Population
The density of population in the Muslim world differs from place to place. This is because the physical
Features and the climatic conditions also differ. At some places there are mountains while at other places there are fertile lands. Some countries are thickly populated while in other the population is thin. In certain countries there are big cities and towns while in other no permanent settlements are seen and people lead nomadic life. People avoid living in forests and deserts. People like to live in those place where the climate is good. Fertile land, fresh water, natural resources and the civic amenities attract the people to settle there Mountainous regions, deserts, and extreme climate produce adverse effects on the distribution of population. In such regions the requirements of life are not easily available or not available throughout the year.
Urban and Rural Population
The population is generally divided in two types. Where the climate is good, where there is a river, where the means of transport and communication are easily available, where the industry and trade is developing steadily, there the population is always thick. Such areas are called the urban areas, the population in those area is called the urban population. On the contrary, the rural areas are those areas where farming, cattle rearing and fishing is possible. The majority of the people of the Muslim world are farmers and they live in villages. However there are big cities, ports and the industrial centres in the Muslim world but this does not change the pattern of rural and urban population in the Muslim world.
Thickly Populated Muslim Countries
Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and parts of Egypt are thickly populated areas of the Muslim world. These areas as situated in famous river valleys, Egypt, Pakistan and Iraq are famous for their ancient civilization and culture.
Thinly Populated Muslim Countries
Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Libya and Algeria are big countries in respect of their areas but thinly populated. Most of the areas of these countries are deserts where there are no rivers and no rainfall Agriculture farming is not possible in those areas.
Thickly Populated Countries of South Asia
Bangladesh and Pakistan are the most thickly populated Muslim countries of South Asia. Bangladesh is the second largest Muslim country of the world according to its population. The valleys of the Ganges and Brahamputra are very fertile in the in this region.
Pakistan comes next to Bangladesh according to its population. The valleys of river Indus and its tributaries in Punjab are thickly populated. The southern part of Sindh including Karachi and parts of N.W.F.P. are also thickly populated. The desert areas of Sindh are thinly populated. Baluchistan is a mountainous province so it is thinly populated.
Thickly Populated Countries of South-East Asia
Indonesia and Malaysia may also be regarded as thickly populated Muslim countries. Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country according to its population. Malaysia is an agricultural country parts of it are very thickly population. Malaysia is an agricultural country and parts of it are very thickly populated.
Countries of South-West Asia
These Countries are situated in a different Climatic region. There are river valleys, coastal plains, mountainous regions as well as deserts. The population in this region is not evenly distributed. The countries of this region are Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan. Parts of these countries are thickly populated. You have already read about the areas and total populations of most of these countries earlier.
Muslim Countries of Africa
In Africa, the population of the countries of he Mediterranean coast is higher than other areas. The countries of Africa are Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya. The details of the population of these countries have been mentioned elsewhere in this book.
Occupation of the people in the Muslim World
Agriculture
Agriculture is the main occupation of the people in the Muslim World. It is one of the oldest occupations of the people. Agriculture flourishes in the areas where the land is fertile and water is available in sufficient quantities. Water is obtained either through rainfall and water is available in sufficient quantities. Water is obtained either through rainfall or through the river canals. The farmers produce food not only for themselves but for others who purchase it. In the present age big agricultural machines are manufactured for boosting agriculture. Chemical fertilizers are easily available. There are farmers in almost all the countries of the Muslim world. In some of the countries, the majority of the population is engaged in this profession. Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey are the chief agricultural countries.
Agriculture is being developed in Pakistan for its growing population The valley of river Indus in Sindh is very fertile. Punjab has the world’s largest canal system. Big dams including Tarbela Dam are there to help boost agriculture. Pakistan has become self sufficient in agricultural products. Most of the people in Bangladesh are farmers. They cultivate jute, rice and tea in sufficient quantities. Agriculture is also the major occupation of the people in Turkey. The people of Iran and Iraq are also engaged in farming. The valley of river Nile Egypt is very fertile and most of the people there are farmers. Agricultural machines and chemical fertilizers are commonly used. Most of the people in Indonesia are also engaged in agriculture. Agriculture farming is not possible in mountainous countries or the countries where there are vast deserts.
Cattle Farming
Cattle rearing and farming is a popular occupation in such Muslim countries where grasslands and fodder for cattle is available. Animals are reared in most of the Muslim countries. Animals provide milk, ghee, flesh, butter and hides. Goats and sheep, goats, cows and buffaloes are also reared in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Libya, Algeria and Morocco. Camels reared in desert countries provide transportation facility. They also provide raw material for blankets and cloth. Cattle rearing is a common occupation in most of the countries of Middle East.
