Muslims should strive to present themselves as a balanced segment of the society, to counteract the effects of how they are portrayed. This was the crux of a study conducted by Dr Dietrich, “Crossroad Asia” director project at Zentrum Moderner Orient in Berlin, which is a research institute.
He shared his findings at a panel discussion on “Muslims in the West” in the central library of the International Islamic University on Thursday.
Dr Dietrich discussed his findings of various Islamic institutes in western countries such as Tableeghi Jamat, Dawate Islamic, Islamic Training Institute in Germany and elaborated how those institutions attract Muslims from different backgrounds and cultural perspectives.
He said that Islamic institutions in the west attract people from highly educated backgrounds who have always contributed to the society in a positive way.
Joshua White, a PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins University in Washington DC, briefly discussed the role of Muslims in American society. He said two per cent of the American population is Muslims and the majority support the Democrats. He added terrorism is not supported by religious people and this applies to American Muslims as well.
International Islamic University Rector Muhammad Malik said Islam should not be considered a danger to Europe and America. He mentioned the contribution of western scholars, especially Goethe of Germany and other Poets and writers for paving the way of multiculturalism between the Muslims and west.
He urged that the Muslims in west should establish strong relations with other communities enabling themselves to settle numerous social and religious issues through the discussion.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2011.
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