Acknowledgement:
I am thankful to my professor Dr. Mir Ahmadi for introducing
religious democracy in the class and giving me the opportunity to prepare my
coursework on this issue. This is a complete new idea for me and therefore I am
glad that he explained the subject matter in details. Religious Democracy can
be a high potential source for the Islamic political parties and governments in
the Muslim world. I am summarizing
Professor Dr. Mir Ahmadi’s(one of the pioneer academic of our time, on this
issue) lecture to introduce this critical system because this is a newer idea
in the field of political science and only a few works have been done on this
issue. As we know, there have been so many write up by popular Islamic
political scholars about Islamic governing and political systems but all of
them failed except Velayate Faqih in Iran. (Iran successfully projected the
idea of Velayate Faqih under the great leadership of late Imam Khomeini (rh)
and his successor Imam Khameini (mza).) We can see scholars trying to build
Islamic political system in Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh etc. but all
their efforts failed as these are more authoritarian ideas than democratic. As
we can see in history, Hasanul Banna, Sayed kutub, Abul ala Moududi and some
other scholars like them gave ideas on Islamic political and governing systems
but they failed.
Therefore, this idea of Religious Democracy could be a potential
source of implementing Religious democratic government in every Muslim
Populated country as this idea has clear guidance of religion and at the same
time; it assures people’s choice and freedom.
Introductory
Note:
I am trying to prepare a summary of the lecture of Professor Dr.
Mir Ahmadi on Religious democracy (which I attended in Shahid Beheshti
University). I will explain what religious democracy is in the summary. Later on,
I will explain the potentiality of implementing this idea in Muslim countries with
a special focus on the context of Bangladesh.
Definition
Defining complex words like religion or democracy is a critical
task as scholars see these in different ways and manners. Thus, it is a complex
matter to define these terms in one sentence.
We will mention some definition of common understanding to avoid the
critical explanation as our main goal of this article is to explain the unique
term; religious democracy .
Religion: The term Religion originates from the Latin word “Religio” which
in modern concept means an abstraction, which entails distinct sets of beliefs
or doctrines. Religion could be explained as a cultural system of behaviors,
practices, worldviews, ethics and social organization that relate humanity to
an order of existence.[1]
Democracy: The term Democracy
originates from the Greek word “Demokratia” meaning “the rule of the people”. “ A system of government in which all the
people of a state or polity…are involved in making decisions about its affairs,
typically by voting to elect representatives to a parliament or similar
assembly” defined by Oxford English dictionary[2].
Most popularly, Abraham Lincoln defines Democracy as “A government by the
people, for the people, to the people”. Democracy has many forms but Liberal
democracy is considered to be the most powerful form as the western nations
applied it to their government policies and propagated it throughout the world.
Liberal democracy: Liberal democracy is a political ideology and a form of government
in which representative democracy operates under the principles of liberalism.
It is characterized by fair, free and competitive elections between multiple
distinct political parties, a separation of power into different branches of
government, the rule of law in everyday
Religious Democracy: The Theory of Religious Democracy was introduced in 1990’s in Iran
due to the necessity of fostering political development in the country and
revising the model of democratic government as opposed to foreign models to
particularly that of liberal democracy.
In 1990’s the theory was introduced by the executive branch of the
government of Iran during the presidency of Mr. Khatami. The supreme leader of
Iran Ayatullah Khameini elaborated the idea and explained why he believes in
religious democracy. According to him, religious democracy can be a model of
government that can be opposed to liberal democracy. After 1970s, the idea of Liberal
democracy gained popularity due to western patronage especially after the
adaptation of Liberal democracy by the European countries and they introduced
it as the best democracy in the world.
After the theory of Fukuyama’s “End of History” and Huntington’s “Clashes
of civilization” where they explained liberal democracy and tried to explain
the best democracy in the world is liberal democracy it gained popularity
everywhere.
The leader of Iran Ayatullah khameini explained Religious democracy
as an alternative of the Liberal democracy for the Muslim countries which means
if Muslim countries wants to have a kind
of democracy which is suitable to the situation of their countries, they can select this kind of democracy which
is religious one. Religious democracy is the religious form of democracy that
means no matter what religion or sect they belong to they can adopt this idea.
As this idea is particularly prescribed for Muslim nations, it can be applied
in both Shia and Sunni countries.
The theory of
Religious Democracy:
The theory is not of a compound nature and refers instead to a
single, simple fact according to which Islam recognizes a certain model of
democratic government.
In fact, we have two opinions here.
1. Religious democracy is a compound theory. It means Democracy
with Islam.
2. Religious democracy is a single theory. It means a kind of
democracy recognized by religion.
According to religious
democracy theory, these two terms are not combined together. As we know,
liberal democracy means democracy according to liberalism likewise religious
democracy is also democracy according to religion.
In Islamic texts, we can see
that there is a form of democracy recognized by Islam. In conclusion, we can
say that, this kind of democracy that is recognized by Islam is called
Religious Democracy[3].
