Muslims in western countries are insecure of their own culture?

Posted: 9 years ago
It seems like they are insecure of their own culture, and when they come to a western country, they have trouble adjusting to it. instead of asking westerners to embedded their culture, why can't they do the same? 
Posted: 9 years ago
Firstly I would like to begin by pointing out your viewpoint has some flaws; no offence.
Islam isn't a culture it's a religious belief, you know praying five times a day, headscarf, respecting elders etc etc.
Secondly the fact that your main question states that they're insecure of their own culture and then go on to saying they have trouble adjusting to Western culture. That in my opinion is contradictory. If they were insecure,wouldn't they be more willing to fit into the 'western culture'.

Thirdly what is Western culture? How is it defined? As a belief, a way of living, a way of dressing, a way of socialising?
In the UK there isn't a 'set Western culture' as such. The thing is I am from the UK and I am muslim. 
If by culture you mean clothes- then a lot of the younger generation and some of the older generation do wear western clothes.
If by culture you mean language then I'm pretty sure, the majority of the 'muslim community' can speak enough English to understand or get by in daily life. A lot of the younger generation speak fluently.
If by  culture you mean food then I'm once again certain that as long as there is no pork or the food is halal, they have adopted some Western cuisine. 

Now what I'm annoyed at is that without researching this topic you have assumed muslims do not want to fit into Western culture. Where is your proof? Also all due respect why should they? 
Culture is defined by people, society, morals, ethics, community. The UK is a multi-cultural society and most of its inhabitants are proud to be associated with this and the level of tolerance it provides for people of different faiths and cultures.

So please, my request is that you research the topic thoroughly before posting such an insulting view of the muslim community. 
Edited by hot babe - 9 years ago
Posted: 9 years ago
@ hot babe, you said

"the fact that your main question states that they're insecure of their own culture and then go on to saying they have trouble adjusting to Western culture. That in my opinion is contradictory. If they were insecure,wouldn't they be more willing to fit into the 'western culture'."

In my opinion, if one is secure about their own culture, they would easily fit in with others culture.

For example, I am proud of my culture and just because I adopt some western ways of living doesn't mean I am any less proud and comfortable with my own culture. That is, I don't need to pretend to be comfy with my culture by shunning other cultures. If he had said "why are muslims ashamed with their own culture and not adjusting to western culture". Then it would be contradictory.

Anyway his assumption about muslims is not necessarily true. For example my muslim friends in britain, usa etc are very westernised yet proud of their religion and it's implied way of life. Similarly I am westernised and eat all sorts of meat and swear, But I am a proud hindu and loves speeches by yogi adityanath and narendra modi and shouting "jai shree ram!" and "mandir wahin baayenge". I do like a lot of my culture and still like the ways of the west in many instances.

Also you said Islam is more of a belief than a culture. I feel that one's beliefs affect the way of life, or culture, directly or indirectly.
Edited by mr.ass - 9 years ago
Posted: 9 years ago
I think it is pretty fair to say a lot of people will feel a bit insecure when they are a minority group - that is just normal. About Islam in particular and assimilation, that is far more complex. 
Firstly, one should note that migration should be seen as a two way street. Many OCED countries need migrants to sustain their growth - whilst migrants typically are looking for better life. Still, at times - especially in regards to Islam - there is a lot of islamophobic narratives (aka: France).

When a population is not given the appropriate tools to integrate, they become alienate and do exactly the opposite - do not integrate. 

Again, a lot of groups may feel alienated - not just islam. A lot of minority groups (non-white) do tend to feel alienated, even in places like Canada which has better systems and institutions to help migrants become productive members of society. 

That is my 2 cents as someone who grew up in Canada.

By the way, hot-babe: by culture = set of collective norms people tend to agree upon. In the west, we are usually talking about liberty, and freedom. 
Edited by Eric.Engineer - 9 years ago
Posted: 9 years ago
Hey there! First, I just like to point something out for everyone. There's no such thing as Muslim 'culture.' I know that people are probably going to roll their eyes and tell me that I should go for the meaning implied by the questions instead of being nitpicky but that's the problem here. People around the world think that Islam is a culture. It's not. It's a religion. I like to make that distinction because people tend to associate every bad thing happening to any muslim in any country to all of Islam because they think of it as a 'culture' and not a religion. Places where women are getting circumcised, people are saying that it's a Islamic problem just because there are muslim people living there as well. People automatically assume that if one culture or country that has Muslim in it has it then it must be a 'culture' for all muslim. It's really not and I feel that's a really gross generalization. 

