Cultural Muslims
Cultural Muslims, also known as nominal Muslims,[1] non-practicing Muslims or non-observing Muslims,[2] are people who identify as Muslims but are not religious and do not practice the faith.[3] They may be a non-observing, secular or irreligious[4] individuals who still identify with Islam due to family backgrounds, personal experiences, ethnic and national heritage, or the social and cultural environment in which they grew up.[4][5][6][7][8] However, this concept is not always met with acceptance in conservative Islamic communities.[9]
This article is about non-practicing Muslims who still identify with Islam. For Muslims not affiliating with a specific school or branch, see Non-denominational Muslim.Cultural Muslims can be found across the world, but especially in the Balkans,[10] Central Asia,[11] Europe,[12][13] the Maghreb,[14] the Middle East,[15] Russia,[16] Turkey,[17] Singapore,[18] Malaysia,[19] Indonesia[20] and the United States.[12] In several countries and regions, self-reported Muslims practice the religion at low levels,[21] and for some, their "Muslim" identity is associated with cultural or ethnic or national heritage, rather than merely religious faith.[22]
Criticism[edit]
According to Kia Abdullah, cultural Muslims are at the receiving end of criticism not only from conservative Muslims but also from some progressives, saying that cultural Muslim cherry-pick the best of both worlds without enough proactive contribution and commitment to liberalism.[111]