









































91

THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE  ON BHUDDHISM, ARTS & CULTURE 

Multi-Cultural Society through Religious Belief

Abhi Antony Thycaden

    Thycadu house kanjirappally, India

Email Address: abhiantonythycaden@gmail.com

Introduction
What is a multicultural Society? A question, which is asked very often, 

an answer for it is sometimes very hard to define.
Multicultural society is a society in which there is inclusion of many 

diverse people. It is a society in which freedom of religion, language, dress, food, 
religion, customs, can be expressed without the trepidation of persecution. Whilst 
expressing ones culture they are also learning the main dominant language of the 
country in addition to abiding by the rules and regulations of the country.

It is a society in which one can observe the different sub cultures, which 
are differentiated through language, religion, norms and values, pastimes, and 
culture.

A multicultural society would be composed of people from different 
ethnic backgrounds and cultures living and working together. In society when 
people from different backgrounds intertwine with each other’s culture shows the 
acceptance of each other’s culture and background.

It is a society that works well; the people have roles and responsibilities 
they must fulfil. They have the rights to education, healthcare, protection from 
crime and rights to be helped if in poverty.

Immigration/migration is the action of coming to live permanently in a 
foreign country. Migration is the movement of people to a new area or country in 
order to find work or better living conditions.

In Britain multiculturalism has been around for thousands of years.  
Diversity of different cultures mainly started coming from European countries. At 
the beginning the first people who came and brought their culture to Britain were 
the Celts and formed their first communities in the British Isles.



92

THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE  ON BHUDDHISM, ARTS & CULTURE 

We can see multicultural societies all around world. It’s because  
everyday people migrating from one country to another. All the people have 
their own culture, religion, language and beliefs also. But this world prove that  
multi-cultural people can live together in same society without any problem.

Most of the metropolitan cities in the world, we can see more than 
45% of people from outside. They came there for work or living or other purpose. 
Suddenly they can’t change their own style that they followed. But gradually they 
changing day by day to new style.

Why they need to change to new life style? That because if our culture 
sometimes make someone irritated or something. So we need to analyses our 
culture and make some small changes.

India: the Multicultural Furnace
India is a big democratic country. I like to call India as the country full 

of languages, cultures and beliefs. It’s because in India about 29 states, nearly 45 
writing languages and nearly 185 speaking languages including traditional and tribal 
languages and lots of cultures. Each state has its own language and culture. If we 
consider one society, we can see many people with different cultures and religious 
beliefs living together peacefully. Yes we can do it. First we must try to respect 
the cultures and beliefs of others. Respecting others cultures and beliefs is one of 
the greatest things in this world. People have good thoughts, good mind, and big 
heart only can do this. “in a multicultural diverse society there are countless ways 
in which people, negotiate the everyday lived experience and reality of diversity”. 
It’s the words of Randa Abdel Fattah about multicultural society.

In my knowledge Dharavi is the biggest slums in the world and it’s the 
best example of a multi-cultural society. Dharavi is 2.1 square kilometers area and 
population around 700,000. 60% of people are really from Dharavi and the remain-
ing are from different places in India. They came to Dharavi for work, business, or 
other purpose. If you want study about multi-cultural society, Dharavi is the suit-
able place for study and make research. All the people in Dharavi try to respect 
each other and understanding each cultures. Dharavi id filled with Hindu, Christian, 
Muslim, Sikh, etc. They living peacefully in Dharavi because of right understanding 



93

THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE  ON BHUDDHISM, ARTS & CULTURE 

and right view of life and cultures. Every people seeing others through the eyes of 
humanity, not through the eyes of religion or cultures. The most important festivals 
that celebrated in Dharavi are Ganesha Chadurthi and Ramadan. 

Ganesha Chadurthi is a festival giving respect to Lord Ganesha. They 
making big Ganesha statues and make parade around the city. 

At the same time Muslim’s one the main festival is Ramadan. They do 
fasting this time. The fasting start before sunrise and ends after sun set. On fasting 
time, they even don’t drink water also. At the time Dharavi have no open restaurants, 
the people don’t want to persuade the fasting people. It is the best example of 
multi- cultural society through religious beliefs. People try to understand and try 
to respect the others culture and religious beliefs.

Every big city in this world is the best example of multi- cultural society. 
That’s because in each city more than 30% of population from another places, came 
here for work, business or other purpose. Some of them try to change the culture. 
Some of them not. When I talk with some people they replied me multi- culture 
concept only in Asian countries. But im not agree with that. Its because in each 
and every day the migration happening around us. Many people moving from one 
country to another for better life or something. We can see many people around us 
from different countries, different language, different culture and different religious 
thoughts also. But they can sustain there.

Now the days many research and surveys said that Australia is considered 
as the biggest multi – cultural society in this world. Its because of migrants. The  
Australian government provide good facilities like good life style, infrastructure,  
insurance, medical services. So most of the people try to migrate to Australia. From 
my understanding we can see people from whole around the world in Australia. 
We can see many cultures and celebrations, their life and life styles, dressing style,  
varieties of food culture, varieties of religious beliefs also.

All the things have two sides, coin have two sides, a book have two 
sides. It doesn’t matter which side we like, its depend on their mind. Some people 
promoting multi-cultural society and some of them protecting. In America march 
2015, Dr. Marquita Byrd, Asst. prof, SJSU, she made research with her team about 
the problems of multi-culture society. She found some problems when a man 



94

THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE  ON BHUDDHISM, ARTS & CULTURE 

with new culture and life style coming to one new society he must face problems 
in the new society. It’s because of colliding of two cultures. Every reaction is very 
powerful when it starts and its power going down. 

