Abstract
The present chapter draws on the Social Indicators and quality of life approaches in analysing the general situation of the Islamic populations. These latter are represented here in the 57 country members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). Since the issue of quality of life has an important cultural component, we attempt in the fist part of the Chapter to summarise the essence of the Islamic view on life and its quality. The second part examines the quality of life of the selected populations relying on a number of well established objective and subjective indicators. These include: Population growth, economic growth and poverty, Education and knowledge, health provisions, political life and freedoms, and subjective measures. The last part strengthens the analysis through the specific case of the country of Algeria. It has been shown that despite their diversity in terms of geography, economy and political backgrounds, Muslim countries generally share the same cultural heritage and are faced to a great extent with similar life and human development challenges. Building policies allowing for more freedom and democracy, and the strengthening of in-between countries cooperation would help alleviate a lot of suffering among these populations.
Source: Handbook of Social Indicators and Quality of Life Research
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