DURIAN
text AMINA RASUL, Former Presidential Adviser on Youth Affairs
Making democracy work in Muslim communities
GLOBALIZATION, modernity and the increasing secularization of our communities have brought tensions that have moved Muslims to strengthen their faith in defense of the entry of “un-Islamic influences.” Tensions have recently found release in the outrage over the extremely offensive Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). Unfortunately, violence has accompanied the outrage. Many have been hurt and property damages are estimated in the millions of dollars.
The European media, in self-righteous indignation, justify their offense by crying “freedom of expression.” Surely they must have anticipated the resultant fury. We recognize the importance of free speech. What about media’s responsibility and accountability to the community, beyond increasing sales? Especially today when suspicions between the West and the Muslim world run high and the need for mutual understanding is great. It is discouraging that while some tirelessly advocate mutual respect and compassion, others willfully stir up hostilities.
Early this week, Islamic scholars and Muftis (most learned ulamas who can interpret sharia and give fatwas, or religious edicts) gathered for a 3-day forum on peace and democracy organized by the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID). They condemned the vilification of the Prophet but at the same time called for restraint. Their statement reads: “We caution the ummah [the Muslim community] in the Philippines against the use of violence as a way of protesting this insult to our faith. The teaching of sharia condemns all forms of unjust and unreasonable use of violence, for Islam is the religion of peace and the Prophet [PBUH] condemns all such forms of violence especially those done in His name.”
Muslim faithful in Cotabato City and Manila have protested the insult in nonviolent demonstrations. Most Muslims live in communities very different—many would say “closed”—from that of the West. Will Muslims jump with alacrity out of their set ways to embrace the freedoms of the Western countries? As my teenage son would say, with all the incredulity he could muster, “Duh! [Translation: you must be kidding].”
Muslims have to learn to live in this rapidly globalizing, continuously modernizing world. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, member of the Thai Parliament and former Thai foreign minister, spoke of the need for Muslims to adapt, adopt and innovate as the forces of globalization enter our neighborhood.
Dr. Pitsuwan, a force for progressive thought and democracy, has been the keynote speaker of two PCID regional forums. He also warned against the Western belief that Muslims will jump at the chance to don the garb of the modern West in pursuit of democracy. Democracy must be homegrown. Dr. Pitsuwan believes that “majority Muslims are inventing, restructuring, redesigning the system in order that the state system would become vehicles for the promotion of the values, of the identities, and the interests of the larger ummah.” Hence, Muslims ought to “come up with effective systems and frameworks that would be enabling to the mainstream Muslim majority in order to maintain, promote and protect their own way of life and their own interests.”
The European media, in self-righteous indignation, justify their offense by crying “freedom of expression.” Surely they must have anticipated the resultant fury. We recognize the importance of free speech. What about media’s responsibility and accountability to the community, beyond increasing sales? Especially today when suspicions between the West and the Muslim world run high and the need for mutual understanding is great. It is discouraging that while some tirelessly advocate mutual respect and compassion, others willfully stir up hostilities.
Early this week, Islamic scholars and Muftis (most learned ulamas who can interpret sharia and give fatwas, or religious edicts) gathered for a 3-day forum on peace and democracy organized by the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID). They condemned the vilification of the Prophet but at the same time called for restraint. Their statement reads: “We caution the ummah [the Muslim community] in the Philippines against the use of violence as a way of protesting this insult to our faith. The teaching of sharia condemns all forms of unjust and unreasonable use of violence, for Islam is the religion of peace and the Prophet [PBUH] condemns all such forms of violence especially those done in His name.”
Muslim faithful in Cotabato City and Manila have protested the insult in nonviolent demonstrations. Most Muslims live in communities very different—many would say “closed”—from that of the West. Will Muslims jump with alacrity out of their set ways to embrace the freedoms of the Western countries? As my teenage son would say, with all the incredulity he could muster, “Duh! [Translation: you must be kidding].”
Muslims have to learn to live in this rapidly globalizing, continuously modernizing world. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, member of the Thai Parliament and former Thai foreign minister, spoke of the need for Muslims to adapt, adopt and innovate as the forces of globalization enter our neighborhood.
Dr. Pitsuwan, a force for progressive thought and democracy, has been the keynote speaker of two PCID regional forums. He also warned against the Western belief that Muslims will jump at the chance to don the garb of the modern West in pursuit of democracy. Democracy must be homegrown. Dr. Pitsuwan believes that “majority Muslims are inventing, restructuring, redesigning the system in order that the state system would become vehicles for the promotion of the values, of the identities, and the interests of the larger ummah.” Hence, Muslims ought to “come up with effective systems and frameworks that would be enabling to the mainstream Muslim majority in order to maintain, promote and protect their own way of life and their own interests.”
How do we participate in the democratic framework, without compromising our values and identity as Muslims? (Some ask whether democratization means being less Islamic or whether being Islamic means less democracy.) Democratization, in all of its facets—participation, justice, liberty, equity—still remains the key to neutralizing violent radical movements, whether Muslim or Christian.
We must recognize that the Muslim communities around the world and in the Philippines have distinct cultural and environmental contexts. Thus, we face the challenge of building social, political, economic institutions within our communities that would allow for multiple views: between different Muslim groups and from people of different religions. As such, the dynamics of democratization will inevitably vary from one Islamic community to another. More importantly, the challenge of creating social, political and economic institutions that are just need to be addressed, if we are to find relevant solutions to the estrangement of Muslims and the resultant radicalization.
We must recognize that the Muslim communities around the world and in the Philippines have distinct cultural and environmental contexts. Thus, we face the challenge of building social, political, economic institutions within our communities that would allow for multiple views: between different Muslim groups and from people of different religions. As such, the dynamics of democratization will inevitably vary from one Islamic community to another. More importantly, the challenge of creating social, political and economic institutions that are just need to be addressed, if we are to find relevant solutions to the estrangement of Muslims and the resultant radicalization.
Danish cartoons do not help. Danish pastries, maybe.
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