FOR THE LOVE OF ALLAH Almighty, I’m tired of hearing it! Especially since it mostly comes from non-Muslims and uneducated, ignorant muslims.

Just the other day I came across a video about Nigerian Muslims celebrating the “Ojude Oba” festival (celebrated by the Yoruba people 3 days after Eid al-Adha) in their traditional clothing and music, and in the comments were mostly non-Muslims confused as to why it didn’t seem “Arab” enough.

“O mankind! We created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.” (49:13)

“And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and colors. Surely in this are signs for those who know.” (30:22)

The Prophet (SAW) used to wear Yemeni cloaks, Roman armor, Egyptian shawls, Persian garments, etc.

When he saw the Ethiopians playing with drums and spears outside the mosque, he held the chin of Aisha (RA) and said “let the Jews know there is leniency in our religion.” (Musnad Ahmad 24854)

We need to push against this narrative that western media propagates which is that Islam is tied to Arab culture. It does so much unimaginable harm. Islam was not just for the Arabs, but for all of mankind. A lot of people in my country are also leaving Islam because they view it as an imperialistic, Arab supremacist religion. Racism against Arabs is increasing so much in my country because of this, it’s sad.

Alhamdulillah however, all around the Muslim world there is diversity. Cultures and traditions have been long preserved since Islam came across countries in Central Asia, west Africa, Southeast Asia, china, east Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, etc.

Let’s keep it like that, how it’s been for centuries.

P.S: When I mean “Arab culture” I mean Saudi Arabian and Emirati culture. I’m aware Yemeni, Omani, Kuwaiti cultures are all vastly different from one another and such.