: Undemocratic Countries Avoid “Islam & Democracy” Conference

There’s a lot of pressure of Muslim countries to reform with respect to democracy and human rights – movements from within (see Saad Eddin Ibrahim of Egypt and Sherin Ebadi of Iran), realizations from current leaders that progress requires change (see efforts in Jordan and Libya, and pressure from the United States in the form of the “Greater Middle East Initiative“. In the face of these challenges, pro-democracy advocates, human rights workers, and government officials gathered in Istanbul to discuss reform at a conference on Islam and democracy. The meeting was sponsored by the UN Development Program and the Washington-based National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, headed by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. “We should end the debate whether Islam is compatible with democracy or not,” said Turkish Minister of State Mehmet Aydin, “and take steps towards institutionalizing principles of democracy in Islamic societies.” Others, such as Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher, stressed the need to promote home-grown efforts at freedom, women’s rights, and educational reform, otherwise “opponents of political and social reform will conveniently label reform efforts as a mere implementation of a Western agenda.” Among the countries not represented were some that needed to hear the message of the conference most, including Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran. The meeting concluded with a communique that emphasized the “the compatibility of Islam and the principles of democracy” and stressed the delegates’ belief in freedom of expression and of the press, the rule of law, regular multiparty elections, and the equal participation of women in the democratic decision-making process.

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.