ISLAM AND DEMOCRACY Chapter 1

BACKGROUND ON ISLAM Started on the Arabian peninsula in the 7 th Century A.D. Started on the Arabian peninsula in the 7 th Century A.D. Islam is monotheistic Islam is monotheistic Islam literally means "surrender" or "submission" Islam literally means "surrender" or "submission"

BACKGROUND ON ISLAM The Quran, the sacred text of Islam, contains the teachings of the Prophet that were revealed to him from Allah (God). The Quran, the sacred text of Islam, contains the teachings of the Prophet that were revealed to him from Allah (God). Founded by the Prophet Muhammad Founded by the Prophet Muhammad

BACKGROUND ON ISLAM Essential to Islam is the belief that Allah is the one and true God with no partner or equal. Essential to Islam is the belief that Allah is the one and true God with no partner or equal. Islam has several branches and much variety within those branches. Islam has several branches and much variety within those branches. The two divisions within the tradition are the Sunni and Shi'a, each of which claims different means of maintaining religious authority The two divisions within the tradition are the Sunni and Shi'a, each of which claims different means of maintaining religious authority

BACKGROUND ON ISLAM The Five Pillars, the fundamental practices of Islam: a ritual profession of faith, ritual prayer, charity, fasting, and a pilgrimage to Mecca. The Five Pillars, the fundamental practices of Islam: a ritual profession of faith, ritual prayer, charity, fasting, and a pilgrimage to Mecca. The primary sacred places include: Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. The primary sacred places include: Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem.

DEMOCRACY-FRIENDLY ASPECTS OF ISLAM They had a Shura which is an Arabic word for "consultation" The Quran and Muhammad encourage Muslims to decide their affairs in consultation with those who will be affected by that decision. It is often used in organizing the affairs Islamic organizations and in parliaments on democratic votes.

DEMOCRACY-FRIENDLY ASPECTS OF ISLAM Ijma, or the principle of consensus. racial equality racial equality Islam’s sensitivity to the needs of the poor and weak. Islam’s sensitivity to the needs of the poor and weak. Respect for order, sense of justice, and respect for law. Respect for order, sense of justice, and respect for law.

Democratic Islamic Nations Most experts cite Turkey, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mali, and Senegal as democracies. (Indonesia, with 196 million people, is the world's largest Muslim nation).

Democratic Islamic Nations The following Arab nations fall somewhere between autocracy and democracy:   Morocco, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Algeria, Qatar, and Yemen (From most to least democratic, these countries are).   may have legislatures, labor unions, and political parties, but their ruling party, president, or king exercises final control.

Turkey and Democracy Turkish Democracy does not look exactly like Western Democracy separation between religion and the state.

Turkey and Democracy This was accomplished by Ataturk in a series of radical measures, including:   disestablishment of Islam   repeal of the Sacred Law   enactment in their place of civil and criminal codes of a nonreligious character.

Turkey and Democracy Moving to a constitutional and representative government in nineteenth-century Turkey’s desire to restore a perceived loss of old established rights prior to Ottoman Empire.