Yoruba muslim youths and the problems of identity in the midst of diversity

Abstract

Identity is an ambiguous term with assumptions about its meaning and relevance to peoples' understanding of Muslim youths' response or behaviour to issues in the society. Therefore, this study seeks to examine the way of life that defines who, a Muslim youth is. Is he one whose practice of Islam separates him from others or one whose Islam accommodates innovations and diversities? Taking cognizance of the position of Muslim youth to the Yoruba culture and the interactional patterns that characterize everyday encounters among people; greetings by prostration, kneeling and bending as major ways by which Yoruba express respect for their elders, dressing for both male and female Muslims as outlook to life, have all become point of arguments and diversities among Muslim youths in Ibadan. On account of these, some youths deliberately reject the taslim (Islamic greeting) of their fellow Muslims, they also disrespect elders who do not share their opinions. These issues have led to disputes and malice which shamelessly resulted to enmity and disunity within the Muslim ummah. Consequently, this paper attempts to find solution to these problems of identity among Muslim youths.