Electronic PDF security powered by Committee of Scientific Research, Stowarzyszenie Idokan Polska ®, Poland 143 This copy is for personal use only - distribution prohibited - This copy is for personal use only - distribution prohibited Dr Anna Dłużewska, PhD on geography – Warsaw University (book about social roles in Tunisia) – 1998; MA on sciences of culture – University of Silesia – 1993. Researches made in: Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Dubai, Kenya, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Uzbekistan etc. ANNA DŁUŻEWSKA Tourism Department SWPR Warsaw (Poland) e-mail: a.dluzewska@chello.pl The impact of islamization on the interaction between locals and tourists in Kenya / Wpływ islamizacji na interakcje między miejscowymi a turystami w Kenii Submission: 10.11.2006, acceptance: 15.01.2007 Key words: function and disfunction of tourism, Kenya, social impact of tourism The article is a contribution to the problem of the impact of tourism in developing countries. It is also an attempt to distinguish the disfunctions which are indeed caused by tourists from the prejudice which are an effect of the war in Iraq, the colonial times or mass media activity. In order to amend this contribution with qualitative data the author conducted field studies performed in Kenya in July/ August 2004. The author has chosen three research area: Mombassa, Watamu and Lamu Island inhabited mostly by the Musilim population. The research was focused on the dialog of the culture of the Natives and Tourists, same as on the cultural shock related with the different type of religion. The conception of tourism feats into the conception of tourism as the contact of cultures [Przecławski 1997]. INTRODUCTION The influence of tourism on changes in local communities is nowadays seen not only as profit but also as a cultural problem. Economical benefits and increase in education are presented as functions while disfunctions are environmental degeneration or threats to the culture [Dłużewska 2005]. On the other hand tourism does not only causes cultural problems but offers cultural benefits as well such as cultural awareness, renewal of traditions and others [Smith, Brent 2001]. It is not a mystery any more that susceptibility to tourism disfunctions varies between different cultures. It depends on the level of social development, education, distribution of income from the tourism industry and many other factors. Religion plays here a major role [Vukonić 1996]. For example, in Buddhist countries which accept differentiation in spiritual development and human imperfection (sources of which are in lack of enlightenment) the susceptibility to the tourism disfunctions is lower comparing with Muslim, Judaist or Christian countries. Similar situation is in Hinduist India which is used to the castes system strengthening material inequality where the susceptibility to the tourism disfunctions (shock caused by the demonstrations effect of the wealth of tourists) is lower than in e.g. black Africa [Jackowski 2003]. Among all religions Islam seems to be the most susceptible to the disfunctions of religion and cultural background (also because Islam has a very high influence on family and social life). Behaviour which is inconsistent with this religion – therefore offending Allah – is far away from the walls of mosques [Dalacoura 2003]. Proper behaviour norms are reflected in a proper dress, behaviour of both genders, etc. Only Islamic and Christian religions are “missionary” and their members are supposed to convert the unfaithful ones 1 with arguments or with force. In case of Muslims Djihad is the one of religion pillars and an obligation of every believer. The Djihad warriors expect highest delight in the afterlife and this is an additional argument for many young men who believe in daar al. 1 Public actions encouraging conversion to Buddhism were invented in the western culture. There are no such actions in countries where Buddhism is a national religion. Those of a different denomination are welcome to the Buddhism monasteries and nobody wants to “force” them to convert. Similar situation is in Hinduism. Centr es of Hinduism meditation known in Europe have more in common with sects than with the real religion. Judaism is hermetic and not interested in converting anyone.