1. DEMOCRACY AND RELIGION IN THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST Seth Ward University of Wyoming University of Shanghai

2. MIDDLE EAST

3. HTTP://UPLOAD.WIKIMEDIA.ORG/WIKIPEDIA/COMMONS /E/EE/DEMOCRACY_INDEX_2011.PNG

4. QUR’AN: SHURA 42:38, 3:159  "Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation among themselves; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance" [are praised]  Thus it is due to mercy from God that you deal with them gently, and had you been rough, hard hearted, they would certainly have dispersed from around you; pardon them therefore and ask pardon for them, and take counsel with them in the affair; so when you have decided, then place your trust in God; surely God loves those who trust.

5. SUNNI AND SHI’I  “fi al-ard khalifa”  Sunna of the Prophet  Wilaya “appointment”  Prophetic tradition /  Charismatic leaders http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/common s/0/08/Dhulfiqar.svg

6. LEBANON Parliament of Lebanon Seat Allocation ConfessionBefore TaifAfter Taif Maronite3034 Greek Orthodox1114 Greek Catholic68 Armenian Orthodox45 Armenian Catholic11 Protestant11 Other Christians11 Total Christians5464 Sunni2027 Shi'ite1927 Alawite02 Druze68 Total Muslims4564 Total99128

7. SYRIA  74% Sunni, 12% Alawi, 9% Christian, and 3% Druze.  90% Muslim, 9% Christian, Arab Christians, Assyrians and Armenians.  Kurds (9%), Assyrians, Armenians, Turkmens and Circassians (1%) Arab (90%) http://www.flickr.com/photos/mideaststrategy/5670411 858/

8. QUESTIONS?  How come Muslims in the United States profess to be such great citizens and do not castigate Islamic fascists? Are Christians tolerated in Iran or do they have to be undercover? Are women going to be included in Democracy? What is the speaker’s particular joy and can he speak in a Middle Eastern Language? Can you give a perspective on the new democracy emerging in Egypt?

9. MORE QUESTIONS  Democracy and religion in the US –why is this so different?