Democracy and Islam: An Odyssey in Braving the Twenty-First Century

During the last few decades, the Muslim world has witnessed various traumatic events that led many to regard Islam and democracy as incompatible. Nevertheless, there is abundant evidence that democracy and the Islamic faith are compatible. This article contends that the traditions, scripture, and teachings of the founder of Islam are compatible with the principles and practices of democracy and that the chief encumbrance to the development of democracy in Muslim states has not been and is not Islam itself. It compares the historical obstacles to the development of democracy in Europe with counterpart obstacles to democracy's development in the Middle East. It further demonstrates the compatibility of Islam and democracy by discussing Muslim tradition, historical figures, and sacred texts, all of which endorse democratic values including justice, consultation, egalitarianism, education, and pluralism. It notes the historical decline of democratic ideals in Muslim states since the sixteenth century and discusses their potential reemergence in Muslim states.