{"id":10492,"date":"2022-07-16T13:32:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-16T13:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onepathnetwork.com\/?p=10492"},"modified":"2022-08-10T04:40:12","modified_gmt":"2022-08-10T04:40:12","slug":"why-are-people-converting-to-islam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onepathnetwork.com\/au\/news\/why-are-people-converting-to-islam\/","title":{"rendered":"Why are people converting to Islam?"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/amp-jwplayer>\n\n\n

6 Reasons why westerners are converting to Islam.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Islam<\/a><\/em> is currently the fastest growing religion in the world<\/b>, which may come as surprise to many, considering the amount of negative coverage it constantly receives in the media. There are currently 1.8 billion Muslims in the world and that is nearly one-fourth of the world population, making it <\/span>the world\u2019s second largest religion<\/b>, after Christianity (<\/span>Pew Research Centre)<\/span>. But why is this the case? Why are people converting to Islam?<\/span><\/p>\n

It has been estimated that within the second half of this century (around the year of 2050), <\/span>Islam will become the world\u2019s largest religious group<\/i><\/strong>. This is due to faster birth rates and the increase in the number of people converting to Islam.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, why are so many people converting to Islam?<\/span><\/h3>\n

It is important to first understand that the Muslim population is extremely <\/span>diverse<\/b> and spreads across the globe. Although it is often associated with Arabs and the Middle East, only 15% of Muslims are Arab! The largest populations stem from southeast Asia (comprising more than 60% of the world’s total) with Indonesia currently holding the largest population of Muslims (<\/span>Pew Research Centre<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n


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Regional Distribution of Muslims (2017)<\/b><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Asia Pacific: 986,420,000<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Middle East\/ North Africa: 370,070,000<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Sub Saharan Africa: 248,420,000<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Europe: 43,470,000<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. North America: 3,480,000<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Latin America\/ Caribbean: 840,000<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Countries With the Largest Muslim Populations (approximations)<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. \n

      Indonesia: 225 million<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    2. \n

      Pakistan: 181 million<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    3. \n

      India: 172 million<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    4. \n

      Bangladesh: 146.6 million<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    5. \n

      Nigeria: 104 million<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    6. \n

      Egypt: 83 million<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    7. \n

      Iran: 79.8 million<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    8. \n

      Turkey: 79.5 million<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    9. \n

      Algeria 40.61 million<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    10. \n

      Sudan: 38 million<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    11. \n

      Iraq: 37.2 million<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    12. \n

      Morocco: 35 million<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Pew Research Centre<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

      Various studies have assessed the reasons why so many westerners are converting to Islam. This article will combine information that was obtained in studies conducted in America and Britain, as these countries have the highest conversion rates<\/span><\/p>\n

      The Irony Of Negative Media Attention<\/h3>\n

      Firstly, the media\u2019s coverage in relation to Islam is predominantly negative. This consequently has to lead a lot of people to further research the ideologies and concepts of Islam, to find out if it really is a religion of war, oppression or terrorism. To their surprise, many found the <\/span>peace and beauty within Islam<\/b>, and the more they read and researched about Islam, the more they discovered how contradictory their original beliefs were. Further, in a study conducted by the University of Cambridge, a woman said she converted due to the apparent \u201c<\/span>Tranquility and stability despite the difficulties they experienced<\/b>\u201d. Another man claimed that when he realised that Muslims greet each other by saying \u201cPeace be Upon you\u201d, Islam could not be a religion of terrorism.<\/span><\/p>\n

      The Simple yet Significant Teachings of Islam<\/h3>\n

      Next, upon researching Islam, many realised how its doctrine is<\/span> simple and rational<\/b>. The most crucial factor in Islam that differentiates it from other religions, it to believe in God & that Muhammad is His messenger. Further, it is required to pray 5 times a day, give charity, fast in Ramadan and perform Hajj (at least once a lifetime). <\/span><\/p>\n

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      \u201cIslam is raised on five (pillars), testifying that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is His messenger, the establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat (charity), Performing Hajj and the fast of Ramadan.<\/span><\/i>\u201d <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

      Muslim<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

      It provides <\/span>direction and discipline<\/b>, which is another core reason why many convert. \u00a0Contemporary society lacks discipline, and many believe that it is slowly disintegrating. Through Islam, hope is restored for an orderly life, with guidelines that ensure discipline is maintained, both for oneself and in broader society. A woman claimed that when researching about the modesty of women, she found that Islam \u201cisn\u2019t self-restricting but a way to implement and learn self-control.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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      Many hold the ideology that Islam oppresses women, perhaps due to the fact that women have to wear a headscarf, or once again due to false media representations. However, Islam was actually the first religion to explicitly give women their own rights. 1400 years ago, girls used to be buried alive out of shame of having a daughter. However, as soon as Islam was introduced, it instantly banned the burial of children. <\/span><\/p>\n

      Quran 81:8-9<\/a> & 17:31<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

      Rights of Women<\/h4>\n

      The Quran further exemplifies the vast amount of rights that it gives to women. Some of the <\/span>many<\/span><\/i> rights are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n