Muslim Immigrants in San Antonio: Maintaining Islamic Identity in the Modern Multicultural World

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INTRODUCTION

In any social setting, change is an inevitable factor despite any resistance, which may be imposed. The migration of the Muslim immigrants to America turned the world’s focus to see if the modern culture would have any effect on these immigrants in order to make a decision concerning this issue. This research study focuses on the determination of different cultures and their effect on the Muslim culture. The main focus in on the Muslim immigrants living in San Antonio area in the US who have been the centre of discussion since they have held on to the ancient culture making them a unique and preferred sample for this study. These faithful have constructed mosques and always follow the teachings of Islam despite western culture dominating the whole of USA. They also have their schools where kid are taught the Islam religion and education system. This research will examine the process of how these members of subsequent generations strive to maintain their identity in multicultural environmental. It will focus on student in this center as an elementary school. Participants will include youth between 13 to 16 years of age (Abd-Allah, 2006).

PURPOSE

The main purpose of this research is to find out how people perceive themselves as carriers of particular cultural and spiritual characteristics or features in the modern society that advocates tolerance, multiculturalism and diversity. This will help understand how people combine and find a compromise between their compliance with rigid moral principles and the realities that they might face in the modern day, in this culturally diverse and liberal society.

The study will enhance diversity in the community by helping accommodate immigrants that join a different society with varying values and cultures. The study will also help in understanding the social changes that these children go through and how they affect their ability to interact with the host culture. It will also look into how the interaction affects their performance in school especially when they go to public school.

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Many researchers and cultural philosophers have conducted research studies to determine why these Muslims have maintained their religious and cultural practice the presence of the western culture throughout the whole of US. It is strange to resist change especially in a society where the group resisting change does not even add up to one seventh of the entire population of that area. Research findings and observation indicates that Muslims living in San Antonio have continued to practice their culture and religion even when in the USA. The group of Muslims who seems not to be affected by the presence of western culture in their midst since they seem to maintain the culture even in this setting. This group of Muslims has constructed mosques, Muslim schools, and other social places where the Muslim culture is practiced. This trend of being adamant to change can be attributed to a number of factors as discussed in this section of the research study (Nieto, et al, 2008, 234). Researchers argue that when one is forced to carry out something without his will such people tend to resist the change. This can explain the case of the Muslims in San Antonio maintaining their cultural and religious practices despite the strong presence and practice of the western culture. Another reason, which can make one to stick to his or her stand despite everyone else, taking a different stand, is the feeling of being superior or right. When ones inner self convince him or her that his or her take on an issue is the right one, such a person will hold on to that belief despite any other person’s stand on the same issue. This can also explain why these Muslims have continued to hold on to their ancient religious and cultural practices. It also explains why they have resisted change in culture for such a long period (Mukherjee, 1996).

One of the main characteristics of most western cultures is liberalism. According to the proponents of multiculturalism, the existence of multicultural policies brings about healthy cultural encounters as opposed to marginalization and isolation. It is aimed at creating a platform where all cultures within a given geographic location can be accommodated. The liberal conceptions, which form the foundation for multiculturalism, pose some challenges for people from some of the more conservative cultures. This is because most multicultural environments tend to favor people from liberal cultures and do not put into consideration the needs of the conservatives. Multiculturalism in most countries does not favor the integration of most minority groups or eliminate the challenges they face. This includes the Muslims. It does not accommodate their institutions or education and in some cases, it even fails to understand them.

For many Muslims living in multicultural societies it has become increasingly difficult to identify with Islam, especially when their perception of religion has been influenced by other religions. Most multicultural societies are predominantly Christian and this makes it difficult especially for young Muslims to identify with Islam. They receive a lot of influence from Christianity and the other religions around them, leading to cultural confusion. Some of them have come to identify with atheism and the liberal Western culture due to pressure from their peers.

Another problem faced by Muslim in multicultural societies is the opposition the face because of having a different worldview. Their failure to conform to the way of life in the multicultural society is perceived to be a threat to the rest of society. This is partly due to misinformation and ignorance concerning the Islamic religion and culture. Most societies tend to conform to and acknowledge the culture of the majority. This includes their values, language and history. Although on the surface many of these societies appear neutral, they favor the dominant groups in the society. The language of the majority group becomes the official language, their holidays become the official public holidays and their history is taught in schools (Kymlicka, 2002). It is therefore understandable that some people, especially the strict Muslims, would want to have a different system, which will cater to the needs specific to their culture.

