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Muslims and Europeans
For more than 900 years Europe has been the ideological confrontation ground of many nations and over the last decades has witnessed the formation of a new phenomenon: the birth of a `local` Islam. Islam is no longer a religion brought by immigrants often used as an element of ethnic cohesion, but a religion professed also by an increasing number of European converts who themselves aspire to build a stable religious community.
To an ‘old continent’ that even now continues to export its intellectual products, Islam proposes a Way rich in spirituality, science and culture. It is undeniable that Islam holds a huge cultural heritage without counting the great internal serenity it can offer to the individual. Europe on the other hand is living a period of ideological stagnation not easily resolvable, witnessing the slow agony of century old ideologies. We have therefore a favourable condition in which we can show the real potentialities of our Faith. If the immigrants have been unable to make much progress in the heart of the most proud Westerner, the indigenous Western Muslim can be the decisive element for the success of the `da’wah` (proselytization).
Islam is not an oriental philosophy that is sub-product of a nomadic culture, but the effective solution to the moral and spiritual problems of modern man. A Western Muslim is the demonstration of how the Islamic Faith does not obliterate what is the cultural heritage of people, it does not cancel it out, but offers to every individual the possibility to regain what one has lost: the internal equilibrium.
As Western Muslims we must give room to flexibility and discern towards elements specific to culture and immutable principles of our faith. For example is not indispensable to dress with clothing that remind us of places of origin in Muslim lands or to make excessive use of Arabic terminology, when there exist good equivalents in the indigenous language specially when we are trying to convey ideas and concepts to non Muslims. We are not advocating a ‘European’, ‘American’ or ‘Arab’ Islam, but an Islam practiced by people who adhere to different cultures who keep with pride all those customs that have a character compatible and at time complementing Islamic principles.
As Muslims, lover of freedom and justice, we welcome a renewed interest for religion in the world but regret that this has also seen the emergence of fanatic anti-Islamic religious groups who advocate the physical elimination of Islam from Europe. Today more than ever we are presented with the opportunity to spread the Message and develop a richer culture. If our `invitation` work is not accompanied by the active participation of all of us, we cannot expect to see concrete results. All believers have the responsibility to work towards the spreading of the Message.
The important thing for everyone is to realize his/her potentiality and make full use of it. As regard to those brothers and sisters who have come to Europe and are not well acquainted with the language, they can still give a good testimony of Islamic life with actions that reflect the beauty of their faith, as in a materialistic society actions are more valuable than beautiful words. But it is our responsibility as European/Western Muslims to present the Message and reach out to the heart of our compatriots.
By Amir De Martino
LIVING ISLAM no. 80 - JUNE 2012
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