Democracy and Islam

Ran from May 9th 2006

Are there tensions between religion and democracy? What happens if there is a clash between particular religious values and wider liberal democratic principles like equality and individual freedom? Which values win out?

The first Democracy Series booklet confronts these issues with particular relevance to the alleged tensions between democracy and Islam. It raises a number of important points about the diversity in ideas and perspectives which exists among Muslims in Britain, and examines claims about the compatibility of the Islamic faith with democratic society.

Download and read the Democracy and Islam booklet.

We intend this piece to be a springboard for debate not only about Islam, but about the relationship between religion and democracy more widely. For example, certain forms of Christianity may also give rise to conflicts about the relationship between faith and democracy. We are keen to get your views on this crucial subject, and encourage you to take part in the online discussion.

  • Is it possible to have genuine democratic dialogue among groups whose beliefs fundamentally clash? For example, how might democratic dialogue realistically achieve a consensus between Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and Christians on issues that they disagree on?
  • What happens when secular states act in ways which clash with religious values? For example, should democratic states committed to freedom of speech allow the publication of cartoons that offend religious groups? Should they permit novelists, playrights, artists, or poets to challenge religious beliefs in the name of art?
  • Can religion enrich democracy? In what ways has religion in fact contributed to the development of democratic government?

previous discussion

Religion vs Democracy

Posted by zinnikal on 10/05/2006 - 20:54

Isuppose I would be classed as an ordinary member of the British public with a keen interest in the debate under discussion. I support no religious belief but the right to hold such beliefs.

For this latter reason I express my thanks to Professor Afshar for her lucid description of Islam in its many forms and, most particularly, for her clear definitions of Islamic concepts and terms used in her article. At least now I have some understanding of the intracacies of Islamic faith(s)

Indeed, I should like to thank all those who contributed to the Democracy pamphlet. They have confirmed views that I have held for many years. These are that religion per se should play no part in influencing the role and function of democratic government and that churches should become places of reflection, not places for the adulation or worship of earlier writers or non-existent God.

Consequently, I feel that the conflict between Islamic and other faiths and democracy is far too great to serve any useful purpose in any debate.

I may use the principle of democratic free speech to change my views as this debate progresses.

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