In order to understand the concept, it is important to first define identity. The identity of any individual or group is best described as the characteristics, which they recognize as their own or which make them unique or different. These include their beliefs, core values, convictions, and the structure of their lives. These are the properties responsible for forming a person’s core personality and giving their self-understanding meaning (Merry, 2009). In their study of children European identity, Argidag, Huyst&Houtte (2011), observe that identity is defined and influenced by factors such as socio-economic status, gender roles and ethnicity among others.

Identity comprises of both the self- conception of the person and how other people perceive them. Their understanding of themselves is shaped by these two factors (Monshipouri, 2008). It is a combination of both themselves and their outer realm. Identity is what makes life meaningful or worth living. These unique qualities are worth celebrating and recognizing. In many cases, these unique qualities are our strengths. As observed by Mukherjee (1996), traditionally, identity crisis was considered an impossible factor. Identity was determined by religion, mother tongue and such social factors. It is therefore important to note that the perception of identity itself can be altered by relocation or exposure to other cultures.

The Islam religion can also be attributed to the fact that these people have continued to hold on to their religion. This is explained in this section of the paper using the arguments discussed below. Islamic identity is defined primarily by the Islamic religion. The term “Islam” means submission and peace. A Muslim is, therefore, a person who willingly and peacefully submits to their Lord. The submission requires a declaration of the testimony of faith. This introduces an identity and worldview shaped by Islam, and is a ground that unites all Muslim communities. Whereas it unites the Muslims, it could pose challenges in fostering and forming a Muslim identity for people living in multicultural and predominantly secular societies (Mehmet, 1990).

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE AND HYPOTHESIS DERIVATION

Theoretical perspective:

There are a number of theories, which can be applied to explain why change is an inevitable factor in any social settings. Such theories as discussed in this section of the paper. New assimilation theories; this theory states that when one moves to a new environment where people practice a culture or religion different from his or her own, such a person is likely to willingly start practicing the same. Such a case can be explained by the French during the colonial period (Parekh, 2002, 45). All the territories conquered by the French were assimilated. They willingly adopted the French culture. This theory can be used to explain the same of the Muslims in San Antonio. Since assimilation implies ones willingness to adopt a new culture, it also possible that one can move to a new environment and continue practicing his or her culture and religion. This asserts that one can resist change when he or she feels that his old practice or culture is more superior to the new one (Ladson-Billings, 2004).

Social perspective theory, states that behavioral change is highly influenced by the social environment one lives in. The theory is based on the ideology that social actions of others highly affect other people both directly and indirectly. Over the years, many Muslims have become assimilated into the cultures around them. Many young Muslims wish to belong. To avoid this, they put away their Islamic culture and adopt the way of life of the other nations and cultures around them (Kymlicka, 2003).

Globalization has also contributed to Muslims adopting foreign cultures. With today’s technology, information can be transmitted around the globe in a matter of seconds. This makes it easier for young people to know what is going on around the world in real time. People are able to watch movies and documentaries online, and this makes it possible for them to keep track of the changes that are taking place around the world (Kymlicka, 2002). Young people are able to keep track of the latest fashion trends and gain access to the latest music videos from various artists around the world. Since many of the young people in western cultures strive to be like the celebrities they see on television, there is a lot of pressure on the young Muslims to conform to this lifestyle. They are pressured into leaving their cultural practices and beliefs and adopting the beliefs of the people around them. Many young people end up giving in to peer- pressure and conforming to the dressing and behavior of the people around them (Barbara M. Newman, 2008, p. 355).

Hypothesis:

This research proposal indicates that due to the migration of the Muslim into the US, the modern cultural practices have led to the erosion of Muslim culture as the immigrants tries to fit in the new setting. The research study focuses on the region of San Antonio where despite the changes, the Muslim communities living in this region have continued to show resistant to change. They have made an effort to maintain their cultural practices by constructing mosques, and Muslim schools where their children and other faithful attend to learn their culture and put it into practice. Muslims in this region have made efforts to ensure they resist the influence of the western culture at all expenses. This explains why they have constructed such institutions (Robert, 2010).

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Survey/ observation

In this research, the researcher will carry out a survey, and observation on the techniques used by the Muslims living in these multicultural societies to maintain their Islam identity. The survey will be conducted in an elementary school where there is enough pool of potential participants fitting the target group for the research. The location of the survey is also more fitting because the population available therein is more likely to be going through the situations that construct the main variables of the research

Hypothesis:

