Political Islam has been the subject of a great deal of debate in the world today. Political Islam is like a chameleon that tries to blend in with democratic values, but in reality, it betrays them. It’s like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, using Islamic values to shape public policy and governance, from peaceful activism to violent extremism. However, when it comes to democratic values, political Islam often falls short.
Before we delve into the examples, it is important to have a definition of what we mean by political Islam. Political Islam is a term that is used to describe the intersection of Islam and politics, in which Islamic values are used to shape public policy and governance. From peaceful political activism to violent extremism, it can manifest itself in many ways.
The concept of equality, where each citizen is treated equally regardless of race, religion, or gender, is one of the core democratic values. Political Islam, however, has often fallen short in this regard. In the name of Islamic values, women in countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia are denied basic rights such as the right to drive or travel without a man’s permission. These countries enshrine the concept of male guardianship, where women need permission from a male relative to make important life decisions. This clearly violates democratic values, where every citizen has equal rights and opportunities.
Another democratic value is freedom of speech and expression. Every citizen has the right to freely express his or her opinions and ideas without fear of persecution. In political Islam, however, these freedoms are often suppressed, especially when it comes to criticism of the religion or of its leaders. Blasphemy laws, sometimes resulting in death sentences, are used to punish those who criticize Islam or its leaders in countries such as Iran and Pakistan. This is not only a violation of the democratic value of free speech, but also a violation of the Islamic principle of compassion and forgiveness.
Moreover, the concept of the rule of law, in which laws are made and enforced in a fair and impartial manner, is often undermined by political Islam. Political Islam has been used to justify the persecution and imprisonment of political opponents and critics in countries such as Egypt and Türkiye. In Egypt, journalists and academics have been imprisoned for speaking out against the government, while in Türkiye the government has used the label of terrorism to justify the detention of thousands of political prisoners without due process. This erodes the democratic value of the rule of law and the concept of an impartial judiciary.
Finally, political Islam often rejects the concept of pluralism and tolerance, in which different ideas and beliefs are respected and allowed to coexist. Religious minorities such as Hindus and Christians face persecution and discrimination, often at the hands of extremist groups inspired by political Islam, in countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is a violation not only of the democratic value of tolerance, but also of the Islamic principle of respect for the rights of religious minorities.
Political Islam claims to offer a framework for a just and moral society. However, it often falls short when it comes to democratic values. Examples from various countries have shown that political Islam can lead to the violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to equality, the right to freedom of expression, and the right to the rule of law. While respect for the diversity of religious beliefs and practices is important, so too is respect for the principles of democracy and human rights for all citizens, regardless of their religion or background.
Islam vs. Political Islam
It is important to distinguish between the religion of Islam and the political ideology of political Islam. Islam as a religion is based on a set of core values and principles that are compatible with the modern way of life and the values of democracy. These include principles such as justice, compassion, equality, and respect for human rights.
However, these values are often manipulated and exploited by political Islamists for their own political purposes. They employ the language of Islam to justify their political goals, which are not necessarily in line with the true principles of Islam. This has led to the mistaken belief that political Islam and Islam are synonymous, which is not the case at all.
It is important to recognize that political Islamists often cherry-pick certain aspects of Islam to suit their political agenda while ignoring other important principles of the religion. For example, they may ignore the importance of compassion, tolerance, and respect for human rights while emphasizing the importance of religious identity and adherence to Islamic law. Interpreting Islam in such a selective manner can lead to a distorted and unbalanced view of Islam.
In addition, in ways that are fundamentally incompatible with democratic values, political Islamists often rely on authoritarianism and coercion to achieve their political goals. In violation of democratic principles of freedom of speech and the rule of law, they may use violence and intimidation to silence dissent and suppress opposition. This authoritarian approach, rather than a democratic system that promotes accountability and transparency, can also lead to a concentration of power in the hands of a small group of individuals.
Examples
There are many examples of countries where political Islam is an influential phenomenon. However, we can list the countries where political Islam is prominent in the MENA region as Iran, Egypt, Türkiye, Pakistan and Tunisia.
Iran: The Islamic Republic of Iran was established in 1979 as a result of the Islamic revolution, with the goal of creating a society based on Islamic principles. However, the government has often used these principles as a tool for the suppression of dissent and the violation of human rights. For example, women in Iran must wear the hijab in public, and violators of this requirement are subject to prison sentences and fines. The government has also imprisoned and tortured journalists and activists and used other harsh measures to stifle political opposition and restrict freedom of expression.
Egypt: In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood is a political organization that is a proponent of political Islam. However, the Brotherhood was criticized for its authoritarian tactics and disregard for democratic values when it came to power in 2012. President Mohamed Morsi was accused of consolidating his own power and restricting freedom of expression when he became Egypt’s first elected civilian president after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak. A 2013 military coup eventually overthrew Morsi, and the current government has been accused of human rights abuses, including jailing political opponents and journalists.
Türkiye: Türkiye‘s ruling party, the AKP, is a conservative Islamic party. It has been in power since 2002. In recent years, the party has been accused of suppressing dissent and restricting freedom of expression after initially promising to promote democratic values and increase freedoms. The government has been behind the arrest and detention of journalists, academics, and activists who have been critical of the government or its policies. In addition, the government allegedly undermined the rule of law through the dismissal of judges and magistrates seen as critical of the government.
Pakistan: In Pakistan, Islamist parties are accused of promoting extremist agendas that undermine democracy. For instance, Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have been used to target religious minorities and stifle free speech. Those accused of blasphemy can be subject to the death penalty, and the law has been criticized for being used to settle personal scores and for intimidation of opponents. The government has also been accused of support for militant groups that promote an extremist interpretation of Islam and are violators of human rights.
Tunisia: In Tunisia, the Ennahda party is a conservative Islamic party that has been accused of being in favor of an agenda that is at odds with democratic values. The party has been criticized for attempts to limit freedom of expression and for the promotion of a conservative agenda that is discriminatory toward women and religious minorities. The party has advocated requiring women to wear the hijab in public and has supported using religious courts to settle disputes.
To sum up, we can point to numerous examples of the violation of democratic values by political Islamists from one country to the next. Political Islam has often been used to justify authoritarianism and restrict individual freedoms, from the suppression of dissent and freedom of expression to the violation of women’s rights and the rule of law. While the principles of Islam are compatible with democratic values, political Islamists have often distorted and manipulated these principles to suit their political agendas, with the result that human rights and democratic principles have been violated.
Reflection on the relationship between political Islam and democratic values is a reminder of the delicate balance between ideology and reality. While Islam itself is based on principles of compassion, justice, and equality, political Islamists have often used these values to promote authoritarianism and restrict individual freedoms. The examples we have seen, from Iran to Egypt to Türkiye to Pakistan and Tunisia, all point to the danger of the use of religion as a tool for political gain.
It is important to remember that democracy itself is not perfect in this struggle between ideology and reality. It is a process that is in need of constant attention and effort, and it is always vulnerable to the influence of those who would undermine it. But it is also a process that offers hope, allows change, and recognizes the inherent dignity and worth of all people.
Moving forward, we must strive to promote a nuanced and balanced understanding of Islam, recognizing its core values and principles while rejecting political Islamists’ authoritarian and coercive tactics. We must also continue to struggle for democratic values, acknowledging that these values are fundamental to ensure that all people are free to express themselves and engage in the political processes. For we can only create a world that is just, equitable, and free through the realization of these values.
All publishing rights and copyrights reserved to MENA Research and Study Center.