Multiculturalism 
Multiculturalism can be defined as cultural diversity or the evolution of 

it, where people from different ethnicities coexist; it can also refer to an integrative 
policy adopted by a multicultural nation

The meaning of the term multiculturalism can have many interpretations. 
Definitions of this term differ according to the references made to:

1. demography of a country (population of various racial, religious,  
linguistic backgrounds)

2. the normative-ideological aspect (cultural rights of individuals)
3. the political policy-level programs adopted to address ethnic diversity.
Advantages of Multiculturalism 
1. Education
There have been changes in the syllabus of subjects, like history, to  

accommodate a more comprehensive and broader version of the past events. This 
can be seen as giving more exposure to children, wherein they learn about different 
perspectives on a given topic. Kids are educated about equality, and thus develop 
an attitude against racism.

2. Professional
Employees coming from various cultures can contribute with a wider 

range of perspectives on an assignment. A mix of cultural experiences helps in 
problem-solving, and can create a strong team. Having a diverse group of workers 
always enriches the office environment, improving the work culture.

Disadvantages of Multiculturalism 
1.  Education
Children from ethnic minorities or immigrant families would take time in 

getting accustomed to a new environment. This may get reflected in their academic 
performance, when compared with that of the local children.

2. Professional
Although largely it is a benefit, managing a multicultural workforce can be 

very demanding. Prejudices of employees may work against the people belonging 



95

THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE  ON BHUDDHISM, ARTS & CULTURE 

to a minority. Encouraging cooperation among all the coworkers, especially in 
 collaborating as a team, can be a task.

3. Fear of Influence
Living in a multicultural society, even a cosmopolitan city for that matter, 

may inculcate a fear among individuals or minority groups, that they would lose 
their original ethnic identities or lifestyle. Being influenced by other cultures or 
foreign belief systems, at times create a protectionist tendency among the citizens.

4. Risk of Social Conflict
The possibility of a social conflict occurs due to differences in religious 

beliefs and practices, ethnic rituals, or certain ways of life that may cause a rift 
between two or more groups. However, in those countries that have adopted 
multiculturalism as an integrative policy, it has been noticed that conflicts arose 
mainly during financial crisis and due to lack of social programs.

Examples of Multiculturalism
There are many nations that can be called multicultural societies. Listed 

below are a few of them, pertaining to their characteristics as a multicultural nation.
1. Canada: This country officially adopted multiculturalism in 1971. It is 

based on the principle of ius solis or (the right of citizenship by birth). Further, the 
Multiculturalism Act of 1988 gives all members of Canadian society the freedom 
to preserve and share cultural heritages, and encourages protection and enhance-
ment of their ancestral languages. It also asks all federal agencies to promote 
practices ensuring equal employment opportunities and advancement therein.

2. Australia: It sees itself as a country of immigrants. Multiculturalism, in this 
nation too is based on the right of citizenship by birth. Easy access to the natural-
ization process and citizenship for immigrants has been established long ago. The 
government believes multiculturalism to have strengthened the Australian society.

3. Sweden: Different from the above examples, Sweden operates by ius 
sanguinis or (right of blood), which extends the right of citizenship only if one or 
both parents are citizens of the country. However, the procedures of naturalization 
here are easier.

4. Other examples of multicultural societies include India, Britain, and the 
United States of America.



96

THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE  ON BHUDDHISM, ARTS & CULTURE 

Conclusion
In a multicultural society, people from different religious and ethnic 

backgrounds living alongside each other. Multiculturalism can bring a great deal of 
richness to a society, but a multicultural society is not always plain sailing. Howev-
er, the advantages of a multicultural society far outweigh its disadvantages.

On the positive side, a multi-cultural society can bring a wide variety of 
benefits to a nation in terms of economic, cultural, and social development. To 
begin with, the majority of immigrants from different cultural backgrounds are high 
achievers, including experts, scholars, engineers, business people and other well 
trained people. Their arrival means an inflow of expertise, experience, investments 
as well as a dynamic labour force, which are all key factors to the increase of com-
petitiveness, efficiency and productivity of a nation’s economy. 

The new arrivals know very well the importance of respecting the local 
traditions and customs. Therefore, they co-operate and collaborate well with the 
natives. They work very harmoniously side by side in offices, factories and schools. 
In addition, with a rich blend of peoples, cultures, lifestyles, people in multi-cultur-
al societies tend to be more open minded and tolerant of other people’s custom 
and religion. 

On the other hand, multi-cultural also have some problems. Sometimes, 
people from overseas try to maintain their unique ethnic cultures with their own 
distinctive characteristics. These differences many seem trivial, but they can cause 
some conflicts that make it difficult for immigrants to become assimilated into the 
main stream of the local social life. But multi-cultural society are usually based on 
equality and diversity, so these problems can eventually be dealt with successfully.

To sum up, it can be reiterated that the multi-cultural societies definitely 
have more plusses, because of which many countries like Australia and Canada are 
making great efforts to attract more immigrants from abroad.  

References
Multicultural Manners by Norine Dresser
Multicultural Cities by Mohammed Abdul Qadeer
How can we live in a Multicultural society? (https://youtu.be/tIOdYX57Tlk)
The Benefits of being Multicultural? (https://youtu.be/GVKkjatfSI8)


