영국의 이주 무슬림 공동체와 다문화주의에 대한 연구

Abstract

the United Kingdom, Islam and Muslims increase in terms of number and visible presence, while Christianity and Christians decrease rapidly in light of power and public influence. Every major city in Europe has masjids and Islamic centers, where Muslims show the strong belief of God and contributes to social service for non-Muslims. This paper examines the past and presence of British Islam and Muslims, exploring their interactions with multiculturalism and secularism. British Christians have adopted the separation between religion and politics, the sacred and the profane, but British Muslims regard political systems as parts of religious systems. This unique approach of Islam challenges non-Muslims including Christians to rethink the problem of multiculturalsim and secularism. As Lesslie Newbigin and Lamin Sanneh point out, an alternative approach to Muslim-Christian relations is needed. Rather than emphasizing the common grounds between Islam and Christianity, the scholars of religions should pay more attention to the differences and uniqueness of two world religions. In spite of ongoing tensions and conflicts, some scholars argue that the responsibility of Islamphobia should be placed not on Muslims but on the sufferers from it. The distortion of Islam and Muslims through media matters, therefore more empathetic understanding and objective explanation of them are needed in the circles of academia and public discourses. In conclusion, on the basis of British cases, the author proposes the possible directions for mutual learning between Islam and Christianity, Muslims and Christians in Korea. In order to make more positive and constructive relations, Christians as majority should initiate praxis-oriented services to Muslims. Muslims as minority should raise their voices to public domains and cooperate with non-Muslims for social transformation and peace.