Islam Can Vote, if We Let It
By SAAD EDDIN IBRAHIM

CAIRO: IN last month’s Saudi Arabian municipal elections, the nation’s first experiment in real democracy, many were worried because Islamic activists dominated their secular rivals. Indeed, we have seen a similar trend in Turkey, Morocco and Iraq in the last few years; and we can expect it in the coming Lebanese, Palestinian and Egyptian elections. Yet, while this Islamic trend can no longer be ignored, neither should it be a source of panic to Western policy makers and pundits.

Based on my 30 years of empirical investigation into these parties – including my observations of fellow inmates during the 14 months I spent in an Egyptian prison – I can testify to a significant evolution on the part of political Islam. In fact, I believe we may be witnessing the emergence of Muslim parties that are truly democratic, akin to the Christian Democrats in Western Europe after World War II.

To understand this evolution, one must look at how the Islamists rose to such prominence. Autocratic regimes in the Middle East have for decades allowed little public space to those who would build civil societies; no freedom of speech, assembly or association. The only space for people to congregate without harassment by the secret police was the mosque. Thus, unwittingly, the autocrats contributed to the growth of the theocrats, who became their mirror images.

I missed this New York Times op-ed, but now want to call your attention to it.

Saad Eddin Ibrahim seems to be on the same page as Khaled Batarfi, whose article, “Who Won the Elections” was noted earlier this month.

The point to both articles is that the election of conservative Muslims to office is not a bad thing in itself. Once elected, they have to produce: stirring rhetoric may get you elected, but it won’t keep you in office.

The admittedly small steps several Arab states are taking are important. They provide a platform around which individuals can rally voters. But that platform puts them in public view. Unlike purely appointed government officials, the elected ones can be and will be held responsible for their political successes or failures.

Hurry to read the NYT piece before it slides into the pay-to-view archives.

[Thanks to Greg Djerejian of Belgravia Dispatch for the link.]