Process: Ghannoushi
source:
http://www.radianceweekly.com/report.php?content_id=1812&issue_id=100&issuedate=2008-03-16&title=Use-Democratic-Possibilities-Involve-in-Political-Process-Ghannoushi&topic=Vedanti039s-Remarks-about-Sonia-PM-Generate-Political-Heat
Use Democratic Possibilities, Involve in Political
Process: Ghannoushi
Sheikh Rashid al Ghannoushi, the renowned Islamic
thinker, has called upon Muslims to make use of the
democratic possibilities of the pluralistic society
and participate in the political process. The fact
that power and the community have so far proceeded on
two different paths has brought great loss to Muslims,
he said. Sheikh Ghannoushi was delivering the
inaugural address at a seminar on "Islam in the New
World," held as part of the Convocation of Al Jamia al
Islamiya at Santapuram, Kerala.
"Taking part in electoral politics makes it possible
to influence decision-making forces. It is indeed
better to be part of the decision-making process than
to keep from power. At a time when democracy had
elements of profanity and irreligiosity in it,
scholars had reason to be afraid that democracy might
contaminate the Islamic ideology. But in the new world
there is no room for such apprehension any more since
Islam is strong enough to withstand such elements. At
the same time, the West does not encourage
democratisation of Muslim countries. It takes this
attitude because it is afraid that in a democratic
set-up Islam will only grow," he said.
Ghannoushi pointed out that the Islamic world has
demonstrated the meaninglessness of the propaganda
that technology and modern science are alien to Islam.
Evidently, it is possible to acquire technology while
being loyal to the faith.
Ghannoushi urged that jihad should not be used to
tarnish the image of Islam. Jihad is meant for the
fight against colonialism and for struggles for
freedom. Islam is an ideology that respects pluralism.
In a country like India, where freedom exists, there
is no scope for jihad. Muslim organisations must
resolve their mutual conflicts through compromise, and
facilitate unity. Even the European Union could bring
together 35 countries. Ghannoushi asserted that
Islamic renascence would be impossible without
accommodating women.
Former Education Minister of Kerala E T Muhammad
Basheer, Nadwatul Mujahideen General Secretary Husain
Madavoor, KNM Secretary Kunhimuhammad Parappur,
Madhyamam Editor O Abdurrahman, former Ameer
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Chancellor of the Jamia Dr.
M. Abdul Haq Ansari, and Member of Jamaat-e-Islami
Hind Central Advisory Council T K Abdullah also spoke
at the function.
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