Global Muslim Voices on Islam – Democracy Compatibility and Co-existence: A Study of the Views of Sadek Sulaiman, Louay Safi, Radwan Masmoudi, and Muqtedar Khan

Abstract: Islam-democracy compatibility or Islamic democratic discourse – the relation between Islamic socio-political concepts and institutions and positive features and notions of modern democracy – has gained an impetus from the final decades of 20th century. Democracy in Islam is strongly debated, defined and discussed by the diversity of voices ranging from those who deny a connection between Islam and democracy to those who argue that the Islamic system of government contains a number of ‘concepts and values’ which are present in modern democracy. In this direction, this paper attempts to make an analysis of the views, arguments and observations of four most prominent modernist Muslim intellectuals – ‘Muslim Democrats’ – regarding Islam-democracy compatibility and co-existence. The views of scholars presented here include: Sadek Jawad Sulaiman, Louay M. Safi, Radwan A. Masmoudi, and M.A. Muqtedar Khan. It argues (among others) that more reflection, research, and (re) interpretation is required to reconcile the tenets of Islam with the modern notions of democracy, liberty, justice, equality, and human rights as the Islamic primary sources throw ample light and guidance on these concepts and values.