Fishing
Fishing is an important occupation is such countries where there are rivers, lakes and ponds in the countries situated on the sea coast. Fishing nets are used to catch fish in fresh water. Big motor boats and launches are used in the seas to catch fish and prawns. Prawns. Prawns are exported to other countries. In this modern age fishing has become an industry. Lacs of workers are engaged in this industry. It is a major profitable industry in Pakistan, Indonesia, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, morocco and the Middle East. The countries around the Mediterranean Sea export their surplus fish to other countries where they are in great demand. In these countries machines are used to catch fish after which they are great demand. In these countries machines are used to catch fish which they are cleaned and frozen in airtight tins for export to other countries.
Mining
Mining is an attractive profession and occupation in the countries which are rich in mineral wealth. Coal, iron, Copper, lead and other minerals are found in deep mines. Mine workers usually get higher wages as they risk their health and even their life. Different protective methods are adopted to safeguard the life of miners. Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Turkey are rich in mineral wealth. The African Muslim countries like Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Nigeria and Libya are also rich in mineral wealth. Malaysia and Indonesia have valuable minerals and tin.
Mining has acquired the status of an industry. Huge machines are around to extract coal, iron copper etc. Big settlements of mines are seen around these mines.
Industrial Labour
People who work in mills, factories and workshops are called the industrial labour. Although most of the countries of the Muslim world are underdeveloped. Factories and mills are being established everywhere. Countries like Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Iraq etc. have made great progress in the field of industry. Indonesia and Malaysia have tin and rubber factories. Pakistan has many well developed industries. Its mills and factories manufacture textiles, cement, sugar, surgical instruments and sports goods. There are big industrial centres in the country. Oil refineries and petro chemical complexes are working in Iran, Pakistan and the Arab countries. Textile products, electries goods, cement and sugar factories are also in Iran and Turkey. The Muslim countries of Africa have also established industries. Millions of people in the Muslim world are working as industrial labouresrs.
Office Workers
A large number of People in the Muslim World are office workers. They work in government offices and private companies. In every Muslim country a large number office workers. Many people are engaged is self employment. They have their own shops and trading companies, Many people are lawyers, doctors, teachers and technicians.
Handicrafts
Apart from big factories and mills there are many small manufacturing units which manufacture small items. These small factories are called the cottage industries where most of work is done by hands. Some of the main items of the handicraft industries are carpets, zari work, wood work, leather work and brass work etc. Earthenware are also made in many countries. The carpets made in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan are very popular in the world. Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt, Indonesia and Bangladesh have highly skilled workers in the field of Zari work, brass work and leather work.
Ways of Life in the Muslim World
The Muslim world is spread over from south-east Asia to the Atlantic Ocean. There were 47 countries in the Muslim world with different physical features and climate upto the end of 1992. In 1993 more than half a dozen Central Asian Muslim countries have become independent which have Siberian climate. These factors effect the ways of life the people. The people in the Muslim world have differences in their ways of life. Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Pakistan are the centres were of ancient civilizations and cultures. The people of these countries were more civilized from the rest of the world from the very beginning. Their ways of life during those days were similar to those people who live in the rural areas today. Still changes have occurred in the ways of life of the people. One of the reasons is the facility of transportation and the trade relations between the people. People of different countries meet each other and influence their ways of living.
The people in those countries which adopted Islam, changed their ways of life according to the principles of Islam. Islam is not only a religion, it is a code of life which guides in every walk of life. The teachings of Islam cover all the aspects of life. There is very little difference among the Muslims in respect of their living, their prayers, marriages, festivals and burial of the death. All the Muslims follow similar practices and customs. Still the physical features, climate and agricultural products have created differences in their ways of life, their food items and their clothing.
Indonesia and Malaysia are surrounded by the sea and they have tropical climate so their ways of life are different from the life style of the people of Afghanistan, Iran or Saudi Arabia. People living in coastal areas eat more fish but the people of those areas take more meat where the land is green and cattle rearing is very common. The effects of climate force the people to use a particular dress. People living in hot regions usually wear light and loose dress. People living in cold regions use thick woolen clothes. The people of Arabia cover their heads with a particular type of handkerchief and wear a loose kurta over Teh-band or only garment from neck to ankles called Tup like dangries of mechanical workshops. In Pakistan people wear light cotton dresses in summer and thick woolen dresses in winter. But shalwar and kamiz are popluar all over the country which is worn all the year round.
The people in Iran, Iraq, Egypt and Labanon are greatly influenced by western culture. This is because they have remained under western rule for quite sometime. Most of them wear western dress and speak French and English. Turkey adopted western culture after the first world war. They use English alphabets to writer their own language. The people of Saudi Arabia did not allow western influence on their ways of life. Their dress and life style are the same as they were centuries before. They lead a simple life according to the principles of Islam. The Quranic laws are enforced and alcoholic drinks are forbidden. Women observe strict Pardah and cover their faces with veils.
Many Muslim countries of Africa were occupied by the European nations. But they could not change their language or the way of life. They still live in Islamic style. All the Muslims wear type of dress called Ahram while performing Haji which shows their belief in unity, equality and humbleness. Ahram was the dress worn by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), Hazrat Ishaq (AS), Hazrat Ismail (AS) and their descendants.
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