Project On:

Westernization Effect on Muslim World

By:

Maryam

And

Arsheya Kawal

Department Of Anthropology

Faculty of Social Science

Introduction:

Anthropologists define culture as that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and other capabilities acquired by people as members of society. Culture is the cornerstone of a civilized society.

Pakistani culture itself is very unique and highly diverse. With each ethnic group deriving its identity from its characteristic cultural values and norms which eventually makes it distinct from others.

Increasing globalization has increased the influence of western culture in Pakistan, specifically to the affluent, which have easy access to television and other forms of electronic media, western products and food. There is a noticeable increase in the number of famous western food chain outlets in Pakistan.

 This increasing trend of westernization has taken hostage our local culture in numerous aspects. 

Influence of Westernization on Joint Family System:

Pakistani social culture is losing its value and seems to be vanishing from the scene. It is being replaced by a culture of individuality. The youth of today believes in independence and individuality as a result crime rate increase.

Influence of Westernization on Cooking System:

The traditional concept of home-cooked food in our culture is being replaced by fast food meals from renowned restaurants like KFC, Pizza Hut and McDonalds. Pakistani dishes which were famous for their taste, hardly seem to find acceptance amongst the youth. 

Influence of Westernization on Drinks:

 Today we see cold drinks being used to such an extent that they are part of almost every meal, even in formal dinners instead of using Lasi .

Influence of Westernization on Language:

Our national language Urdu is being replaced by English as the more common language used in the conversations. The reason, being increased number of English medium schools in our society. Surprisingly the influence is to such an extent that some part of the youth feels ashamed of speaking Urdu. We have started using English as a tool to distinguish between the classes; high and low class. Presently, there is a peculiar phenomenon, whereby people who are proficient in speaking English are considered to be belonging to the elite class. Same is the case with our mother language and local languages as well. People always mix their languages with English so rapidly and boldly. This is also one of the reasons which is being caused disturbance in our literature as well.

My second point is that due to Private School System there are two major issue cause by Westernization . First being as Muslim Nation our basic language should be Arabic but our private school make English as basic language. As we all aware of this that Quran is our Holy Book and to understand our Holy Book we need to learn Arabic language first.

Second :

In Islam there is clearly describe that girls and boys have keep a limited distance being a Muslim Nation we should have separate classes for both of them but unfortunately co-education has now emerge in our society.

Influence of Westernization on Clothing

These days western influence can be seen all around, but most specifically it can be seen in the way

Pakistanis have started dressing up. Whatever fashion becomes popular abroad, it is being adopted

by people here, without thinking that it is not meant for their body type or cultural values. Also the

Pakistani fashion industry is so inspired by the foreign styles that they don't even hesitate before

introducing revealing clothes in their collection. In fact people who carry out their own culture in

dressing like Shalwar Qameez and Waist coat seem more decent and grace full.

table4.2: Youth And Western Fashion

Q NO1; Western fashion has become a status symbol for us?

Agreed Neutral Disagreed

60% 17% 23%

The above statements lead to the conclusion that youth believe that western fashions have become a status symbol for them and are greatly interested in following western fashion as well.

As ALLAH (Swt) Said In Quran:

Surah Al-Ahzab : Verse No 59 of 73 

'"O Prophet! Tell to your wives, and daughters and Muslim women, that they should keep putting a part of their wrapping covers over their faces. This is nearer than this that if they are recognized, they should not be annoyed. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful".

Relationships before Marriage

A new trend in Pakistan is the emergence of the boyfriend/ girlfriend relation which starts at the age

of 15 (hopefully). Parents send their children to schools and universities to study but unfortunately

they end up into some other activities. There's no right or wrong over here it's not bad to like

someone but is it good to have relationships that are not meant to last? People have come forward

with this western culture of going out together and dating in the "Cafe's" . Being physical in a

relationship is not much of a big deal and they actually think it's cool.

As ALLAH (Swt) Said In Quran:

1)Surah An-Nur : Verse No 26

"Dirty women are for dirty men and dirty men for dirty women and clean women are for clean men

and clean men for clean women; they are free from what they are saying. For them is forgiveness

and honorable provision."

