Ian Buruma (via ALDaily) has a thoughtful article on the prospects for an Islamic democracy. The only alternative to theocracy need not be a hardline separation of state and religion, following the example of the post-enlightenment West, or Ataturk’s forced secularisation of Turkey. A zealous anti-clericalism can backfire:
In fact, anti-clericalism, much more than a history of religious zeal, formed the basis for many of the Middle East’s bloodiest political failures: Nasserism in Egypt, Baathism in Syria and Iraq, the shah in Iran. These regimes were led by secular elites who saw religion as something that held their countries back or in a state of colonial dependence. The fact that a number of iron-fisted reformers, like Nasser himself, were routinely the objects of assassination attempts by religious zealots showed the gap between the secular ”progressive” elites and the people they ruled. When organized religion is destroyed, something worse often takes its place, usually a quasi religion or personality cult exploited by dictators. When it is marginalized, as happened in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East, it provokes a religious rebellion.
Indonesia provides an example of a Muslim country with a functioning – if flawed – democracy. And there’s hope in the pronouncements of Al-Sistani:
The ayatollah insists that an Iraqi constituent assembly must be chosen through direct elections and that ”any basic law written by this assembly must be approved by a national referendum.” He makes only cursory reference to Koranic law as the basis for that legal code. Any attempts to postpone general elections because of security concerns, especially in the Sunni areas, have also been fiercely resisted. In mid-October, he issued a fatwa requiring all men and women to vote, equating voting with such basic religious duties as fasting during Ramadan. It is the duty of the Shiites, according to the ayatollah, to protect Sunni and Christian interests as well. And although he opposed a plan to allow Kurds, who make up 15 to 20 percent of the Iraqi population, veto power over the constitution, he has not squelched Kurdish hopes of preserving some degree of autonomy under a new government. All these are fine words, of course, yet to be tested in reality. But they are remarkable words for a Shiite cleric born in Iran and should be taken seriously.
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