Figure 1.--Here we see a Muslim family in Assam, northeastern India. We are not sure just where they are leaving, but like most Muslim women in Assam, she does not wear any special clothing.

The question arises as to how well integrated India's Muslims are in the national society. There is considerabke debate on this issue in India. We see notable and apparently wide-spread levels of integration among Indian Muslims. Many Muslim women dress just as their Hindu copatriots. We also see very conservative Muslim attire, but the more open majority Hindu styles seem more common (figure 1). This is not a matter of Western dress. Hindu society is also consrrvative and Hindu women dress modestly, only not in the all emcocmpssing ribes and head covers that have developed in the Middle East. There are other indicators. Many Muslims participate or are acepting of Hindu festivals. The apparently Muslim mother here is a good example. This is a level of integeation and tolerance that has developed over time. Other matters like education and literacy are a diffeent matter. Muslisms score below Hindus kn such areas, often below even lower-caste Hindus. Much, but not all of the reason, is the reluctance of Muslim fathers to educate their daughters. It is difficult to measure these social patterns. Hopefully Indian readers will be able to tell us more.

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Created: 2:44 AM 8/25/2012
Last updated: 2:44 AM 8/25/2012