In spite of Islam: Can Muslims ever join the democratic mainstream?, Islam and Politics, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and Politics

In spite of Islam: Can Muslims ever join the democratic mainstream?

Moataz-Bellah Abdel-Fattah

As a firm believer in the benefits of democracy, Moataz-Bellah Abdel-Fattah attempts to find answers to the tough question of whether the attitude of ordinary, educated Muslims constitutes a barrier to the adoption of democracy. Abdel-Fattah is the author of eight books and several academic and journalistic articles in Arabic and English, but what is interesting about Democratic Values in the Muslim World -- and was probably the reason why the study was chosen as one of the most outstanding books in 2006 by Choice Academic Review -- is the fact that Abdel-Fattah allowed Muslims to speak for themselves rather than draw conclusions about them by equating all Muslims to "a group of extremists and anti-modernity radicals" who, according to Abdel-Fattah, "have been very vocal in their criticism of democracy".

"I used several empirical tools, such as survey and focus-group discussions, to colour a picture that has been brush-stroked in black and white in the West thanks to the Western neo-orientalist scholarship that does not distinguish between different Muslim sub-cultures and societies," Abdel-Fattah said. "Colouring the picture of Muslims' perception of democracy is analogous to breaking down the big stereotypical picture into its original components."

The book concludes that Muslims are so diverse that they defy any one-size-fits-all characterisation regarding their attitudes towards democracy. Some Muslim societies are in a struggle between the sub-culture of "democracy-as-a-must" versus the sub- culture of "dictator... but" that justified autocracy (example: Pakistan and Algeria). Other Muslim societies (Turkey, Mali, and Malaysia) have already settled this debate by respecting democratic values and institutions. Other cultures, (Saudi Arabia and the UAE) still perceive democracy as an alien concept or a solution to a problem they do not have.

http://newageislam.com/in-spite-of-islam--can-muslims-ever-join-the-democratic-mainstream?/islam-and-politics/d/1821

Pakistani Nation In anxiety – Is It A Start Of An End, Current affairs, NewAgeIslam.com

Current affairs

Pakistani Nation In anxiety – Is It A Start Of An End

By Syed Atiq ul Hassan

15 August, 2008

The entire nation and institutions including secret services have been either hijacked or paralyzed with the help of western powers. Who could imagine, not long ago, that a man once had the reputation of being a top ranking fraudulent, spent years in jail on corruption and murder charges would run almost every institute of Pakistan. Who could image that the country’s decisions would be taking by thugs sitting in Dubai, London and Washington. Who could imagine that a 19 years old boy (Bilawal Zardari) who hardly knows anything about Pakistan and its history would represent Pakistan, enjoying on State’s expenses and meeting world’s top leaders in an international event (Olympic) in China. Who could imagine that the head of the state (President of Pakistan), a man who opened the doors for democracy, allowed so-called political pundits to participate in general election, held free & fair elections and made no fuss for their opponents to form their government would be asked to leave his job or face impeachment.

http://newageislam.com/pakistani-nation-in-anxiety-%E2%80%93-is-it-a-start-of-an-end/current-affairs/d/561

Calling for a New Dialogue between Islam and Christianity, Islam and Pluralism, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and Pluralism

Calling for a New Dialogue between Islam and Christianity

By Rashid Shaz

His Royal Highness, Excellencies and Holinesses, Ladies and Gentlemen!

This sense of religious pluralism that pervaded early Islam helped flourish a full-fledged religious life of other believing nations under Islam. History records the prophet’s treaty with the Christians of Najran which guaranteed the protection of their religious life and preservation of their religious institutions. And when Muaz was sent to Yemen as a governor, the prophet instructed him not to disrupt the religious life of the Jews. In early Islam, socializing with the people of the book was a norm as the Quran openly declared their food lawful for Muslims and Muslim food lawful for them. Muslims were even allowed to enter into marital relations with the Jewish and Christian girls. The Christians under early Islam were, so to speak, a loving and affectionate nation enjoying the general goodwill of the Muslim people, as documented in the Quran:

وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُمْ مَّوَدَّةً لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ الَّذِينَ قَالُوَاْ إِنَّا نَصَارَى

and you will find the nearest in love to the believers those who say: "We are Christians."

http://newageislam.com/calling-for-a-new-dialogue-between-islam-and-christianity/islam-and-pluralism/d/351