The distinction between the
terms is about whether Democracy is according to Islam or Islam recognizes a
kind of Democracy. Here we say that Religious democracy according to Islam is
that, the kind of democracy that is recognized by Islam, and it is opponent to
liberal or social democracy.
Description:
Ayatullah Khameini explains that, apart from having a right to
establish a political system, people can participate in significant decision-makings.
Hence, they are fully recognized in making systems and decisions.
The difference
between Islamic republic and Religious democracy.
Republic means majority of the people have right to establish a
government. Democracy means people have the right to establish a government and
make laws at the same time. It means Democracy has both the power of forming a
government and making decision. In religious democracy as well, besides
establishing the political system, people can participate in significant decision-making.
Therefore, we can conclude that the people of Islamic republic of Iran, after
including the Religious democracy have both the power to form the political
system and making decision for their country.
Structure of this theory:
Religious Democracy has two main structures.
1.
People (People directly elects their
own representative)
(a)
President
(b)
Islamic Parliament
·
They are the experts of the society
and elected by the choice of people.
2.
Religion[4](
religious authorities who are representative of Islam )
(a)
Supreme spiritual leader(Waliye
Faqih)
(b)
Council of Islamic jurists
·
They are the experts of Islam. Even
if the people at any level elect them, they must qualify according to the Islamic
conditions and must have strong understanding of religion to lead the nation.
In practice, Iran does not have council of jurists and People in Iran elect the
council of guardian. The council selects the supreme leader who must have all
the qualification required by Islam. However, according to the theory of
religious democracy the council of jurists should do it.
(Although present day Iran has, the Islamic Republic form in
practice but it is proposed and suggested by the supreme leader that Religious
democracy to be adopted for better governance. Theoretically, there should be
two parliaments but we see only one parliament. )
The people are recognized once they establish the main institutions
like that of the leader, president and Islamic consultative assembly through
their vote. It means the role of the people here is as follow:
1.
Electing the leader
2.
Electing the President
3.
Electing the Islamic consultative
assembly.
Here, electing the Leader is done indirectly and electing the
president and the Islamic consultative assembly directly.
Religion would be fully manifested when religious institutions play
a key role in the process of legislation and implementation of the law as well
as supervision over the operation of the government and the rulers. It means
religion should have its role in as follow:
1.
Legislation
2.
Implementation
3.
Supervision
In the process of legislation, the council of Islamic Jurists has
the right to make laws and participate in the process of legislation. Waliye
Faqih has the right to implement the law and supervision over the operations of
the government (to check whether this government is according to the Sharia or
not). Therefore, we can conclude that these three are the main component of
this theory of Religious democracy.
Velayate faqih
vs Religious democracy
Although Velayate Faqih concept is a concept of Islamic political
ruling system but it has attributed to the Shia sect in particular. Therefore,
in the Sunni world Velayate Faqih concept has not gained any acceptance but the
need and necessity for a similar Islamic political system of governance has
been craving from the beginning of postmodern era. Even that Velayate Faqih has
successfully projected its potentiality in governing Iran and considered by the
Islamic political experts as the best Islamic political system for governance, the
Sunni scholars have rejected it for its Shia terms and ideology.
Religious democracy is not a Shia invention and therefore it can be
implemented in Sunni countries as a substitute for Liberal democracy. Religious
democracy is not opponent to Velayate Faqih but it has more acceptances in the
social context of the other Muslim nations. Velayate Faqih cannot be a model
for all of the muslim countries but this Religious democracy can. Although
Religious democracy is still a theory but it is suitable and feasible for all
the Muslim countries as it can easily replace Liberal democracy.
Prospect of
Religious democracy in Muslim world. Special focus of Bangladesh
Muslim world is a specific term that has various meaning in terms of
the defining scholars views but in modern geo-political sense it means the
Muslim majority countries or places no matter if the country is
constitutionally based on Islamic laws or not.
Religious democracy has every aspect of prosperity in the Muslim
world. We can see, so many Muslim nations struggling to implement Islamic rules
and regulations throughout the world. From North Africa to South Asia, Balkan Europe
to Fareast Asia , wherever the Muslim population is dominating they have an
urge to implement some Islamic laws. Sometimes it is in the form of inviting
towards Golbal Khilafah or a constitutional development based on Islamic jurisprudence.
There are some other forms as well, some of them are very active and some did
not get the popularity but still the urge for a religious type of governing
system is embalming throughout the Muslim nations.
Bangladesh has rich influence and history of religion. Majority of
the population always considers religion as the strongest part of identity.
Although it has shown secularist or liberalist approach for last couple of
decades but it is to be noted that United Nations considers Bangladesh as a
moderate Muslim democratic country.
History of
religious politics in bangladesh
Bangladesh consists of one of the largest Muslim population of the
earth. It has shown its Islamic political motives from the beginning of the
independent Nawabs in Moghul era. Its first independent Islamic identity was
recognized in 1905. Since then Bangladesh struggled to implement a Religious
political system.
