|
|
Dear Members and Friends of CSID:
Welcome to our new CSID Bulletin! We hope you like the new design and find it more convenient and easier to use. This SPECIAL issue of the bulletin contains the second set of 6 papers that were presented at our 9th Annual Conference, which was held on May 14, 2008, in Washington DC. The remaining excellent and thought-provoking papers will be sent in the coming bulletin.
|
|
What Islam represents to us - What are the basic ideas of our program?
Abderrazak Makri
 Concerning liberties and democracy, one may say that this need is the most important one and the basis of any change to achieve all the other needs. I may affirm to you that the requirement of democracy represents for our movement the fundamental condition to achieve change and thus meet the needs and expectations of Algerians in various fields. The main problem in Algeria is not the problem of Islamic fundamentalists as it is sometimes told, but the essential problem, as it is the case in other Arab countries, is the problem of democracy and liberties. Algeria has a great potential to escape underdevelopment, but what prevents us from doing that is the absence of good governance. Indeed, it is not possible to attain good governance without transparency and control of public money, without alternation in government, without genuine competition between ideas and programs; without freedom of civil society and media and without political liberties in general, i.e. without democracy.
|
Islam and the Civil State from a contemporary perspective
Mohamed Yatim
This paper seeks to highlight our perception of the state in Islam as a civilian state and stress the rejection of Islamic doctrine, from our perspective in the Justice and Development Party, of the concept of theocratic state. The paper also seeks to emphasise the civilian character of the state in Islam and refute the incompatibility between the principles of divine governing and popular sovereignty on the grounds that divine governing can only be achieved through popular will. However, we begin by highlighting the fundamental truth of religion as being originally a liberating message contrary to all forms of compulsion, whether in its belief or legislative system or its political, educational or social systems. Bio & Abstract Full Paper
|
The Algerian Islamic Movement and 'Political Islam': An Insider's Perspective
Anwar N Haddam
 The paper sheds some light, from an insider perspective, on the Algerian Islamic Movement and its political activists assessing that they are not theocrats, nor autocrats, but basically peaceful Muslim Democrats whose main concern is the prosperity and well being of the Algerian people. The paper refers to their stands on issues such as: democracy and how they reconciled it with the concept of "Divine Sovereignty" (Al Hakimia), the concept of citizenship, political pluralism, cultural and religious diversity, individual as well as collective freedoms, including freedom of thought, freedom of belief, and freedom of expression, basic human rights, rights of women, right of minorities, economic development and the vital sources of energy, issues related to the Holy Land in the Middle East, terrorism and the various problems facing global peace and security. The paper also addresses the discrepancies between these well documented positions and the facts that are on the ground: what went wrong with the Algerian democracy, and what are the real reasons behind its betrayal?
|
Muslim Brothers Party's Platform in Egypt - From a Human Rights Perspective
Bahey eldin Hassan
 It is logical that the drafters of the Platform did not shield themselves with the Islamic declarations of human rights or the so-called "The Arab Human Rights Charter." The Platform does not refer at all to these declarations although they are totally consistent with its philosophy, logic and principles. It is because referring to such declarations, which are inconsistent with the international human rights standards, would have cost the Brotherhood severe losses, in particular with regard to securing the neutrality of the international community.
|
The Challenges and Opportunities Moroccan Islamist Movements Pose to Women's Political Participation
Laurel Rapp
Drawing on original survey data conducted among Moroccan university students, this study will assess the opportunities and challenges Moroccan Islamist parties operating within the political system (the Party for Justice and Development) and outside of the political system (Adl wa al-Ishane) offer for women's political participation. This paper highlights Adl wa al-Ishane's commitment to women's membership and leadership within the movement and the carving out of greater political space for discussions of "Islamic Feminism." It also champions the PJD's commitment to engaging women in all levels of the party, a position that has served to advance women's participation in the political sphere. Bio & Abstract Full Paper
|
Shari'ah and Democracy: the Experiences of Indonesia and Morocco
Yusuf Fernández
 The cartoons crisis has been used in the Muslim world by dictatorial regimes and reactionary forces to denigrate democratic ideas, which are linked necessarily to the worst aspects of the most antireligious secularism. However, most Muslims know that democracy and aggressive secularism are not synonyms and religious feelings are not incompatible with democracy. In fact, Indonesia and Turkey´s examples show that the Islamic revival has become a natural trend after years of secular authoritarianism. Few people doubt now that Islamist parties can play a key role in the construction of a free and prosperous society and secular forces can sometimes become an obstacle in the path of democratic reforms. Muslims in Indonesia and Morocco, like in the rest of the Islamic world, try to reconcile political and economic freedoms and the rule of law with religious values and identity. The ways to achieve this objective are always subject to discussion.
Bio & Abstract Full Paper
|
|
|
|
You may also download the conference booklet (All bios and abstracts - 1.3 MB) and the conference proceedings (All the papers - 1.4 MB). We look forward to hearing from you, and please do not forget to renew your membership and support CSID for 2008 by clicking here. Your memberships fees and donations allow CSID to continue its mission of promoting democracy in the Muslim world and educating Americans - and American policy makers - about Islam and the Muslim world. With our best wishes and regards,
Sincerely,
|
Radwan A. Masmoudi
President
Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy |
|
|
