TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Ethical Debate: Gambling and Religious Perspectives in Zanzibar
TT  - Etik Tartışma: Zanzibar’da Kumar Ve Dini  Perspektifler
AU  - Abdalla, Moh'd
PY  - 2025
DA  - September
Y2  - 2025
DO  - 10.55205/jocsosa.3220241595630
JF  - Cihannüma Sosyal Bilimler Akademi Dergisi
JO  - JOCSOSA
PB  - Cihannüma Dayanışma ve İşbirliği Derneği
WT  - DergiPark
SN  - 2822-2350
SP  - 39
EP  - 62
VL  - 3
IS  - 2
LA  - en
AB  - Gambling in Zanzibar represents a critical intersection of religious ethics and modern influences, making it a vital area of study for understanding how traditional societies navigate globalization. As the archipelago becomes increasingly exposed to global trends through tourism and digital media, its strong Islamic values face new challenges, particularly among youth who often view gambling as harmless entertainment rather than a moral transgression. This study is crucial as it examines the cultural and religious implications of gambling, offering insights into how Islamic teachings can guide ethical decision-making in a rapidly changing society. From an Islamic perspective, gambling is strictly prohibited (haram) as it violates principles of fair wealth acquisition and promotes chance over merit. In Zanzibar, where Islam deeply influences societal norms, religious teachings consistently emphasize gambling's harm to personal integrity and financial stability. This study explores these ethical foundations through textual analysis of Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) and community surveys, revealing how religious values shape public attitudes toward gambling. The findings demonstrate the tension between preserving Islamic ethics and accommodating modern economic realities, particularly in a region where tourism driven gambling presents both opportunities and moral dilemmas.  Ultimately, this article provides valuable insights for policymakers, religious leaders, and educators seeking to address gambling's societal impacts while upholding Islamic values. By combining ethical analysis with empirical data, the study offers a framework for developing regulations that respect religious principles while acknowledging contemporary challenges. As Zanzibar balances its Islamic identity with global influences, this work underscores the importance of grounding societal development in moral and ethical considerations, ensuring progress that aligns with the community's deepest values. The study's mixed-method approach integrating interviews, doctrinal analysis, and surveys ensures a comprehensive understanding of gambling's complex role in Zanzibar's evolving social landscape.
KW  - Gambling
KW  - Islamic Ethics
KW  - Zanzibar
KW  - Globalization
KW  - Social Impact
KW  - Religious Perspectives
N2  - Zanzibar’da kumar sorunu, gelenek ve modernlik arasındaki daha geniş bir toplumsal gerilimi yansıtmaktadır. Küreselleşme, bölgeye yeni kültürel etkiler ve uygulamalar getirirken, uzun süredir devam eden İslami değerler giderek artan zorluklarla karşı karşıya kalmaktadır. Bu dinamik özellikle dijital medya ve turizm aracılığıyla küresel trendlere maruz kalan genç nesiller arasında belirgin hale gelmektedir. Birçok genç için kumar, kültürel ve dini değerlerden kopuk, cazip bir yenilik ya da eğlence biçimi olarak görülmektedir. Bu nesil değişimi, küreselleşen bir dünyada geleneksel değerlerin korunması mücadelesini vurgulamaktadır.  Zanzibar’da kumara yönelik etik itirazlar, kumarın istismarcı doğasına ve bireyler ile aileler üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerine dayanmaktadır. Kumar, savunmasız toplulukları hedef alması, bağımlılığı teşvik etmesi ve mali istikrarsızlığı sürdürmesi nedeniyle yaygın bir şekilde eleştirilmektedir. Aileler, kumar bağımlılığı olan bir bireyin davranışları nedeniyle bozulan ilieconomic ekonomik zorluklar gibi sonuçların yükünü taşımaktadır. Katılımcılara verdiği doğrudan zararın ötesinde, kumar toplumsal uyumu bozmakta ve toplum içinde güven ve karşılıklı desteği zayıflatmaktadır.  İslami etik perspektife göre, kumar kesin bir şekilde yasaklanmıştır, çünkü İslam’ın büyük değer verdiği dürüst çalışma ve üretken çabalarla servet kazanma ilkelerini zayıflatmaktadır. Şansa consideredğı için ahlaken kabul edilemez olarak görülmektedir ve adil olmayan sonuçlar yaratmaktadır. Bu yasaklama, İslam’ın adalet, hesap verebilirlik ve kayn,akların adil dağılımına ilişkin daha geniş öğretileriyle uyumludur. İslam’ın egemen olduğu Zanzibar’da dini ve kültürel gelenekler, toplumsal normları ve kumar konusundaki görüşleri güçlü bir şekilde etkilemekte; kumar, toplumsal uyuma, kişisel bütünlüğe ve ,mali istikrara zarar veren bir uygulama olarak değerlendirilmektedir.  Bu makale, bu İslami etik ilkelerin Zanzibar’da kumara yönelik kamoyu tutumlarını nasıl şekillendirdiğini inceleyerek, inanç, gelen,ek ve modern zorlukla and onrasındaki karmaşık ilişkiyi vurgulamaktadır.Abstract;The issue of gambling in Zanzibar epitomizes a broader societal tension between tradition and modernity. As globalization brings new cultural influences and practices into the region, long-standing Islamic values face mounting challenges. This dynamic is particularly evident among younger generations, who are increasingly exposed to global trends through digital media and tourism. For many youths, gambling appears as an enticing novelty or a form of entertainment, often disconnected from the moral and ethical frameworks of their cultural and religious upbringing. This generational shift underscores the struggle to preserve traditional values amidst the evolving influences of a globalized world.Ethical objections to gambling in Zanzibar are deeply rooted in its exploitative nature and its adverse impact on individuals and families. Gambling is widely criticized for preying on vulnerable populations, fostering addiction, and perpetuating financial instability. Families often bear the brunt of these consequences, facing strained relationships and economic hardships due to the behaviour of a gambling member. Beyond the immediate harm to participants, gambling also disrupts social cohesion, undermining trust and mutual support within communities.From an Islamic ethical perspective, gambling is strictly prohibited as it undermines the principles of earning wealth through honest labour and productive efforts, which Islam highly values. It is seen as morally unacceptable because it relies on chance rather than merit and creates unfair outcomes. This prohibition aligns with broader Islamic teachings on fairness, accountability, and the equitable distribution of resources. In Zanzibar, where Islam predominates, religious and cultural traditions strongly influence societal norms and views on gambling, which is regarded as harmful to social cohesion, personal integrity, and financial stability. This article examines how these Islamic ethical principles shape public attitudes toward gambling in Zanzibar, highlighting the complex relationship between faith, tradition, and modern challenges.
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.55205/jocsosa.3220241595630
L1  - https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4413658
ER  -