Abstract
This paper uses the descriptive qualitative approach to answer questions about how a Sustainable Muslim Model (SMM) could work as a new approach to developing and sustaining communities. This study embraces the textual analysis method to examine the prevailing published research in the context of sustainability and community development. A number of scholars have approved this textual analysis method as a tool to study religious texts.
The purpose of this paper is to give an overview and discuss the status, issues and challenge of community development in tourism. As religious tourism is gaining more ground over time, the need to develop religious tourism sustainably and thus protect tourism communities, has become a priority. Developing and sustaining religious tourism almost always becomes a primary interest and priority for concerned communities. The religious virtues which form the cultural values of Muslim communities affect this crucial issue as they dovetail with the affective domain of sustainability awareness. This study explores the Qur’anic verses and Islamic teachings which urge Muslims to design and build communities in general and religious tourist sites in particular in a highly sustainable way.
The results of this study indicate that the SMM can be applicable to Muslim and non-Muslim communities in maintaining sustainability while developing tourism communities. The role of Islamic religious tourism in developing environmental, cultural and economic sustainability is highlighted in a variety of Islamic teachings. The study finds that the appropriateness of the aforementioned teachings are highly relevant to current sustainability issues.
This study presents for the first time the Sustainable Muslim Model (SMM) as new approach to deal with community development. The discussion presents a wealth of original research and source material, it illuminates and clarifies the concept of Khairyyah (goodliness / charitable), which, the literature argues, is central to an understanding of how sustainable tourism development can be implemented from an Islamic point of view.
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Recommended Citation
Elhadary, Tariq H. M.
(2021)
"The Impact of a Sustainable Muslim Model on Community Development with Special Reference to Religious Tourism,"
International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage:
Vol. 9:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
doi:https://doi.org/10.21427/w3hs-n108
Available at:
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijrtp/vol9/iss1/2
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21427/w3hs-n108
Included in
Islamic Studies Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Tourism and Travel Commons