Can Muslims be True Muslims in the West?

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There is a large number of Muslims in the Western countries especially America, most of whom came from places like Southern Asia, Iran and Arabic speaking countries. The question is, can they be true Muslims in these western countries? A number of western countries have lax cultures that could be off putting to a strict Muslim person(s).

An example is, a strict outstanding Muslim family values the dress code especially for women, clothes that go well over to the knees are favored to preserve respect in their women folk. In the western culture however, people dress according to what they feel like, the weather condition they find themselves in, among other factors. For example, in some parts of the US, especially Miami, you will find people dressed in only shorts for men, and a two piece swim suit for the ladies, or extremely short shorts and dresses.

On the other hand, since most western countries offer diversity to their people, it is left up to the Muslim on whether or not they choose to remain true to their religion. There are a number of Muslim social centers, mosques and Muslim cultural sites all over the west which aim at keeping a staunch Muslim close to his or her Muslim culture, or practice.

It may be a little hard especially for the weak Muslim in the west to follow through with their culture. This could be attributed to the fact that they may want to fit in with the new society they find themselves in. Major examples are the Muslim children especially the teenagers. If they find themselves in a non-Muslim only school, then to help them not feel discriminated from the rest of the crowd at school, they tend to follow the western trends. For example, in order not to have to explain their Ramadan season, and why they are fasting, they will opt to say that they are on a diet, which will be likely to raise less eye-brows from their peers.

For the teenage girls, much as they may come from strict Muslim upbringing, some tend to copy their western peers in order to avoid the bullying that comes with being different or in order to fit in with the rest of the crowd. It can come as no surprise to find a teenage Muslim girl, leaving her parent’s or guardian’s home in a Muslim attire, and carrying a spare to change into before they reach school, the spare is normally what is on the trend in terms of the girls fashion, which could be a short version than what they are expected to wear.

For the Muslims especially teenagers who are determined to remain true to their religion however, can still do so in the west. There are a number of organizations that are set up to help Muslims remain true to their religion and practices. Parents are also opting to take their children to all Muslim schools so that the Muslim culture can be instilled in them and avoid being affected by the west culture.

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