Outlook of democracy in Islam “The innate characteristics of Islamic methodologies are: ‘cruelty,’ ‘anti-social attitudes’ and ‘inhumane methodologies.’” “Author” It ought, in connection with the claims of Islamic leaders, to be asked: Is there an extensive outlook of Islamic economic democracy? With a brief study it could be conceived that the community of Islamic states are way behind in their approach to economical, social and cultural issues. Many shortcomings in the spheres of educational rights, the setting up of trade unions, technical education, social security rights, etc., are evident. After World War II, advances in some capitalist countries in the fields of economy, social science and culture have accelerated to an astonishing extent. In these countries, of which Sweden is a good example, standards of life have increased manifold; the daily and weekly working hours of the working classes have been reduced and better conditions of education have been provided for working-class children. Women have gained equal rights to those of men, and social security systems along with childcare facilities have been improved. As a separate issue, could we speak of the political rights of the working classes within the Islamic states? In response to those who claim the presence of political rights in Islamic states must indicate this, how can they justify such claims in view of unlimited lawlessness, the unlawful detention of citizens, interrogations, humility, torture, the unjust prosecution and deportation of immigrants to death camps, poverty, extreme cold, sickness and slavery? While the most basic human rights are overtly violated and the torture system operates above the law, could there still be an expression of political democracy? While the poor and needy sector of society are deported because of strikes over work, while national minorities are neglected for their most basic rights, and while, through the transfer of millions of locals from their own safe environment into hostile climates during which thousands of old and young, women and children are tossed to one side, how could there still be a claim on democracy? There is no room to talk of democracy while lawlessness turns itself into a lifestyle and while the plural leadership of society is taken over by a few; bureaucracy has spread its wings across social life; man’s political initiatives are violated, and people are being deprived of ambitions for their future. The administrative aspect of government is only controlled by a limited leadership, which has nothing in common with democracy. At the high offices of the government, bureaucracy rein, and there is no room for the public to have a say in their day-to-day running of such offices. The entire staff of government offices in Islamic countries is selected by the leadership and not by the public. Throughout Islamic states, the public at large does not elect their representatives, and therefore there are no signs of competition amongst the “varied” candidates. It is a well-known fact that the election procedures in Islamic states, for which there are colorful ceremonies, have in essence no substance at all. Elections in Islamic states are tantamount to a horse race in which there is only a sole representative. This procedure runs through every field throughout the country and within the united Islamic parties such that the members of these parties have no control of their respective leaders, and therefore the leaders of each constituency do not take responsibility for their members but only for their own leaders of higher authority. In this manner, bureaucracy throughout the Islamic states is replaced by democracy. How would landlords and the bureaucratic classes, who have for years ruled Islamic society, set aside their own personal interests and hence voluntarily accept the transfer of power onto the public? In a relatively advanced and free society, democracy is not a goal but a tool of advancement towards the future. But within Islamic states, democracy is both a goal and the tool. In his description of democracy, one Islamic leader once wrote: “For our nation, the existence of democracy and the possibilities of expressing our opinions are of great importance. Without freedom in the deliverance of information and without the free usage of democratic rights, all other forms of democratic rights will be undermined and a vision of true socialist society would seem impossible. In the meantime, in order to rid our society of bureaucrats, favoritism, bribery and lawlessness, the presence of democracy is essential. We must eradicate bribery, administrative corruption, mental stagnation and other forms of unpleasant parameters from our society. Because democracy would eliminate obstacles and other forms of differences between the educated people and governmental offices, and ultimately paves the way for economic and social advancements.” Evidently, man’s mental and material potential can only surface through a democratic environment.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 22:03:13 +0000
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