Four Motivations of Conversion to Islam: Japanese Muslims

Abstract

In this study, the phenomenon of conversion is analysed in the context of the experiences of Japanese Muslim converts. The purpose of this study is to understand the processes leading to conversion to Islam among Japanese and to explore religious conversion motifs of Japanese Muslim converts. A combination of phenomenology and grounded theory research methods were applied in order to understand the essence of the conversion experience of Japanese Muslims and also to develop a theoretical explanation for their conversion.It is discovered that Japanese conversion to Islam is a social process, led by their encounters with Muslims. Most of the time, their first memorable encounter with Islam took place in the social context. Upon their encounters, the Japanese, who were not seriously dissatisfied with their existing living conditions and beliefs previously, and who were not in search of a new way of life and a belief, began to be interested in Islam in different ways. They had a lack of strong prejudice against Islam, thus following their encounters, they had an open attitude learning towards the religion and the people. Four motivational factors discovered influential on Japanese conversion to Islam: social, intellectual, psychological and pragmatic.