Japan - Not Muslim Friendly!

Apparently, Islam in Japan is a new concept and pretty recent compared to most other countries in the world. Introduced in Japan around 1870. However, actual Muslim communities began to exist due to migration of refugees from Uzbekistan, Kazakhastan, Kirghistan, etc during the World War 1. So it was actually after this period that small Muslim population began existing in Japan. This was when the first mosques were built (like around late 1930s).

However, in building these mosques there wasnt much enthusiasm from the Japanese Muslims. In fact, none of the Japanese Muslims took up the role of imam in these mosques.

During World War 2, there were Islamic Centers set up which actually played an active role in publishing of several Islamic books. However, neither were these centers run by Muslim, nor was their purpose to propogate Islam. It was merely to learn about the Islamic population they would deal with during war conquers. (mostly for military people)

The World War ended, and these centers disappeared.

The next time Japan heard about Islam, was during a period when there was a lot of fuss about oil in the Middle East! All the picturizations and media coverage did some help, but that died down too.

Also, I just read that japanese used to have a veiw that Islam was a 'weird religion for the under-developed world'. And in an interview, a famous Japanese writer said the followers of Islam 'worship the sun'.

First Japanese Muslim Organization came into being only by 1950s.

A random (not so accurate) figure of the Muslim population in Japan, is about a thousand. However, taking into account 'only' the practicing Muslims would bring it down to a few hundred.

Nearly 80% of Japanese population is said to be Buddhist. Only around 0.8% Christians. However, some resources say that only 1 out of every 4 people actually believe in any religion at all. Which brings the atheist population to nearly 85%. This in itself makes dawa'ah hard.

Communication is also a major barrier for Islamic Dawa'ah in Japan. Japanese being not one of the common languages opted for in the rest of the world.

Another problem, is their lifestyle. The bowing as a part of showing respect, and the fact that they like to have collective events most of the time. It makes it hard to break ties with them, without angering them. (some of them get offended very easy).

Bringing up children in an environment where they are not in the least bit exposed to what a Muslim's life is like. Not being able to witness any Islamic way of living. Twists the kids from the very start!

Also, there is a lack of availability of dawa'ah material, or any material for that factor on basic Islamic teachings. Especially, those with japanese translations.

Is it a surprise that Dajjal is to rise from the far east? We haven't managed to touch that end of the world effectively!!