ISLAMIC COSMOPOLITANISM AND MUSLIM MINORITIES IN NON-MUSLIM SOCIETIES: RECONCEPTUALIZING BELONGING

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between Islamic cosmopolitanism and belonging among Muslim minorities living in non-Muslim societies. As globalization, migration, and religious diversity continue to reshape contemporary societies, questions of belonging have become increasingly significant for Muslim minorities seeking to maintain religious identity while participating in broader social and civic life. Although existing scholarship has extensively explored belonging through citizenship, multiculturalism, and identity politics, limited attention has been given to the explanatory potential of Islamic cosmopolitanism in understanding Muslim minority experiences. Employing a conceptual approach and library research methodology, this study analyzes and synthesizes scholarly literature on Islamic cosmopolitanism, belonging, and social inclusion. The findings indicate that Islamic cosmopolitanism provides a normative and analytical framework that moves beyond majority–minority binaries by emphasizing ethical coexistence, mutual recognition, cultural openness, and civic engagement. Within this framework, belonging is not merely legal status or cultural assimilation but a dynamic process of negotiation involving religious identity and social participation. The study concludes that Islamic cosmopolitanism offers a significant theoretical foundation for reconceptualizing belonging by integrating Islamic ethical principles with cosmopolitan values, thereby contributing to discussions on pluralism, social cohesion, and inclusive citizenship in diverse societies.