Western countries more Islamic than Muslim-majority nations, says scholar
Many Western countries, including Canada, are actually more Islamic than Muslim-majority countries, an academic has said.
Director of the Centre for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver, Professor Dr Nader Hashemi, went further to say that Canada was more Islamic than the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) member countries.
"Canada practises freedom of religion, freedom of assembly and boasts an excellent healthcare system," Nader said during a symposium at the Renaissance Hotel in Kuala Lumpur today.
The symposium, entitled "Islam, Secularism and Liberal Democracy" was co-organised by the Islamic Renaissance Front and Penang Institute.
This, he explained was because Canada practises the actual values which Islam preaches.
"Sadly, these values are non-existent in many Muslim-majority countries," Nader said.
"Given a choice, many Canadian Muslims prefer living in Canada than in Muslim-majority countries where they risk losing these qualities."
Nader said in order for Muslims to migrate from secularism to modernity, it was imperative to have a healthy, vibrant and democratic political system in place.
"Free and fair elections go without saying, it should be fairly contested and the voters must be guaranteed that the ballot count will represent the popular vote," he said.
He said that an environment that allows freedom should be cultivated to enable the people to express themselves without the fear of being hauled off to jail if they cross a red line.
Nader argued that a climate of fear and repression could undermine the very foundation of political reforms, bargaining and negotiations.
In recent weeks, Putrajaya had come under increasing criticism both locally and abroad at its increasing use of the Sedition Act 1948.
Numerous opposition lawmakers have fallen afoul of the Sedition Act, along with a myriad of other individuals from various backgrounds.
The latest opposition politician whom Putrajaya has targeted under the Sedition Act is none other than PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The sedition probe against Anwar has drawn criticism as many have questioned why it took three years before investigations are carried out against Anwar.
However, Nader admitted that the ruling party or coalition would be reluctant to embark on such reforms for fear that their stranglehold on power would be loosened.
"It is difficult to build such a free society, free of repression and oppression. The ruling party would prefer to buy votes rather than give up power willingly.
"Muslim societies have to face challenges, in which financially-strong political groups manipulate Muslims into following their ideology.
"If you do not recognise democracy and human rights, then it is difficult for the different schools of thought within Islam to reconcile with twin tolerances."
Nader explained that twin tolerances were the minimum boundaries which both the state and religious forces should recognise.
"A key trade-off of twin tolerances is that religious groups cannot veto the decisions of a democratically elected government and state institutions cannot ban religious groups."
Nader added that the concept of an Islamic State, which was being fought for in the Middle East, was not the means to an end.
"The establishment of an Islamic State is merely the precursor to establishing a global Islamic State," Nader said.-TMI
Director of the Centre for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver, Professor Dr Nader Hashemi, went further to say that Canada was more Islamic than the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) member countries.
"Canada practises freedom of religion, freedom of assembly and boasts an excellent healthcare system," Nader said during a symposium at the Renaissance Hotel in Kuala Lumpur today.
The symposium, entitled "Islam, Secularism and Liberal Democracy" was co-organised by the Islamic Renaissance Front and Penang Institute.
This, he explained was because Canada practises the actual values which Islam preaches.
"Sadly, these values are non-existent in many Muslim-majority countries," Nader said.
"Given a choice, many Canadian Muslims prefer living in Canada than in Muslim-majority countries where they risk losing these qualities."
Nader said in order for Muslims to migrate from secularism to modernity, it was imperative to have a healthy, vibrant and democratic political system in place.
"Free and fair elections go without saying, it should be fairly contested and the voters must be guaranteed that the ballot count will represent the popular vote," he said.
He said that an environment that allows freedom should be cultivated to enable the people to express themselves without the fear of being hauled off to jail if they cross a red line.
Nader argued that a climate of fear and repression could undermine the very foundation of political reforms, bargaining and negotiations.
In recent weeks, Putrajaya had come under increasing criticism both locally and abroad at its increasing use of the Sedition Act 1948.
Numerous opposition lawmakers have fallen afoul of the Sedition Act, along with a myriad of other individuals from various backgrounds.
The latest opposition politician whom Putrajaya has targeted under the Sedition Act is none other than PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The sedition probe against Anwar has drawn criticism as many have questioned why it took three years before investigations are carried out against Anwar.
However, Nader admitted that the ruling party or coalition would be reluctant to embark on such reforms for fear that their stranglehold on power would be loosened.
"It is difficult to build such a free society, free of repression and oppression. The ruling party would prefer to buy votes rather than give up power willingly.
"Muslim societies have to face challenges, in which financially-strong political groups manipulate Muslims into following their ideology.
"If you do not recognise democracy and human rights, then it is difficult for the different schools of thought within Islam to reconcile with twin tolerances."
Nader explained that twin tolerances were the minimum boundaries which both the state and religious forces should recognise.
"A key trade-off of twin tolerances is that religious groups cannot veto the decisions of a democratically elected government and state institutions cannot ban religious groups."
Nader added that the concept of an Islamic State, which was being fought for in the Middle East, was not the means to an end.
"The establishment of an Islamic State is merely the precursor to establishing a global Islamic State," Nader said.-TMI
