I have been a Muslim now for 16 years and Alhamdulillah it was the best thing i ever did, my family are christians apart from my Grandma and Auntie and cousions that now Alhamdulillah have also embraced Islam. 

 

After all these years i still come across Muslims that i meet, that mix Islam alongside culture....I fail to see the importance of culture when many cultural actions contradict Islam and carry no weight or importance at all. We should all follow Islam and Islam only, and following the practices of our beloved Prophet (pbuh), and gain reward for our good deeds inshallah.

Welcome to IC Forum, hope you enjoy your stay.

 

Yes we should avoid adopting culture that against the Islamic teaching. However we should adopt culture wherever we leave that not against Islamic teaching, otherwise you will be exclusive. My understanding Islam is inclusive.

 

You also can islamize local traditions that not in-line with Islamic teaching. For example I read an article on how Islam spread in Indonesia. The ulama on that time used the local cultures and traditions to spread Islam, for example the Javanese liked to watch a puppet show that using Mahabharata story (that originated form India/Hindu story). They modified the story by changing the Hindu value with Islamic value, they still use the same characters and same equipment. Also on the wedding party celebration, they used to be drinking, gambling and dancing for days after a wedding ceremony, they kept the gathering but they changed it with reading Quran and series of Islamic lectures. They also modify many traditional song with Islamic lyrics.