The Republic of Tea
Some thoughts on democracy...
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
I’ve come to accept as natural, the existence of secular political leaders paying meaningless lip service to Islam, their hypocrisy or their blatant flouting of our Way. Because in many respects its a reflection of how Pakistanis see themselves. Why would our leaders be any different? On the other hand, Islamic leaders would know that they are accountable not only to a people and their fickle judgments, but more so to Allah and his eternal commands.
Maulana Mawdudi is no doubt the first Islamic democrat in the modern sense, but even he was wary of a potential problem in Islamic democratization, that is its possible contradiction with the sovereignty of God. But his concept of a political party as a vanguard to Islamic change is, I think, different from the way it is being practiced today. Mawdudi would say that the party is responsible not only for soliciting democratic support, but also actively promoting Islamic thought for real social change.
Today's Islamic parties use annual and periodic political gatherings as an important way to garner support. Because of this many people have this false impression of widespread Islamization, or that we are somehow on the brink of a revolution. Not so. The crowds and large rallies are commonplace for political parties of any kind in Pakistan. People will gather to listen to anyone grandstanding with profound indictments against authoritarian power. What is unfortunate is that such a forum has never been used towards real progress, not in modern Pakistan. And the conformity of Islamic parties to this same general pattern is an indication that Mawdudi's blueprints are not being adhered to.
These parties need only to convince their followers to live by the Book. To practice regular prayers and give regular charity. To make Allah(swt) supreme in every aspect of their lives. And if change is brought about in this way, asking for the vote may not even be necessary. Just as politicians are a reflection of Pakistanis today, so too will honest and God-fearing Muslim leaders be a reflection of Pakistanis tomorrow. But why then is all this so hard? Maybe there's a subconscious fear that if the truth is told, there will be no one there to listen. But Islam isn't cable news. And still there again is that possible contradiction.
Maulana Mawdudi is no doubt the first Islamic democrat in the modern sense, but even he was wary of a potential problem in Islamic democratization, that is its possible contradiction with the sovereignty of God. But his concept of a political party as a vanguard to Islamic change is, I think, different from the way it is being practiced today. Mawdudi would say that the party is responsible not only for soliciting democratic support, but also actively promoting Islamic thought for real social change.
Today's Islamic parties use annual and periodic political gatherings as an important way to garner support. Because of this many people have this false impression of widespread Islamization, or that we are somehow on the brink of a revolution. Not so. The crowds and large rallies are commonplace for political parties of any kind in Pakistan. People will gather to listen to anyone grandstanding with profound indictments against authoritarian power. What is unfortunate is that such a forum has never been used towards real progress, not in modern Pakistan. And the conformity of Islamic parties to this same general pattern is an indication that Mawdudi's blueprints are not being adhered to.
These parties need only to convince their followers to live by the Book. To practice regular prayers and give regular charity. To make Allah(swt) supreme in every aspect of their lives. And if change is brought about in this way, asking for the vote may not even be necessary. Just as politicians are a reflection of Pakistanis today, so too will honest and God-fearing Muslim leaders be a reflection of Pakistanis tomorrow. But why then is all this so hard? Maybe there's a subconscious fear that if the truth is told, there will be no one there to listen. But Islam isn't cable news. And still there again is that possible contradiction.
posted by doodpathi, 7:09 PM
