In his book "The Challenges Facing Muslims in the West", Professor Abdelilah Al-Ghayathi Abu Tariq highlights how Islam contributed to shaping European civilization but faced several challenges in the West, especially after the fall of Al-Andalus. Despite these difficulties, Muslims managed to preserve their religious and cultural identity, albeit under harsh conditions.
The author explores the history of Muslims in the West, demonstrating that it is not solely linked to modern migrations after World War II but extends back over a thousand years.
Islam in Eastern Europe and the Balkans
The history of Islam in these regions dates back to various periods, particularly during Ottoman conquests. Peoples such as Bosnians and Albanians widely embraced Islam due to historical and political circumstances, including the weakening of the local church and social conditions that made Islam an appealing option.
Islam in Western Europe and Al-Andalus
Islam entered Al-Andalus in 92 AH (710 CE) under the leadership of Tariq ibn Ziyad, and Muslims remained there for centuries. They significantly contributed to Europe’s scientific and cultural renaissance. After the fall of Granada in 1492, Muslims faced the Inquisition, which forced them to either hide their faith or emigrate. Many used taqiyyah to protect their Islamic identity, but most chose to migrate to Morocco.
The Role of Muslims in European Civilization
Al-Andalus introduced Islam and its greatness to Europe, serving as a hub of sciences that attracted students from across the continent. Muslims left their mark on architecture, exemplified by landmarks like the Mosque of Cordoba and the Alhambra Palace.
The History of Islam in the Balkans
The spread of Islam in the Balkans was influenced by overlapping political and social factors, including Ottoman conquests and memories of the Crusades. The conversion to Islam was gradual in some areas but rapid in others, such as Bosnia, where Islam provided an alternative refuge from church oppression.
Challenges Facing Muslims
The book sheds light on religious intolerance faced by Muslims after the fall of Al-Andalus, including the Inquisition and pressures on children and women to maintain their Islamic identity.
The French Revolution and the Role of Philosophers
The French Revolution was influenced by the knowledge provided by Muslims in Al-Andalus, and Islamic thought contributed to shaping the ideas of some philosophers, such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Albanian Nationalism and Islam
Islam and the Bektashi Sufi order played a role in shaping Albanian national identity despite challenges posed by colonialism and nationalist conflicts.
At the End of the First Balkan War
In this chapter, the author discusses historical and geographical transformations affecting Muslims in the Balkans. He begins by recounting how nationalist movements and Russian support led to the separation of Balkan states from the Ottoman Caliphate, resulting in significant territorial losses and mass migrations of Muslims. As a result, Muslim minorities became marginalized in many areas.
1. The Dissolution of the Ottoman Caliphate and its Impact on Muslims
The First Balkan War (1912) ended the Ottoman presence in Europe. The retreat of Ottoman forces against Balkan state attacks triggered massive waves of refugees. Mass migrations began in the 19th century and continued after World War I and the Treaty of Lausanne (1923).
2. Marginalization under Communist Regimes
After World War II, religions in general were targeted by communist regimes. Islamic religious leaders were suppressed, and religious identities erased. In Yugoslavia, there were some signs of relative openness in the 1960s, with the promotion of religious and Islamic education. However, strict state control persisted.
3. The Emergence of Islamic Movements in the Balkans
Figures like Alija Izetbegović called for a return to Islam as a lifestyle, which led to his imprisonment several times. The Muslim community in Bosnia was influenced by events like the Iranian Revolution and challenges posed by Serbian nationalism.
4. The Disintegration of Yugoslavia and the Struggles of the New Generation
The collapse of socialist regimes brought significant challenges for Muslims in the Balkans. With the rise of new Islamic movements influenced by globalization and Salafi ideologies from abroad, divisions emerged between traditional imams and a younger generation inspired by imported ideas, creating internal fractures within the Muslim community.
5. Reconstruction after Communism
Following the fall of communism, Islamic institutions rebuilt themselves with external support. However, they faced challenges from extremist movements and globalization, which altered traditional Islamic practices.
Religious Education for Muslim Children
The author begins by explaining the context of the European Renaissance and Protestantism as major transformations that influenced education and literacy. He notes that Protestantism promoted education among Christians by focusing on individual reading of religious texts instead of reliance on clergy, leading to widespread literacy among men, although women remained excluded.
The author then examines the evolution of education in Europe since the Renaissance, emphasizing new educational institutions like the gymnasium, which emerged amid conflicts between Catholics and Protestants. These schools targeted young males with comprehensive education, including physical and scientific aspects. The role of printing in spreading knowledge and the introduction of compulsory education reforms in the 18th and 19th centuries are also highlighted.
He proceeds to discuss the role of religious studies in Western educational institutions, such as in Germany and Denmark. In Germany, Islamic religious education aims to empower Muslim children to understand their beliefs and navigate a pluralistic society, with a focus on free thinking and rational debate. In Denmark, religious studies (known as “Christian studies”) focus on teaching philosophical and ethical values rather than doctrinal instruction, reflecting an education system rooted in pluralism and democracy.
