Westernization Effect on Muslim World

1. Project On:
Westernization Effect on Muslim World
By:
Maryam
And
Arsheya Kawal
Department Of Anthropology
Faculty of Social Science

2. 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:

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. Secularization
secularization 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 EncouragingWestern
Fashion amongstPakistani Youth".2011.)
3) http://insideoutpakistan.blogspot.com/