The research hypothesis is that Change in social environment is positively related to the weakening of the Islamic identity for children who are new immigrants in the San Antonio society. This means that these children find it hard to maintain their Muslim root since they are easily swayed by the modern western culture. This can be can be explained using the new assimilation theory, which states that when one goes to a new social setting, he or she is likely to behave like the natives of that place. Since assimilation happens from the subjects free will ti conform to his or her new environment, it asserts that the hypothesis is related to the new assimilation theory. The research is also expected to prove through their results exhibit significant effects in their social life by their parents’ effort to maintain their interest and dedication in Islam. The move by the older generation to impose and maintain the old culture on the new generation also explains why they still resist their culture. When one is constantly forced to conform to a certain condition against his or her will, such people will always fight back and resist. The effect of social change among the Muslims can be measured using a number of variables. Such variables may include the ones discussed in this section of the research paper (Ramadan, 2004)

It has been observed that a number of the new Muslim generation have non-Muslim friends, hang out in drinking joints, consume alcohol, take white meat, and does not dress as stipulated by their culture. From such behaviors, one can conclude that a number Muslims have conformed and started embracing the modern culture (Banks, 2006).

Variables:

There are different variables that consist of the theoretical framework of this research. The independent variable is change in social environment which is the main determinant affecting other variable (Haddad, 2006). The dependent variable is identity which is affected by the influence of a multicultural society. Other minor determinants include the developed attitude towards Islamic religion by immigrants as well as the approaches taken to maintain Islamic identity (Monshipouri, 2008, 126).

The changes in social environment will be assessed by the identification of key social factors between the participants’ original social set up and the present. This will help evaluate the most important factors that affect identity. In measurement of the identity, the difference in values and principles of identity will be considered. This will include comparing these values from before the social changes and after the occurrence of the environmental changes (Ghosh, 2004, 200)

Research Findings

For this research, a vicariate analysis will be carried out. The variables will be identity, and how it is affected by the changes in social environment. A socio-historical analysis will be carried out to find out to find out the historical events that may have led to the current state of affairs for Muslims living in multicultural societies. The data collected will be displayed in the table below.

Muslims who strictly adhere to their culture Muslims who have assimilated some of the surrounding cultural practices Muslims who no longer practice Islam The researcher will also use open-ended questions to gather information that could lead to better insight on maintaining Islamic identity. Some of the questions that could be asked include:

What are some of the challenges faced as a Muslim in a Multicultural world?

What is your view of the society you live in? (This will shed some light on whether the participants prefer the foreign culture or their own)

The researcher will also consider the various reasons given for choosing either to remain strict adherents of Islam, to assimilate, or to stop practicing Islam altogether (Orphan, 2012, 22).

Discussion

Many Muslims all over the world have lost their true Islamic identity. This is especially true for the ones living in multicultural societies. The number of Muslims who no longer strictly adhere to Islam is on the increase. This is partly due to globalization and improvements in transportation. It is now possible to travel all over the world at ease and this has made it possible for cultures to be transferred from one region to another. This has led to the Islamic culture acquiring some traits from other cultures. It has also led to some people doing away with their Islamic way of life in favor of other more liberal cultures. Their desire to fit in with the other people in society has also contributed to this trend (Adams, 2008).

Islamic religion is influenced mostly in a negative manner because the trends in the society today rarely support traditional values. For instance, as discussed earlier, peer pressure often leads young people away from religion and other traditional constraints (Charles, 2009). For instance, availability of technology has allowed communication between both genders a factor that has been for centuries restricted or allowed under strict supervision. Another example is the different trends in dressing which have seen Muslims change their way of dressing as well. Those who try to maintain it also incorporate fashion by decorating their religious attire (Barbara, 2008).

These findings will then be analyzed to depict the initial hypothesis if the research which is that Islam practice is eroded by the influences of contemporary multicultural society. As prior supported by the authors discussed in the literature review identity is often shaped by the social norms set by family, culture and religion. Being uprooted from one’s original cultural environment would be enough to weaken or at most interrupt the perception of one’s identity (Ariane, 2010).

Conclusion

Muslims around the world are facing challenges that question their identity. Multiculturalism had largely contributed to this trend, as it tries to integrate different cultures in one geographic location. This has only led to the popularization of the majority culture. Many Muslims now identify with the cultures they live in as opposed to their own culture. This has led to the dilution of the Islamic culture.

Though the research is skewed towards the disadvantages of multicultural society on the Islamic religion, it is important to note that multiculturalism has a lot of advantages. These advantages include the passage of ideas and advantageous life lessons across cultures. There is also the advantage of peaceful coexistence when people understand neighboring cultures. The limitation of the research is assumption that all or most of the people who have left their home country are influenced by new culture against their religion. In some cases, even the host culture may promote the Islam religion (Merry, 2009).

This research will provide a platform for further research on the effect of multiculturalism and liberalism on Islam and way to evade such effects for the determined faithfuls. This study could also be instrumental in the determination of ways to curb the effects of the society on traditional values like religion that have shaped and still remain pillars of the society.

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