The influence of Islamic discipline over Bangladeshi society is undeniable.
Therefore, our expectation is that, if this theory can be introduced to the
people with clear scholarly understanding and motivated leadership it can
easily replace the secular democracy.
In 1905, the partition of Bengal was performed due to the Muslim
uprising and their demand for a separate land of the Bengali Muslims. Bengali
Muslims always wanted to be ruled by their own Islamic laws. However, due to
the selfish industrialist and opportunist Muslim league and congress leadership,
this century old demand for a Muslim Bengal was hijacked and it created a moth
eaten and truncated Pakistan[5]
that was in every sense unscientific[6].
Bengali people and their demand were always misunderstood because
of the low voice. Therefore even after becoming a part of Pakistan Bengali
Muslim people were treated as not good enough to be a Muslim. The BETTER MUSLIM
idea propounded by the nationalist Pakistani media created a social hype that
emotionally changed the peoples choice to socialist ideology. Media biased by
middle eastern ideologies blames Bengali people for not being proper Muslim just
because they did not remain as a part of Pakistan. That is the reason
Bangladesh still now struggles to get out of the confusion whether socialism
and liberalism is an answer for their century old demand or it is a fertile
ground for a religious democracy and the people should strive for it.
How to
implement Religious Democracy in Bangladesh:
The simple idea of implementing any new thought is to
publicize it. Since Religious democracy is a new thought it needs scholarly
approach to make it popular. Same like any other ideas that succeeded before,
Religious democracy needs to be propagated and let people (who are striving for
a political Islamic government) know.
There are some Islamic political parties active in
Bangladesh. Jamaate islami Bangladesh, a sister concern of Jamaate Islami Pakistan,
which was set up by the same model of Ikhwanul muslimeen of Egypt is the largest Islamic political
party. Islamic Shashantantra Andolan, khelafat mazlish are also popular Islamic
movement. Along with these, some other parties like Tariqat sufi federation,
Zaker party etc. are also active.
Some underground parties (banned by the government for their
terrorist movements), like Hijbut tahrir, Harkatul jihad etc. are also present
in Bangladesh. DAESH is also active under various umbrellas and banners.[7]
Conclusion
The prospect of religious democracy in Bangladesh is very
high. There are Islamic scholars and Islam loving people who are in fact trying
to find an alternative to the current capitalist secular democratic form of the
government. Our discussion was about the Introduction of religious democracy and its implementation in the
Muslim world with a special prescription in the prospect of Bangladesh. Here we
have discussed everything about Religious democracy but it is completely a
hypothetical expectation that people of Bangladesh would accept this idea.
However, our expectation is not highly ambitious as the current political
situation and previous history of its Islamic inclination shows the prospect
very positive. Therefore if the idea is constructed according to the people’s
choice and mentality and by understanding the political and social factors, it
would be a matter of hope that this idea may show a winning result.
References:
[1]
wikipedia
2Oxford
English Dictionary
3 For further
studies on this issue, Professor Dr. Mir Ahmadi refers it to study the book
“Nazariye Mardom Salariye Deeni” written in persian.
4 By religion,
we mean Islam in this article.
5 Mohammad Ali
Jinnah exclaimed this famous quote after realizing the treacherous
6 The
separation from Pakistan and emergence of an independent Bangladesh is the
outcome of this unscientific partition of 1947.
7 My explanation
[1]
wikipedia
[2]
Oxford English Dictionary
[3] For
further studies on this issue, Professor Dr. Mir Ahmadi refers it to study the
book “Nazariye Mardom Salariye Deeni” written in persian.
[4] By
religion, we mean Islam in this article.
[5] Mohammad
Ali Jinnah exclaimed this famous quote after realizing the treacherous
[6] The
separation from Pakistan and emergence of an independent Bangladesh is the
outcome of this unscientific partition of 1947.
[7] I
have mentioned about these political parties to let my professor know about the
Islamic movements and activities people in Bangladesh are engaged with. It
shows that people are looking for an alternative to the current government
system, therefore, this Religious democracy could be a prospective form for the
people and it will gather larger crowd than the present ones. Due to sunni
majority and the influence of Saudi Wahabi doctrine religious people have
allergic reaction to the democratic system. People in Bangladesh are mainly two
types.
1.
Secular
2.
Religious
These two types also have different subtypes.
1.
Politically Secular people
with religious practice and belief. (Atheism
is not a familiar thought in Bangladesh. )
2.
Practicing Muslims with
misunderstood idea about democracy.
3.
Practicing Muslim with
inclination towards democracy.
It means, although the country is democratic and secular it
is still a Muslim country and the majority of the people can be convinced by
its religious manner and democratic style.
Religious democracy has good news for all the types of
people. In fact, it is a combination of religion and democracy and it replaces liberalism
that eliminates religion. If social and political experts on this Religious
democracy theory submits this thought to the people who are religious and are used
to with democracy, it can become the most popular idea very soon.
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