ON RELIGION, IDENTITY, AND THE WEST

Caliphate From Young Canadians’ Perspective

The History of Religious Leadership

Christianity: East-West Schism due to political reasons, geography, and divergence in creed, resulting in division of Christianity into Catholic & Orthodox Churches

Islam: First & Second Fitnas, disagreement between appointed caliphs resulting in the eventual formation of sects (Sunni and Shi’a)

“Off-shoots” of Islam naming own caliph, e.g. Ahmadiyyat.

The Muslim Identity

Many sects prevent there from being a singular “Muslim” identity

Immigration & Westernization causes dilution of Muslim identity, especially in young people

Therefore, a singular, nondenominational Muslim leader, or “caliph,” is incompatible with modern Muslim identity, realistically

Westernization & Immigration

Muslim “diaspora” into non-Islamic countries worldwide prevent the feasibility of a “unified” Muslim state headed by a caliph

Western concept of “Separation of Church and State” is considered a “right,” which conflicts with the ideology of caliphate & unified Muslim state

Muslims in non-Islamic countries would default to their political leader, leaving a religious one to hold no real power over them

Connotations Of A Unified Islamic State

Possible negative perceptions by Western leaders and population, contributing to a further officiated Islamophobia in countries like the U.S.A. Resulting in possible dissonance within the Muslim

community worldwide, specifically those living under Western leadership Already prevalent because of “Islam” being associated

with “fundamentalism” due to events such as 9/11 and other “terrorism”: “Radical Muslims” vs. “Modern Muslims”

Another cause for disagreement are sects and the divergence of Muslim beliefs (outlined earlier)

SARAH & MAVRA CHOUDHRY

Thank you for listening!