Open societies make good Muslims<\/p>\n
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
To be a good Muslim, it is far more virtuous and valuable to be
\nin an open society, instead of living in a closed society where
\npeople are forced to follow the dictates of the religion, a
\nprominent Thai Muslim scholar says.<\/p>\n
Surin Pitsuwan, a former Thai foreign minister, said here on
\nTuesday that every human being must be responsible for their own
\nconduct and exercise free will.<\/p>\n
\"In the teachings of the Koran and Hadiths, there is always
\nroom for human beings to take charge of their own affairs. This
\nis an issue of accountability, responsibility, participation, as
\nwell as individual and collective obligations,\" he said on the
\nsidelines of a discussion on Islam and democracy in Southeast
\nAsia, which was sponsored by the International Center for Islam
\nand Pluralism (ICIP).<\/p>\n
Democracy, he said, demands that every person is aware of that
\nresponsibility, participation and contribution.<\/p>\n
\"Prophet Muhammad is a model of the perfect human being for
\nevery Muslim. We have to try to approximate that by taking our
\nresponsibility seriously, which can only be fulfilled in an open
\nsociety,\" Surin said.<\/p>\n
The aspect of secularism is therefore necessary in this era of
\nmodernity and globalization, he added.<\/p>\n
\"(But) total separation between religion and state, like what
\nexists in Europe won't work here (in the region). It's not
\nsecularism in the sense that you have no consideration for
\nreligion, but in the sense that every religion is equal and
\nprotected under the law,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In Thailand, Surin said, secularism was a necessity for
\nminorities to play a role in the society.<\/p>\n
\"For the Muslim minority, its not a choice of whether or not
\nthere is an Islamic state. Let the majority rule, but let the
\nminority take a role as well. Every society must deal with social
\ndeviance, minorities who deviate from the majority.\"<\/p>\n
ICIP chairman Syafii Anwar highlighted in his paper the
\ngrowing number of Muslim politicians and activists who had
\nchanged their responses and shifted strategies concerning the
\ndemocratic system.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, challenges and problems still exist, as revealed
\nby a Freedom House survey in 2002, as among Muslim countries,
\nonly 11 out of 47 states (23 percent) could be grouped as
\ndemocratic states, with their governments elected democratically.<\/p>\n
The survey also showed that there was a \"democracy deficit\" in
\ncertain Muslim states controlled by authoritarian regimes.<\/p>\n
Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi once confirmed that many
\ngovernments in Islamic states have manipulated religion as
\njustification for their tyranny and despotism, practicing
\nauthoritarianism and condoning human rights violations in the
\nname of Islam and holy struggle.<\/p>\n
\"Not only is democratization a must and precondition of a
\nmodern and civilized world, but it is in line with the spirit and
\npurposes of sharia, that is to uphold a just society,\" Syafii
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
With the challenges of radical movements that hamper
\ndemocracy, Surin said that a long process of education, social
\ntransformation and empowerment, as well as leadership was
\nnecessary to create an open society.<\/p>\n
\"Pesantren (Islamic boarding school) must realize these
\nchallenges and transform their mindset and mentality. We can't be
\ntoo dogmatic or too monopolistic in our approaches. But I think
\nthe challenge of globalization has made the period more
\ncompressed, more urgent,\" said Surin.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that, in Indonesia, the two largest Muslim
\norganizations -- Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah -- have already
\ngiven up the idea of establishing an Islamic state.<\/p>\n
\"I believe democracy in Indonesia has created its own
\ncorrective mechanism.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/open-societies-make-good-muslims-1447893297",
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