Interpreting Islam and Plural Society

Abstract

This article seeks to provide a descriptive and analytical perspective about how Islam can be interpreted by Muslims in plural societies with two contrasting results. Building on those results, this article provides two other variations, thus providing a spectrum of views on Islam and a plural society in one continuum. The article also offers an extrapolation of Muslim attitudes and treatment of non-Muslims in two different contexts; where Muslims are a majority group or as a minority in a non-Muslim country. The two contexts are chosen because they represent the contemporary setting, in which many Muslims find themselves today. Finally, the article offers some reasons that explain the divergence of views and sometimes even contradicting interpretations that influence and shape Muslim attitudes towards plural societies.