Communication and tolerance are key to the world's stability and people's happiness.

Islam is NOT the problem

Outrageous as the arguments about Islam and democracy may be, no Muslim can argue against the fact that Islam is democracy. The Qur’an and the teachings of prophet Mohamed (PBUH) are two principles by which every Muslim defines his identity. The symbol of authenticity for Muslims is neither their names nor their ethnic history, but the Islamic faith. It is something that sets us apart like many others and gives us a sense of security, hope and belonging. Muslim people for years have been trying to establish for themselves descent lives, proper educational systems, equal rights, justice for the innocent, and social dignity for the deprived. Unfortunately, for many Muslims, their hope was and still is overshadowed by their own systems of leadership. Anybody outside the Islamic circle who claims that Islam is the source for the state of affairs in Muslim countries is unfortunately misinformed, judging without knowing the facts, or simply doesn’t comprehend Islam or Muslims. For Muslims, fourteen hundred years ago when men were oppressed and morally abused, when women were forced into inhuman and degrading situations, Islam came to change that and liberate people from tyranny and ignorance. The dramatization of events about Islam and biased attacks on the majority of peaceful Muslims around the world has not only forged a wide gap in the relations between Muslims and the West, it has created tensions within Muslim nations as well. Iraq is a prime example with the problem between Shi’as and Sunnis. Another example lies in the conflicts in Africa between Muslim groups and their governments. Islam is not the enemy in these clashes, public corruption and the ethical dilemmas found in the world at large and within Muslim nations in particular are plaguing Islam with negative views. The astonishingly incorrect interpretations of how Islam is the source of hatred and how its teachings are threatening the human race, especially the West, paint a vague and blurry picture of the truth about Islam. Muslims around the world have an obligation to intellectually challenge these baseless interpretations from every angle, two of which are very important in claiming back the true meaning of Islam. First, Muslims must refute any wrong teachings of Islam which bare extreme views and opinions based only on personal interests and self-taught beliefs, and second, Muslim scholars must rise and face through dialogue and facts those who portray Islam as the source of anger. It’s neither in the best interest of Islam, nor Muslim nations for those with true knowledge about Islam to keep quiet with regards to what Allah has allow them to learn and which they are required to spread to others whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims. Allah will hold accountable every Muslim with knowledge who doesn’t share it with others and shine the truth on what is wrongly believed.
As Muslims we don’t have any doubt that Islamic democracy is alive and well. We may not necessarily agree with others on some elements of Western democracy in accordance with our Shari’a, nonetheless, we cannot deny that there are some similarities in the general perception of democracy whether in the West or from an Islamic standpoint. Respect for human rights, social equality, justice for all, and respect for human life are among the similarities found between a Western democracy and an Islamic democracy. If we deeply analyze any of Allah’s given rights to humans, and they are unlimited, we find regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or cultural background, we are required to abide by His rules and hold dear His commands that no human can harm, disrespect, or tyrannize others no matter who they are, or what social structure they belong to. Islam’s vision for democratic societies within Muslim nations has always been the core foundation for a happy and prosperous life. It is a misconception for anyone to believe that Islam is the source for Muslim sufferings and social deterioration. This misconception seems to be the norm these days in a considerable portion of Western countries. A lack of true knowledge and the biased media attitudes are two reasons for prosecuting both Islam and good Muslims. The socialization of Islam and terrorism is only a promotion of ideas and thoughts by some individuals and groups pushing for an escalation of tension between peoples and nations. When accusing Islam for objecting to democracy, let us first ask the question, which democracy? Suppose we are referring to a Western democracy as it is understood and applied in the West. Sure, Muslims have every right to oppose what contradicts their spiritual beliefs and Islamic teachings. Now, if on the other hand we are considering a Muslim democracy, our case of defending “Islam is democracy” needs no further arguments. Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradaoui strongly validates this defense by noting that, “He, who says that a Muslim democracy is disbelief, neither understands Islam, nor democracy.”
To understand the relationship between Islam and democracy one has to first understand Islam as a religion. Only by looking to Islam through a lens of reason and by taking a logical approach can we create emotional equilibrium and establish balance. Any argument sustained by personal motivations will degenerate the truth and rust every effort to establish meaningful and lasting social change. Muslim nations have never opposed change or rejected democracy. What Muslim nations oppose, however, is to believe in a system that doesn’t fit their way of life and attempts to make of them what they are not. Islam doesn’t forbid us from interacting with other cultures and learning from other nations that have progressed in areas which benefit the human kind such as medicine, technology, science, etc.
Governance in Islam takes a different direction when compared with other governing systems. Our rules are set according to the Shari‘a and the Sunnah (our Prophet Mohamed’s way of life). Democracy in Islam is based on the teachings of Islam. Human rights and freedom of speech are among these teachings and today seem to have suffered greatly in the Muslim world. Dr. Mohamed Yatimi (2006) believes that, “Democracy is not a stranger to Islam; what is needed is to develop this democracy and make it fit the present times.” He further notes that, “Western democracy is a man made democracy and that is different than democracy in Islam.”
One element Muslim scholars agree on is that Islam is not the problem; they believe that a combination of internal trends and outside intervention are handicaps preventing Muslim nations from being democratic. When asked about democracy and leadership in Muslim nations Dr. Radwan Masmoudi replied, “Extremist ideas and ideologies thrive when entire peoples, millions of people are deprived from their basic rights, dignity and hope for a better future.”
There is no other way to describe the situation in Muslim nations, except to note that the lack of good governance is a leadership failure. This failure is the main cause of extreme religious ideas and rebellious behavior towards Muslims and non-Muslims with no exceptions made. The Muslim public has grown accustomed to the fact that change is hopeless. This negative public opinion has only worsened the situation by giving leaders more room to exercise what they do best, ‘ impose themselves on others without consideration.’ Democracy at work is how committed and devoted people are to bring in change. If left up to governments, change will never occur. Governments are inherently known to discourage pluralism and support the power–elite theory. It becomes obvious from this brief explanation that the problem facing Muslim nations in securing democratic governance is the lack of a collective conscience and not Islam as many claim.
Outside interference is another major problem in Muslim nations. If we think that invading Iraq is going to spread democracy and change the mindset of the people in the country to accept and adopt a new governance regime that confers itself to new and different ideologies, we should think again. Iraq is a country that every Muslim feels a part of, not because of an association to ethnicity or cultural similarities, but because of what Iraq represents to the Muslim world. Iraq is sacred to every Muslim on earth because of religious and historical events that have for centuries shaped Muslim societies across the globe culturally, scientifically, economically, socially and educationally.
There is great danger in mischaracterizing Islam as undemocratic and inherently supporting terrorism. Embedding this mindset not only closes the door to much needed collaboration and education, but more importantly shakes the world’s security and prolongs conflicts with roots that will extend for generations to come. Unless people are willing to make efforts to overcome the distortion that Islam has any association with violence and terrorism, the way we all live will be forever changed. People must refrain from making sudden decisions as a result of unacceptable actions by a minority of individuals and groups who, in the eyes of Islam, are not Muslims, but killers. Force and war can only make the situation worse. It is through open dialogue and development of an understanding of Islam that we can improve and develop our relationships as people and learn to respect one another, although we differ in so many ways.

References
Masmoudi, Radwan (2000) Islam and Democracy, CSID. Washington, DC.
Qaradaoui, Yussuf (2005) Political and civil freedom in Islam. Aljazeera.net
Yatimi, Mohamed (2006) Democracy and Islam. Isdarat Publications, Morocco.