The author also discusses the perspectives of Muslim parents on religious education in the West. Some refuse to allow their children to attend Christian religious classes and instead teach them Islam at home or through community organizations. Others view these classes as an opportunity for their children to learn about other beliefs and develop discussion and dialogue skills.
Linguistic Development and Identity Formation
The author emphasizes the role of language in expressing emotions, thoughts, and needs, viewing the treatment of a child as a linguistic being as a crucial step in developing their personality and connecting them to society. He stresses the importance of using proper language with children from day one and avoiding unintelligible sounds, advocating for addressing infants with clear and correct language that reflects the community's culture and identity.
He links a child's natural development with the senses, explaining that language learning begins with hearing and then progresses to sight, supporting his argument with the Quranic verse: "Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart – about all those [one] will be questioned." (Al-Isra: 36).
Language and Cultural and Religious Identity
The author clarifies that language is not merely sounds or words but a carrier of religious, cultural, and social identity. Every term carries a historical and civilizational background. He highlights the dangers of marginalizing Arabic in the West, where colonizers have worked to undermine it in favor of other languages to dismantle the social and cultural fabric of the Islamic community.
He underscores the importance of teaching Muslim children in the West the Arabic language and integrating it with religious education to fortify their Islamic identity. The author considers establishing institutions for teaching Arabic and the fundamentals of Islam a collective duty, urging support for these efforts through the development of educational programs and teacher training.
Challenges in Teaching Arabic
The author explores the challenges of teaching Arabic in the West, particularly in countries that do not support mother-tongue education. He notes that the responsibility falls on parents who organize voluntary lessons, often limited by a lack of resources and modern teaching methods.
Religious Education in European Schools
The author also examines the evolution of religious education in European schools, from focusing on Christianity to incorporating diverse religious cultures. He describes the perspectives of Muslim parents toward this subject, noting a shift from boycotting to accepting participation, emphasizing the role of Muslim children as ambassadors introducing their peers to Islamic culture.
Aging Populations and the Role of Muslims
The author addresses the demographic challenge of aging populations in the West, where the youth demographic shrinks compared to older age groups. He notes that Muslims and their offspring play a pivotal role in this context, as the vitality of Islamic communities and their encouragement of procreation represent hope for societies struggling with declining birth rates.
The author argues that Muslim children are part of the social fabric and will actively contribute in fields such as medicine, research, and various professions, emphasizing the importance of valuing their contributions instead of succumbing to political rhetoric seeking to undermine their presence.
Coexistence with Western Cultures and Muslims’ Stance on Non-Islamic Festivals
The author uses Pentecost as an example of cultural and religious events in Western societies, explaining its religious origins in Christianity and Judaism. He stresses the importance of Muslims understanding the culture of their neighbors while teaching their children Islamic beliefs and the distinction between respecting others and maintaining their identity.
He emphasizes the value of peaceful, civilized dialogue that showcases the beauty of Islamic beliefs without belittling others, citing Quranic verses and prophetic traditions that advocate coexistence and respect for diversity. He asserts that Islamic outreach requires wisdom and gentleness.
Challenges Faced by Muslim Women
The author highlights the challenges facing Muslim women in the West, focusing on the social and cultural dimensions that create complex issues within families and society. The discussion includes the following:
1. Patriarchy and Misinterpretation of Male Guardianship
The author points to the misinterpretation of Quranic male guardianship, with some Muslims associating it with absolute male dominance. He stresses the importance of considering guardianship within the context of mercy and affection, avoiding violence and authoritarianism, especially in light of modern social and economic circumstances where women are active contributors.
2 Interfaith Marriages
Challenges arise from Muslims marrying non-Muslims in the West. While such marriages are permissible, they often lead to social issues, including Muslim women facing difficulties finding spouses and cultural misunderstandings between partners. The author also discusses the challenges of bringing spouses from native countries due to their struggles to adapt to Western environments.
3. Family Finances
The distribution of financial responsibilities between spouses is a primary source of tension within Muslim families, especially with women working and receiving financial support for children, sparking debates over spending responsibilities.
4. Domestic Violence
The author examines causes of domestic violence, such as cultural differences between spouses and untreated psychological disorders, highlighting its detrimental impact on children’s upbringing and personalities.
5. Child Marriages
The controversial issue of child marriages is discussed, as it conflicts with laws setting the legal marriage age at 18. The author explains that this practice exposes Muslim families to criticism and sometimes government intervention.
6. Status of Divorced Women
The author explores the challenges faced by divorced women in Western societies, including parenting and financial burdens, as well as the social stigma attached to divorce. Nevertheless, he provides positive examples of Muslim women who have successfully overcome these obstacles through resilience and capability.
7. State Intervention to Protect Women and Children
The author discusses Western authorities' interventions to protect children and women from what they view as "violence" or "forced marriages," which sometimes lead to family breakdowns and children being removed from their parents. He highlights the psychological and social effects of these interventions, particularly on children living in institutions or foster families.
