Islam and Democratization in Asia By Shiping Hua

not to use the debate between the similarities and dissimilarities of shura and democracy as a surrogate for concluding whether democracy and Islam are compatible. There is more in Islam than shura when it comes to reflecting over the nature of good governance and best polities.

Conclusion

There is much in Islamic sources and Islamic tradition that is favorable to making democracy the vehicle for delivering the products of Islamic governance, such as social justice, economic welfare, and religious freedoms. There is, however, a need for more rigorous, intimidation-free and widespread discussions and debates within Muslim communities on the need for and nature of good self-governance. The barriers to democracy in the Muslim world are not limited to narrow interpretations of Islam or the fascist tendencies of some of the contemporary Islamic movements. Existing social-political conditions, failure of states, and the negative role of foreign powers have also contributed to an environment that does not encourage democracy. I am convinced that Islam is not a barrier to but a facilitator of democracy, justice, and tolerance in the Muslim world. But for that to happen, Muslims must revisit their sources and re-understand them in the light of contemporary realities and complexities.