Social Cohesion and the Five Pillars of Islam

Abstract

A great deal of animosity exists between the western world (andits perceptions of Islam) and the Muslim world (and its perceptionsof the West). In an attempt to break down stereotypical perceptionsamong non-Muslim university students, instruction in aclass on “Understanding Islam” includes numerous aspects of thelogical wisdom of Islam. One such illustration concerns the roleof the Five Pillars in supporting and maintaining social cohesionamong monotheists. A model of social cohesion and the FivePillars is presented for discussion and reflection ...