URBAN ISLAM AND COSMOPOLITAN ETHICS: MIGRATION, DIVERSITY, AND RELIGIOUS NEGOTIATION
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and global migration patterns have transformed metropolitan centers into primary sites for the evolution of contemporary Islamic practice. This research addresses the socio-ethical challenges faced by Muslim migrants as they navigate the complexities of religious identity within diverse and pluralistic urban environments. The study aims to evaluate how cosmopolitan ethics are formulated and negotiated through daily inter-communal interactions and civic participation. Utilizing a multi-site ethnographic design, the methodology involved in-depth interviews and participant observation across four diverse metropolitan districts, focusing on the lived experiences of forty-five first and second-generation migrants. Results demonstrate a significant shift toward “ethical pragmatism,” where believers utilize “theological translation” to align Islamic values with universal civic goals. Findings indicate that high-density, mixed-use urban spaces function as pedagogical catalysts, fostering a version of “Urban Islam” characterized by high inclusivity and social resilience. The research concludes that religious institutions acting as “third spaces” are vital anchors for metropolitan cohesion, providing a buffer against social polarization. These results offer a robust framework for “Negotiated Cosmopolitanism,” asserting that urban diversity serves as a transformative force for religious renewal rather than a threat to traditional identity, provided that inclusive urban policies support these everyday negotiations.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rahmat Ramdhani, Baran Akbulut, Emily Brown
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