Muslims, Democracy, and the American Experience

In: Middle East quarterly, Band 12, Heft 3, S. 67-75

Abstract

Explores Islam's efforts to reconcile with modernity & democracy. Attention is given to Muhammad Iqbal's (1877-1938) lectures on the subject. It is argued that the problem for Muslims in coming to terms with the modern world stems from cultural resistance. The relationship between Islamic orthodoxy & the Muslim cultural system is next considered, highlighting the family & the mosque as a microcosm of this cultural universe. Defining democracy as a political-cultural system that describes the norms of a society reveals the cultural gap between the Muslim world & democracy. Attention is given to the culture of democracy extant in the US. It is contended that, since WWII, Muslim public opinion regarding the US has been shaped by the former's foreign policy rather than its democratic culture. In addition, it is claimed that no serious study of American democracy has been undertaken in the Muslim world. A call is made for this to occur as the moment has arrived for Muslims to choose between reform & cultural stagnation. J. Zendejas