by Dr. Muqtedar Khan
The Daily Star Lebanon

Story Summary I was moved by the promise of Mursi’s presidency, and what it means for Islam and democracy – a promise that many Arabs and other Muslims also believe in.

Many Muslim American scholars like Dr. Khaled Abou el-Fadl at the University of California, Los Angeles; Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina at George Mason University and myself have for over a decade made the case that Islam and democracy are compatible, and that a genuine implementation of Islamic values requires democratization.

While many in the Arab and Muslim world are optimistic about Mursi’s election, there are many – including Egyptians, and some in the United States and Europe – who are skeptical about Mursi’s promises of equality, and concerned that he might try to bring about an Islamic state.

Yet much of what is happening in Egypt demonstrates that Islam and democracy are compatible. Mursi has repeatedly stated that what he and Egyptians seek is a civil, not an Islamic state – one that will treat all its citizens equally, men and women, Muslim and non-Muslim.

Mursi shared his mainstream understanding of Islam and Egypt with us, arguing that Islam respects freedom of religion.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2012/Oct-26/192768-democracy-and-equality-at-the-heart-of-islamic-revival.ashx##ixzz2AibG1fsL
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)