reconciliation islam democracy and the west

The author feels pity that with the passage of time, many Muslim societies have turned intolerant while the Western nations have become more accommodating and tolerant. Through out in the book, she elucidates things both from Quran and her experiences from Pakistan. Bhutto argues that along with preaching tolerance of other religions, the Quran also acknowledges that salvation can be achieved in all monotheistic religions. She justifies her stand by qouting the Quranic injunction that suicide bombing is by no means acceptable in Islam and in the eyes of God. Third chapter, Islam and Democracy: History and Practice, deals with democratic norms and values in Islamic context.

In the second place, the imposition of the obligation on the community rahter than on the individual made possible the employment of Jihad as a community and, consequently, a state instrument. In the first place, it means that the duty need not necessarily be fulfiled by all the believers. She quotes, “Jihad is a collective obligation of the whole Muslim community (fard kifaya).” According to Bhutto, imposition of the obligation duty on the community rather than on individual is very significant and involves at least two important implications. She tells that Jihad is not among five pillars of Islam (except in Khariji theory). After that, she throws light on Jihad and its kinds with the help of Quranic injuctions. However, today this religion has been misinterpreted and misrepresented by the extremists. According to her, majority of Muslims in the world embrace a forbearing and loving raligion. In the second chapter, the Battle within Islam: Democracy versus Dictatorship, moderation versus Extremism, Bhutto emphasises that Islam is a universal religion. Thus, Islamic and Western democratic systems are compatible. There is no any kind of negation of democracy in Islam. Similarly, in the Western democracy consultation is the main essential in any political system. She points out that Islamic democracy consits of notion of consultation. Bhutto is of the view that war against international terrorism coincided with the suspension of democracy in Pakistan. Her argument is that dictatorship breeds extremism.

By lifting her hands in prayer, she thanked Allah Almighty in reverence. While putting her foot on the land of pure people-Pakistan-after a long time, tears started pouring from her eyes and she was unable to stop them. First chapter, the Path Back, starts with an emotional arrival of Benazir Bhutto at Quaid-i-Azam International Airport, Karachi, on October 18, 2007, after eight years exile. The author has two aims to write this book: first, she wants an understanding whether the democrattic and autonomous institutions can grow in the Muslim world, and whether Islam and democracy are equally exclusive or not second, she wants to analyse the existence of clash of ideals and values in different groups within Islam.

Reconciliation islam democracy and the west