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Indian Muslims are known to constitute 16.5 percent of the country’s population, as it is only the second most practiced religion after Hinduism. After Indonesia, India houses the second largest population of Muslims in the world. Muslims in India have known to have contributed largely to the country, in terms of social, cultural and political fields. They also played a big role in the fight for freedom from British rule.
Islam was introduced in India during the 7th century, when the Arabs traded with India. Since then, it has been on the constant rise in numbers. The rise in numbers can be attributed to some converts from other religions, and all the descendants of the first Muslims. Many native Indians believe that Islam was forced upon the country by foreign invaders.
Muslims in India are governed by the “Muslim personal law’. Indian Muslims have also resisted the common civil code, saying that it was a way to dilute their cultural minority in the country. They have also a long drawn out history of communal riots with Hindus. This can be dated back to the so called Muslim invasion of India. Hindus believe that they were natives of the land in India.
Indian Muslims play a very important role in several fields like the film industry, advertising, and even software service providers. They are also prominent on the sports fields. While a large number of people criticize the minimal role of Muslims in Indian development, they have failed to notice that many Indian Muslims migrated to the Middle East over several years.
Several Indian Muslims follow the Sunni, otherwise known as the Sufi traditions. In this spiritual path, one may attain oneness with God, and may take on disciples who will follow the spiritual lineage for many years. There are several factors though that checked the growth of Islam in India.
Social scientists seem to determine that the low profile of Muslims in India can be dated back to the history of their origin. There are several theories about their origin, and puts them in a delicate situation. They may also lack good leadership among themselves. Their culture has however left a stamp in the country in the form of exotic monuments, in several regions of India.|
Communal divide in the country between Indian Muslims and other religious communities, were based upon the political face, and how the Muslims were involved in racing against the others in making a stand for themselves in the political world of the country. If they had only thought about spiritual Islam, and concentrated on those values alone, communal divides would not have risen.
Muslims in India should have never been involved in any kind of politics. If they had only been recognized as a religious and social group, questions about their identity probably would have never arisen. Keeping the Indian Muslims under a perpetual siege is not going to help. It may rise to Islamic fundamentalism, which the country is not interested in.
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