2)Surah An-Nur : Verse No 30

"Order the Muslim men to lower down their sights a little and to guard their private parts. This is

cleaner for them; undoubtedly, Allah is Aware of their deeds."

Influence of Westernization On celebrations:

Eids and Ramadan in Pakistan is slowly and steadily losing its charm Especially for the children aging from 18yrs onwards, they have become bored of eids and are less interested in its preparations. Nowadays, with the changing trends in fashion and lifestyle, youngsters have become too much influenced by media and their surroundings that their interests have diverted elsewhere. For example, they are more enthusiastic about Holi, Diwali, Christmas, Halloween, valentine and New Year. All these celebrations are not included in our culture but yet we find them more amusing and enjoyable. Same is the case in birthdays and many other events which are not the part of our culture and which have no historical clue but youth hold it all very consciously and proudly.

If we come to our religious norms the way our elder celebrated the holly months like Mohharam, Rabi ul awl and many other regarding their importance and blessings are just a part of history or

celebrated by very minimum number of peoples currently. In fact these all celebrations are becoming an indoor activities while we have seen and celebrated all these openly in our childhood.

Influence of Westernization in politics:

Westernization has disturbed our all cultural and National means. It has also altered the political system in our society. Major part of it has contributed by international law system by United Nations.

westernization of Muslim societies has certain aspects and one of its reasons are Muslim states were at the decline and was unable to produce the economical and military advancement whereas west had improved in the said field by leaps and bonds. west had systematically pave its way to Muslim societies, West penetrated into the Islamic lands politically, militarily and economically controlled over the economy which has influenced and shaped the politics.

Westernization has occurred in the process of colonization, colonies strove for independence, often inspired by nationalistic movements new states often adopted some aspects of Western politics such as the adoption of a constitution, Parliamentary form of government in which their members are directly elected by the people, every one directly involved and shape the government.

The stability of government, efficiency of political parties, and a strong political culture create a politically stable state. Political stability has become important especially for the developing and underdeveloped countries. after colonialism the new emerging states had been divided into liberals supporting western values and conservative supporting the revival of political Islam. the rift between different sects decline the political Islam and increased the influence of western norm and values in politics.

political Islam has been failed in the past to produce social, economical and militarily whereas democracy is considered the participatory politics, everyone has the right to decide their fate it also stable the political system and it has direct effect on state and nation building. both these process requires stable political system for growth and to flourish The development of nation and state without firm and organized system of politics is not possible and government becomes only a tug of war amongst various interest groups.

westernization has paved the way for society to get their due shares . it has become pre-condition for the nation-building, and nation-building is a process necessary for the survival and development of a nation. The process of nation-building works two- fold, it works towards identity formation of a nation which results in integration of society, and obviously an integrated society plays an important part into state-building that includes the development of administrative infrastructure of the state.

Secularizationsecularization is the transformation of a society from religious values and institutions toward nonreligious values and secular institutions. The secularization thesis refers to the belief that as societies progress, particularly through modernization and rationalization, religion loses its authority in all aspects of social life and governance . The term secularization is also used in the context of the lifting of the monastic restrictions from a member of the clergy.

Secularization refers to the historical process in which religion loses social and cultural significance. As a result of secularization the role of religion in modern societies becomes restricted. In secularized societies faith lacks cultural authority, religious organizations have little social power.

Secularization has many levels of meaning, both as a theory and a historical process. Social theorists such as Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, Max Weber, and Émile Durkheim, postulated that the modernization of society would include a decline in levels of religiosity. Study of this process seeks to determine the manner in which, or extent to which religious creeds, practices and institutions are losing social significance. Some theorists argue that the secularization of modern civilization partly results from our inability to adapt broad ethical and spiritual needs of mankind to the increasingly fast advance of the physical sciences.i

i 1) Al Quran 2) (Sana Iqbal ,M.Sc From Media And Communication Studies. Research On" Role Of Media In Encouraging Western Fashion amongst Pakistani Youth".2011.) 3) http://insideoutpakistan.blogspot.com/