That being said, I feel that I don't understand your questions. Why do you think Muslim are insecure? Yes, they could be wary of what others think of them but you can't really fault them for that. They have had lots of hate crimes and discrimination happen to them. My close friend is Muslim and a police literally pulled her aside and checked her bags for no reason. I was with her and I wasn't checked. Things like that make them feel like they are not part of the society that's using its biases to judge them. It's easy to say that Muslims are insecure but it's a hard shoe to fill. They are not insecure but cautious of being labeled things that they don't associate with. Before anyone says that 'then why are they scared to be labeled something they are not?' Well, I personally feel that no one liked to be isolated. When you're made to feel like an outsider, you either hold tighter to the identity that you do have, Or you learn to strip yourself of that identity and transform yourself into someone other people do approve of - a mere shadow of a person you used to be. I am not trying to be dramatic and I have seen people take off their hijabs because they were discriminated against. People look at them differently. They are the ones bearing the sights of apathy from others. It's not a best feeling to have. They are not insecure of being Muslim. They are insecure of living in a culture that wont accept them for who they are. Some of them don't have a choice but to live there since they were born and raise there and have no means to travel somewhere they feel more secure. Others hold tighter to their identity and tell the society to 'buzz off!'

Also, there are many Muslims living in Western countries completely ok with being Muslims. They are lucky to have friends and surroundings that accept them for their religion. There are a lot of faces to your questions. However, I don't see how one can be insecure of a culture when really it's not a culture at all. Culture is known to be manmade. However, religion is more innate and spiritual. One can let go of culture but religion is really hard to let go of.

I am hoping that I haven't offended anyone. I do apologize if I did. It's just that this topic really is very personal to me and I just can't stay quiet especially when there's so much going on around the world.
Edited by Shona_Mayur - 9 years ago
Posted: 9 years ago
Originally posted by Shona_Mayur


Hey there! First, I just like to point something out for everyone. There's no such thing as Muslim 'culture.' I know that people are probably going to roll their eyes and tell me that I should go for the meaning implied by the questions instead of being nitpicky but that's the problem here. People around the world think that Islam is a culture. It's not. It's a religion. I like to make that distinction because people tend to associate every bad thing happening to any muslim in any country to all of Islam because they think of it as a 'culture' and not a religion. Places where women are getting circumcised, people are saying that it's a Islamic problem just because there are muslim people living there as well. People automatically assume that if one culture or country that has Muslim in it has it then it must be a 'culture' for all muslim. It's really not and I feel that's a really gross generalization.

That being said, I feel that I don't understand your questions. Why do you think Muslim are insecure? Yes, they could be wary of what others think of them but you can't really fault them for that. They have had lots of hate crimes and discrimination happen to them. My close friend is Muslim and a police literally pulled her aside and checked her bags for no reason. I was with her and I wasn't checked. Things like that make them feel like they are not part of the society that's using its biases to judge them. It's easy to say that Muslims are insecure but it's a hard shoe to fill. They are not insecure but cautious of being labeled things that they don't associate with. Before anyone says that 'then why are they scared to be labeled something they are not?' Well, I personally feel that no one liked to be isolated. When you're made to feel like an outsider, you either hold tighter to the identity that you do have, Or you learn to strip yourself of that identity and transform yourself into someone other people do approve of - a mere shadow of a person you used to be. I am not trying to be dramatic and I have seen people take off their hijabs because they were discriminated against. People look at them differently. They are the ones bearing the sights of apathy from others. It's not a best feeling to have. They are not insecure of being Muslim. They are insecure of living in a culture that wont accept them for who they are. Some of them don't have a choice but to live there since they were born and raise there and have no means to travel somewhere they feel more secure. Others hold tighter to their identity and tell the society to 'buzz off!'

Also, there are many Muslims living in Western countries completely ok with being Muslims. They are lucky to have friends and surroundings that accept them for their culture. There are a lot of faces to your questions. However, I don't see how one can be insecure of a culture when really it's not a culture at all. Culture is known to be manmade. However, religion is more innate and spiritual. One can let go of culture but religion is really hard to let go of.

I am hoping that I haven't offended anyone. I do apologize if I did. It's just that this topic really is very personal to me and I just can't stay quiet especially when there's so much going on around the world.

😊 👏 thanks for this awesome reply.
Posted: 9 years ago
islam is the best religion in the world
Posted: 9 years ago
Originally posted by hot babe


Firstly I would like to begin by pointing out your viewpoint has some flaws; no offence.
Islam isn't a culture it's a religious belief, you know praying five times a day, headscarf, respecting elders etc etc.
Secondly the fact that your main question states that they're insecure of their own culture and then go on to saying they have trouble adjusting to Western culture. That in my opinion is contradictory. If they were insecure,wouldn't they be more willing to fit into the 'western culture'.

Thirdly what is Western culture? How is it defined? As a belief, a way of living, a way of dressing, a way of socialising?
In the UK there isn't a 'set Western culture' as such. The thing is I am from the UK and I am muslim. 
If by culture you mean clothes- then a lot of the younger generation and some of the older generation do wear western clothes.
If by culture you mean language then I'm pretty sure, the majority of the 'muslim community' can speak enough English to understand or get by in daily life. A lot of the younger generation speak fluently.
If by  culture you mean food then I'm once again certain that as long as there is no pork or the food is halal, they have adopted some Western cuisine. 

