Western Culture Research Paper

Western culture, through the use of media, internet, movies, music, style and entertainment have affected Islam and in particular, Islamic youth by turning many away from Islamic basic values and embracing more modern values of the West. The effects from Western culture are evolving and being interwoven with traditional Islamic culture in the day to day lives of many Muslims. To some who live in Islamic cultures, especially the younger people it might be viewed as a step forward in the freedom to enjoy many aspects of life not allowed by Islam. But to others who hold the values of Islam as the only acceptable way of life, it may be considered an affront to basic Islamic beliefs. To understand what affect Western culture may have in the future, …show more content…
For example, the Arab Spring uprisings would possibly not have happened without the use of social media. The Islamic youth of Egypt used social media to organize the demonstrations including the date, time and place. Social media enabled them to share their ideals with a large number of people to garner the support and participation of thousands of Egyptian citizens. But the effects of social media go beyond just the political aspects of Islam, they infiltrate the social activities of Islamic youth in particular. Those in Islamic societies now have the opportunity to interact with each other as well as others of Western culture to share and compare ideas, values and the general quality of living. A person living in Egypt for example with an impoverished way of life might see the Western way of life as more desirable, happy and free causing a person to want to emanate what he or she sees on the internet or social …show more content…
With Western culture finding the way into Islamic cultures change was and is inevitable. For those with deep rooted intrinsic beliefs in the Quran and the teachings of Islam, the changes and evolution of their culture to include more Western ways is probably seen as more a threat to Islam than an enhancement. Finding a balance between the two cultures and integrating not only Western culture into Islamic culture but the reverse as well, not only requires an open mind but a desire for change. For the youth in Islamic culture, freedoms of expression and having monetary goals may seem more appealing than strictly following the older teachings of the Quran. Perhaps it is the youth of Islam that might find a way acceptable to all to not only embrace some Western cultural ways while not turning their back on the more strict black and white teachings of Islam. The future, is in the hands of the Islamic youth and to find the balance of West and Islam may be a long journey, but one in which only they can