Non-denominational Muslim

Non-denominational Muslims (Arabic: مسلمون بلا طائفة, romanized: Muslimūn bi-la ṭā’ifa) are Muslims who do not belong to, do not self-identify with, or cannot be readily classified under one of the identifiable Islamic schools and branches.[1][2][3][4] Such Muslims do not think of themselves as belonging to a denomination but rather as "just Muslims" or "non-denominational Muslims."[5] Muslims who do not adhere to a sect are also known as non-sectarian Muslims.[6]

While the majority of the population in the Middle East identify as either Sunni or Shi'a, a significant number of Muslims identify as non-denominational.[7] According to a 2012 study by the Pew Research Center, Muslims who do not identify with a sect and identify as "just Muslim" make up a majority of the Muslims in eight countries: Kazakhstan (74%), Albania (65%), Kyrgyzstan (64%), Kosovo (58%), Indonesia (56%), Mali (55%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (54%), Uzbekistan (54%), and a plurality in four countries: Azerbaijan (45%), Russia (45%), Nigeria (42%), and Cameroon (40%).[8] They are found primarily in Central Asia.[8] Kazakhstan has the largest proportion of Muslims who do not identify with a sect, who constitute about 74% of the Muslim population.[8] Southeastern Europe also has a large number of Muslims who do not identify with a sect.[8]

Sectarian controversies have a long and complex history in Islam and they have been exploited and amplified by rulers for political ends. However, the notion of Muslim unity has remained an important ideal and in modern times intellectuals have spoken against sectarian divisions. Surveys have reported that large proportions of Muslims in some parts of the world self-identify as "just Muslim" or "Muslim only", although there is little published analysis available regarding the motivations underlying this response.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]

  1. ^ Benakis, Theodoros (13 January 2014). "Islamophobia in Europe!". New Europe. Brussels. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Longton was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kirkham was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Pollack was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Thompson, Katrina Daly (11 April 2023). Muslims on the Margins: Creating Queer Religious Community in North America. NYU Press. ISBN 9781479814367.
  6. ^ Clarke, Peter (June 2002). The World's Religions: Islam. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-93195-8.
  7. ^ Seyfi, Siamak; Michael Hall, C. (28 September 2020). Cultural and Heritage Tourism in the Middle East and North Africa: Complexities, Management and Practices. Routledge. ISBN 9781000177169.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Chapter 1: Religious Affiliation". The World’s Muslims: Unity and Diversity. Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project. August 9, 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  9. ^ Burns, Robert (December 2011). Christianity, Islam, and the West. University Press of America. p. 55. ISBN 9780761855606. 40 per cent called themselves "just a Muslim" according to the Council of American-Islamic relations
  10. ^ Mustapha, Abdul (2014). Sects & Social Disorder. Boydell & Brewer. p. 5. ISBN 9781847011077. of Muslims identified themselves as Sunni, 12 per cent as Shi'a, 3 per cent as Ahmadiyya but 44 per cent as 'just Muslim' (Pew Forum, 2010)
  11. ^ Muttitt, Greg (2012). Fuel on the Fire: Oil and Politics in Occupied Iraq. Vintage. p. 79. ISBN 9781595588050. A January 2004 survey by the Iraq Centre for Research and Strategic Studies, for instance, asked people which description suited them best Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim or just Muslim'.
  12. ^ Boulting, Ned. On the Road Bike: The Search For a Nation's Cycling Soul. p. 155. What is your religion, asked a UN official. Muslim. Are you Shi'a or Sunni. Just Muslim
  13. ^ Tatari, Eren (2014). Muslims in British Local Government: Representing Minority Interests in Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets. BRILL. p. 111. ISBN 9789004272262. Nineteen said that they are Sunni Muslims, six said they are just Muslim without specifying a sect, two said they are Ahmadi and two said their families are Alevi
  14. ^ Lopez, Ralph (2008). Truth in the Age of Bushism. Lulu.com. p. 65. ISBN 9781434896155. Many Iraqis take offense at reporters' efforts to identify them as Sunni or Shiite. A 2004 Iraq Centre for Research and Strategic Studies poll found the largest category of Iraqis classified themselves as "just Muslim."