Muslims everywhere agree on the Shahada, the

profession of faith: “There is no God but Allah.” But

Islam is far from homogeneous- the faith reflects the

increasingly diverse areas in which it is practiced. “Islam

-is a world religion” said Ali Asian, a Harvard professor

of the Ind-Muslim Languages and Culture. “If you

think about doctrine and theology, when these sets of

religious idea and concepts are transferred to different

parts of the world- and Muslims live in many cultures

and speak many different languages- the expressions of

Bi hose doctrines and theology will necessarily be influenced

by local culture

Some Islamic fundamentalists might frown upon ans
diversity caused by local characteristics. but such are the
predominant forms of Islam. Rather than discussing
Islam, we might more accurately lank about ‘Islams* in
different cultural contexts.” Asani said.
Islam came to Indonesia with merchants who were
not theologians but simply practicing Muslims who
scope looked to as an example. There were also Sufi
teachers who were quite willing to create devotional
exercise that fit the way people in Sumatra or Java
already practiced their faith.
In South Africa the Muslim community is less than
there percent of the population- but it’s highly visible
and highly educated. In the days of apartheid they had
the advantage of being an intermediary, a community
that was neither Muslim leadership became very
opposed to apartheid on Islamic grounds and on basic
st myna right grounds. Muslims became quite active in
the African National Congress (ANC). Encompassing
Both Islamic states and minority communities, Islam is
ac world’s fastest goring religion and an increasingly
ammo topic of global conversation. Yet much of the
course paints the faith with a single brush. As more
pis become familiar with Islam around the world it

yell for them to first ask, as professor Agni
 meet Whose Islam? Which Islam?”