West has hijacked democracy in Muslim world: Anwar Ibrahim
Thursday, March 09, 2006Staff Report ISLAMABAD: The West has hijacked democracy in the Muslim world, said Anwar Ibrahim, the former Malaysian deputy prime minister, on Wednesday.He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Democracy in the Muslim World’ organised by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS). According to a press release, Ibrahim said that there should be rule of law on freedom of expression, free and fair elections, and independent judiciary in the Muslim world for the establishment of democracy.He said that there is no question of compatibility between democracy and Islam as Islam had introduced it long before during the time of caliphs. But later on, the monarchs and colonial rulers hijacked democracy from the Muslim world, he added. “After the colonial era, the Muslims were not allowed to choose the right kind of government for themselves because of the West’s interference. They did not allow democracy to flourish in the Muslim World. They supported dictators and corrupt leaders. Partly, the blame goes to our own society too which did not stop corrupt elements from hijacking democracy,” Ibrahim said. He said that Muslims were far behind other nations in the fields of education, economy, employment, quality of life, technology, and were involved in corruption, malpractices and intolerance. Ibrahim said that mere elections did not serve the purpose of democracy and there should be sound a institution to hold elections under strict laws.Referring to Pakistan, he said, “The foundation of Pakistan was a cyclonic revolution and a model of freedom and rule of law. But there are basic ills of poor governance, bribery, corruption and nepotism which need to be addressed”.He said that he wanted to engage with America in promoting democracy in the Muslim world but opposed their methods. “We do not need to take American or Western model of democracy as they have their own vested interests,” he added.Referring to the caricatures of Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), he said, “We must condemn these reprehensible acts as in Islam, the sanctity of life and property of an individual must be protected”. Earlier, General Khalid Rahman, the IPS director, opened the session and Senator SM Zafar introduced the guest and the topic. Zafar said that democracy is mandatory in Islam and the caliphs had established the true manifestation of democratic rule. During the concluding session, Senator Khurshid Ahmed thanked the speaker and the guests. He said that democracy should have permanent value framework with divine guidance.Senator Saadia Abbassi paid tribute to Anwar Ibrahim for his trials and tribulations during his six years solitary confinement
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