An exploration of the social identity of Muslim background believers in a Muslim majority community in Bangladesh

The main purpose of this research is to explore the social identity of Muslim
Background Believers (MBBs) in Bangladesh. Three research questions address the
following subjects: (1) Bangladeshi MBBs’ formation of new social identities after belief in
‘Isa; (2) MBBs’ social integration with Muslims and participation in their religious activities;
(3) MBBs’ perception of four important issues (Allah, ‘Isa, Muhammad, and the Qur’an). To
answer these questions, qualitative research methodology—interviews in particular—was
employed. Forty-eight local MBB respondents from diverse believers’ communities
(Jama’ats) and ten experienced foreign respondents were interviewed and were observed for
one year. This research draws several suggestions and implications from its diverse
findings. It recommends the following: (1) Accept the reality which divides MBBs among
three social identity groups and focus on Christ-centeredness, not Christianity-centeredness;
(2) encourage the Isai Muslim/Muslim group to focus more on the Bible than the Qur’an to
eliminate syncretistic factors while respecting their initiative and decision; (3) pursue true
partnership beyond money and hierarchy between foreign missionaries and local believers to
empower MBBs to form a harmonious, healthy community; (4) study the whole three-layer
identity of MBBs, and study Bangladeshi Muslims and Islam comprehensively.