Islamic organizations, claiming to represent the interests of the 8 to 9 million-strong Muslim immigrant communities in Western Europe, have been asserting a human rights claim to communal autonomy... Show moreIslamic organizations, claiming to represent the interests of the 8 to 9 million-strong Muslim immigrant communities in Western Europe, have been asserting a human rights claim to communal autonomy to apply Islamic law, the sharica, to their family or personal matters. Always included among the latter are marriage, divorce and inheritance. Show less
Islam originated in the Arab peninsula in the 7th century. Currently, of the 175 million speakers of the Arabic language, some 90% are Muslim. The fact is, however, that they constitute only 15% of... Show moreIslam originated in the Arab peninsula in the 7th century. Currently, of the 175 million speakers of the Arabic language, some 90% are Muslim. The fact is, however, that they constitute only 15% of the estimated 148,750,000 Muslims of the world. As the second major proselytizing religion (second only to Christianity) to emerge within the Semitic tradition, Islam, in the past, spread to the various regions of the world through peaceful as well as military means. In that very long phase, it established itself primarily in Asia and Africa. Of the six most populous Muslim countries of the world - Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Turkey and Iran - none are Arab, and in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria has more Muslims than any of the Maghreb countries of North Africa. Show less
