In 2006, Gallop posted the results of a survey of people living in 10 Muslim countries regarding their views about democracy and Islam – Muslim respondents stated that they admire ” political freedom, liberty, fair judicial systems, and freedom of speech” – and want the incorporation of Sharia law into a democratic system, in the belief that both can work together (also see CFR’s MIDDLE EAST: Islam and Democracy).
A recent in-depth Gallup survey in 10 predominantly Muslim countries, representing more than 80% of the global Muslim population, shows that when asked what they admire most about the West, Muslims frequently mention political freedom, liberty, fair judicial systems, and freedom of speech. When asked to critique their own societies, extremism and inadequate adherence to Islamic teachings were their top grievances.However, while Muslims say they admire freedom and an open political system, Gallup surveys suggest that they do not believe they must choose between Islam and democracy, but rather, that the two can co-exist inside one functional government.
Day of Anger (By Muhammad Ghafari from Giza, Egypt, Wiki)
The
apparent democratic revolutions that hold the prospect of spreading across the Arab world are not really a surprise for those of us who know the truth, that Islam is – indeed – comparable with democracy and a free society. Also – these democratic revolutions are mainly inspired by frustrated youth and college students who see their job and future prospects bleak in their own countries ruled by sometimes US backed autocrats. Arab parents often save and sacrifice to put their children though college – only to have them graduate to unemployment. This Author is also quite pleased that these democratic revolutions appear to be social-democratic revolutions (also-
euronews-Protests from Tunisia to Jordan ).Rather than take their frustrations out by running off to join the death cult of al-Qaeda, these young people want to fight for a better economic, social and democratic future. This crisis demonstrates what can happen when an out-of-touch government, coupled with economic frustrations and lack of a meaningful future can do to a nation of real human beings. They are fearless against the police, as there is no better choice for them but fearlessness -and some are now dying.
This is a true fight for freedom and a social democratic future – and not one that appears to include unregulated capitalism.
An old US policy practice of strategic interest first. We should also remember the practice of American policy from the Cold War of providing support for leaders, even dictators, that are of strategic interest to the US. This practice during the Cold War was often in Latin America, where the only importance to the US was that the leader’s loyalty was toward Washington and not Moscow. Since the bipolar, East-West, international system has long past – nations around the world can chose their loyalties and interests, which are often regional (ex. African Union).In the “war on terrorism,” the US fears that an Islamist, religious fanatic – a “bearded boogieman” – could be elected to power or a US-described “terrorist group” could be the largest party in parliament, like HAMAS in the Palestinian Authority. Democracy in Muslim countries is a scary thought for the US, even as the US has Muslim democracies (Turkey and Morocco) as strategic and non-NATO allies.
Could choosing a social-democracy replacement, similar to a European country, over autocracy and unregulated capitalism also be unacceptable to the US?(see –
President Obama, say the ‘D-Word’, Al Jazeera)
The Ghost of Pim Fortuyn should now be put to bed! The
democratic revolutions in Arab-Muslim countries is blowing a huge hole – further discrediting the Fortuyn-Wilders myths about Islam and the intentions of Muslim people around the globe. The old arguments from Pim Fortuyn are that Islam is comparable with democracy, and, therefore, immigrants from non-western, especially from Muslim countries, cannot “assimilate and integrate” into democratic societies. Wilders then furthers these hateful, insane myths of Fortuyn in that “Islam is an ideology” that “cannot coexist with personal freedom and seeks to destroy democratic society.” This “Islam is an ideology, not a religion” is the main myth from which Western Islamophobes on both sides of the Atlantic seek to deny religious freedom for Muslims.
Look at the arguments against the Muslim community center in Murfreesboro and we should be concerned that these myths are also believed by government officials!Yet – we now have people occupying positions in Western governments – from local to national – that actually believe in these hateful, insane, Dutch-created myths
that have NO basis in research-established facts! The Netherlands’ immigration policy is crafted on these myths and the country’s
Buitenlandse Zaken (foreign ministry) now appears to poised to make crisis and issues in Arab-Muslim nations the “product of Islam,” even if the crisis and issues are NOT related to Islam (The current crisis in Egypt is multifaceted and has more to do with economic issues and an stubborn autocrat refusing democratic reforms).Well – we see from the existence of democracies in predominantly Muslim countries and support for democracy in surveys – youth fighting and dying in “the Arab Street” for a better future in a social -democratic society -
all of these should put Fortuyn’s miserable ghost to rest. The insane myths about Muslims and Islam created in the Netherlands and exported through the Western world –
are just hateful, insane myths with no basis in facts that we can see before our eyes in Egypt.
Now - we should cheer on the democratic revolutionaries, and those of us who have read the research on Muslims’ views on democracy had the feeling that this would might and could happen. We should be glad it is, and hope for a more free and democratic future for suffering Arab peoples – now let’s get out of the way!.(also see –
EUbusiness, EU invites Tunisian foreign minister to Brussels –
Human Rights Watch, Live Updates From Egypt –
Obama urges reform in Egypt, Al Jazeera -
Al Jazeera English: Live Stream )
