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Introduction
Once the notion “globalization” became widespread and discussed widely by intellectual circles, the idea of the national identity being in danger was one of the main themes of discussion.
Learned people all over the world voiced their apprehension and fear that “globalization” is just another name for westernization or Americanization”. When you consult the internet on ‘globalization and culture’ you will find thousands of sites on this topic surpassing all other topics in the field of globalization.
But in Islam even though such fear and apprehension exists, the basics for maintaining and protecting the Islamic identity are firmly established in the scriptures of Islam (Qura’an and Sunnah) and the behavior of the first generations of Islam (that is the prophet’s companion and the early period of Islam.)
This paper will be divided into two sections: The first will look briefly into the definition of "Globalization" and its relation to national identity.
The second will look into the methods globalization tries to alter or affect the national or Muslim identity and the sources for the basic principles governing the way a Muslim identify himself. What are the basic characters a Muslim must posses in order to be a Muslim.
We will also try in this section to search the possibilities whether such teachings can stand the challenges of globalization and how we can use them as an effective tool for that purpose. |