Now what I'm annoyed at is that without researching this topic you have assumed muslims do not want to fit into Western culture. Where is your proof? Also all due respect why should they? 
Culture is defined by people, society, morals, ethics, community. The UK is a multi-cultural society and most of its inhabitants are proud to be associated with this and the level of tolerance it provides for people of different faiths and cultures.

So please, my request is that you research the topic thoroughly before posting such an insulting view of the muslim community. 


well said👏
Posted: 9 years ago
Originally posted by hot babe


Firstly I would like to begin by pointing out your viewpoint has some flaws; no offence.
Islam isn't a culture it's a religious belief, you know praying five times a day, headscarf, respecting elders etc etc.
Secondly the fact that your main question states that they're insecure of their own culture and then go on to saying they have trouble adjusting to Western culture. That in my opinion is contradictory. If they were insecure,wouldn't they be more willing to fit into the 'western culture'.

Thirdly what is Western culture? How is it defined? As a belief, a way of living, a way of dressing, a way of socialising?
In the UK there isn't a 'set Western culture' as such. The thing is I am from the UK and I am muslim. 
If by culture you mean clothes- then a lot of the younger generation and some of the older generation do wear western clothes.
If by culture you mean language then I'm pretty sure, the majority of the 'muslim community' can speak enough English to understand or get by in daily life. A lot of the younger generation speak fluently.
If by  culture you mean food then I'm once again certain that as long as there is no pork or the food is halal, they have adopted some Western cuisine. 

Now what I'm annoyed at is that without researching this topic you have assumed muslims do not want to fit into Western culture. Where is your proof? Also all due respect why should they? 
Culture is defined by people, society, morals, ethics, community. The UK is a multi-cultural society and most of its inhabitants are proud to be associated with this and the level of tolerance it provides for people of different faiths and cultures.

So please, my request is that you research the topic thoroughly before posting such an insulting view of the muslim community. 

I respectfully disagree, Islam is a religion, of course but Islam requires so much from individuals, from their eating habits, to praying five times a day. This means, there is something common about the way people live in Indonesia, Pakistan and a muslim in Iceland. So, of course,there will be a common culture. 

Cultures are complex, so yes, there are major differences between someone in Indonesia, and Pakistan, but there are a lot of things that are common too. 

In terms of your next question: there is such a thing as western culture, it derives from Ancient Greece, and built on the idea of knowledge and reason. Typically, westerners then to feel strongly about freedom of speech, democracy, gender equatilty...  

Finally, I don't think the question is insulting. It is a fact, that there lies a lot of challenges in terms of integration of muslims in western countries, so it is important to be able to have discussions so we can move forward...
Posted: 9 years ago
Originally posted by Eric.Engineer



I respectfully disagree, Islam is a religion, of course but Islam requires so much from individuals, from their eating habits, to praying five times a day. This means, there is something common about the way people live in Indonesia, Pakistan and a muslim in Iceland. So, of course,there will be a common culture. 

Cultures are complex, so yes, there are major differences between someone in Indonesia, and Pakistan, but there are a lot of things that are common too. 

In terms of your next question: there is such a thing as western culture, it derives from Ancient Greece, and built on the idea of knowledge and reason. Typically, westerners then to feel strongly about freedom of speech, democracy, gender equatilty...  

Finally, I don't think the question is insulting. It is a fact, that there lies a lot of challenges in terms of integration of muslims in western countries, so it is important to be able to have discussions so we can move forward...

What I don't understand is what you mean about challenges in terms of integration? Assimilation happens with culture. If an American Christian goes and lives in India, you would not ask them to change the religion. You would ask them to maybe learn more about their culture and, if they feel like it, participate in that culture when it comes to holidays and such. And in return, India would the person to respect their culture. However, when a Muslim (in similar terms) comes to US or any western country, he/she has to somehow become more western? Just because they have restrictions to follow, does not mean a religion is backward (as you have said that 'we can move foward'). Why can't a person be muslim, live with all the restriction, which he/she so willfully chooses? The person is still participating in western culture by getting an education, getting a job, making western friends and colleagues. How can you say that they have integration problems? Please give me stats on this. Because I have seen people say that a lot but I haven't seen any proof of it. Yes, they are wary as I have already said before. But that is only because they are looked at weirdly just because they may be dressed differently. It's the society that makes them an outcast, not they themselves. 

Also, another issue I have is what you mention of culture. See, the culture can be molded according to times. BUT religion isn't. Different countries come with their own history and culture that they mold into a distorted view of religion. That culture comes from their respective past, which has nothing to do with past of religion. That is why, you can't categorize one countries muslims with another. It's like saying that Indian Christian and American Christian are from the same culture. They are NOT! They are the same religion but Indian and American culture differ a lot. It's the same concept. They may have similarities in them but that doesn't mean that they're the same culture. 

Lastly, Western countries pride themselves in saying that they have FREEDOM of EXPRESSION and RELIGION, yet alas. The only thing I see from others is their strong will to judge. How can someone be free to express and feel comfortable to share their religion or culture with everyone else if they do not feel comfortable? After all, won't you need to feel a little comfortable with a culture to want to integrate?

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