Interpreting Islam On Plural Society

Abstract

This paper seeks to provide a descriptive and analytical perspective about how Islam can be interpreted by Muslims in plural societies with two contrasting results. The paper will then build on these results, provides two other variations, thus providing a spectrum of views on Islam and a plural society in one continuum. The paper also offers an extrapolation of the Muslim’s attitude and treatment of non-Muslims in two different contexts; Muslims as a majority group in a Muslim country or a minority in a non-Muslim country. The two contexts are chosen because they represent the current contemporary modern settings, which Muslims are facing today. Finally, the paper offers some reasons that explain the divergence of views and sometimes even contradicting interpretations that influences and shapes Muslims’ attitude towards plural society.