NationStates Jolt Archive

Can anyone explain to me how democracy is anti-Islam? Is it? Or is this one more example of an extremist twisting the Koran?

Thanks!
JennyWorld

Can anyone explain to me how democracy is anti-Islam? Is it? Or is this one more example of an extremist twisting the Koran?

Thanks!
JennyWorld


Anyone who thinks Islam is anti-democracy forgets that the Caliph was democratically elected for 1300 years.

The authority to rule is not given to any one on the basis of his religious position. All members of the society have a right, nay the duty, to give the reigns of power to those whom they trust. The political leadership is accountable before the people as much as it is accountable before God. It is the people who have the right to elect or change the leadership, through political process. In the Islamic political system there has to be rule of law and respect for fundamental rights of all members of the society, including non-Muslim minorities. The principle of accountability of the Government is also cardinal to the Islamic system. Similarly the election and removal of leadership through the will of the people is an accepted principle. So is the right to disagree and dissent.

From wikipedia
The Sunnis and Shi'as differ as to who was the first Caliph of Islam. According to Sunni thought, the first Caliph was Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, the father-in-law of Muhammad, who was elected into power in 632. The Shi'a, on the other hand, believe that the honour should go to Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law Ali Ibn Abi Talib on the basis of his blood relation to the Prophet himself.Conversly it is the Shia that are most accepting of the elections and it is Sunni insurgents who are calling for a boycott of the elections. Twisted. :D

edit: After reading all that I think some Us government representative had a lot of nerve to say the Iraq elctions are a regional first, andassuchitdoesnotmatterifelectionturnoutislow.

It should be noted that any form of nationalism is greatly frowned upon in Islam. Muslims do not pledge allegiance to flags or countries and that is why the Sunni are against the elections in Iraq. Not because Muslims are against democracy or freedom, but because the elections in Iraq are being presented by the Americans as a nationalistic ideal, rather than a free and fair representation of the Iraqi people under Allah.

The Sunni do not want to trade one atheist dictator for another.

I think you're being too idealistic, I think they just don't want to trade in a Secular depot for Shia President.

I think you're being too idealistic, I think they just don't want to trade in a Secular depot for Shia President.

Meh ... there was once a time when the creation of a "European Union" was put down as a "Utopian Fantasy" ... history makes fools of us all. *shrug*

Meh ... there was once a time when the creation of a "European Union" was put down as a "Utopian Fantasy" ... history makes fools of us all. *shrug*
I wasn't saying that there aren't good reasons for boycotting the elections, just that their reasons might be a bit more base.

I wasn't saying that there aren't good reasons for boycotting the elections, just that their reasons might be a bit more base.

It's possible, though by reading al-Zarqawi's letters, it's probably a bit of both.

Can anyone explain to me how democracy is anti-Islam? Is it? Or is this one more example of an extremist twisting the Koran?

Thanks!
JennyWorld

Huhn? I'd rather say that it's Islam that is anti-democracy, not democracy that's anti-Islam. If you're talking about the bogus "elections" in Iraq, as some seem to understand, there's nothing democratic about them whatsoever - no campain, no real choice, no security, no guarantee of fairness - but I don't see a link with Islam.

I dont think that any democracy is agaist or for islam. It is just the people deciding how they want to be ruled. It doesnt have to do with religon -Shai Hulud II

It's possible, though by reading al-Zarqawi's letters, it's probably a bit of both.

I'm too scared to read all he puts out. How does one stay informed, but not get so scared that one hides under one's bed all day?

It should be noted that any form of nationalism is greatly frowned upon in Islam. Muslims do not pledge allegiance to flags or countries and that is why the Sunni are against the elections in Iraq. Not because Muslims are against democracy or freedom, but because the elections in Iraq are being presented by the Americans as a nationalistic ideal, rather than a free and fair representation of the Iraqi people under Allah.

The Sunni do not want to trade one atheist dictator for another.

That makes sense. About the currecnt election being seen as a "nationalistic ideal". The US is so twisted up in this whole thing by bad decisions, it seems impossible to point to a simple solution to fix anything and let each country rule itself as they see fit.

I'm too scared to read all he puts out. How does one stay informed, but not get so scared that one hides under one's bed all day?

Be cynical about the whole thing, they have abilities but so do we... I tend to think we have by far the better ones... they just have nutters who are willing to blow themselves up on the basis of what a book says.