist with Islam. However, the lives of Muslim youth are consumed by the continual tides of secularism. Arguably the greatest tide of secularism is observed in how the youth consume media outlets which funnel secular values. According to the definition given in this research for secularism ( counter worldview found in modern society which diminishes or changes the intended role of religion), the following are notable effects of secularism:

1. The Muslim youth who attend Konzi Mosque believe that cultural and religious traditions are in opposition to the youth’s welfare. The youth believe that Islam and culture cannot be separated. Tradition and religion is in opposition to their relationships and enjoyment.

2. The youth believe that Western influence is negative and inevitably tries to force their agenda upon them. In the youth’s mind there is little he or she can do to escape the negative effects of the West.

3. In light of the unmovable force of westernization, the youth believe that they imitate what they see and hear in order to enjoy life and relate with other youth. The primary way they imitate is through dress; however, their rhetoric and interaction with the opposite sex is also influenced.

4. Despite what they see and imitate, the Muslim youth believe in God’s mercy on that Day of Judgment. There is a considerable amount of uncertainty as to what will be considered a right or wrong act. The Muslim youth will be judged according to what he or she has discovered to be true.

5. The youth believe that their society and families have become less communal and more individualistic. This shift offers negative elements; however, it offers numerous positive aspects which can help the society.

6. The Muslim youth understand the lack of knowledge to be their greatest detriment to their personal wellbeing and religion. The youth desire to know more about Islam, the West and the world around them.

7. The consensus among Muslim youth is that truth is determined by experience. In this sense truth is relative, which means the Muslim youth believes he or she cannot judge another person’s understanding of truth.

8. The Muslim youth who attend Konzi Mosque believe all religions should be respected. The Muslim should listen to other religious adherents. The Muslim youth’s religion is correct because they have experienced it to be true. Still, other religions might be correct if their followers are true to their experiences.

Islam and the West

Here are some reasons why people convert to Islam in the West. The information comes from Larry Poston, Islamic Da`wah in the West: Muslim Missionary Activity and the Dynamics of Conversion to Islam, published in 1992.

I will try to find some more recent data, as I would assume 9/11 has influenced the Western perception of Islam.

Factor why people convert to Islam in the West.

1. Dissatisfaction with a previous religion or ideology

2. Disillusionment with Western Society

3. Conversion through marriage

4. Personal contact with Muslims

5. The Qur’an

6. A complete philosophy of life

7. Simplicity and rationality

8. Moral and ethical standards

9. Disgust with Racism

10. Special appeal to women

11. Sufism (the spiritual movement of Islam)

12. Community verses individualism

13. Supernatural phenomena

14. Emotional experience

The author, Larry Poston, concludes by saying, "Conversions to Islam…differ significantly from conversions to Christianity in that they appear to be ‘conversions of the head’ (i.e. intellectual) rather than ‘conversion of the heart’ (i.e. emotional). Remorse for sin and fear of judgment do not seem to have been important factors."

I am not sure his conclusion is true of his findings. Either way it's some food for thought as Islam will supposedly be the second largest religion in the United States in the next twenty years.

Poston goes on to give several challenges facing Islamic da'wah / mission in the West

1. Nominalism and assimilation

2. The impression of being a foreign religion

3. The image of Islam in other countries

4. The strictness of Islam: an asset or a liability?

5. The representation of Muslims in the wider community

6. Influence over the democratic processes

7. How well can Islam engage with the modern world?

8. Can Islam provide viable economic and political answers?

Despite the challenges Poston believes Islam still maintains several appealing factors.

The appeal of Islam

1. Liberation from oppressive foreign rule

2. Improvement in social or economic status

3. Success

4. Supernatural power

5. Tolerant spirit

6. Closeness to the Christian faith

7. Cultural accommodation

8. Simplicity and rationality

9. Moral superiority

10. Culture and civilization

Poston's findings are almost twenty years out of date, but through my experience, i have to wonder if they are outdated.