Can Iran Be A Precursor To Major Changes in the Muslim Wordl?

In Cairo, a U.S. President owned up to a well known fact that in 1953 the United States played a role in overthrowing Mohammad Mosaddeq, the then democratically elected leader of Iran. Over half a century later, following the botched 2009 Presidential elections in Iran, it is no longer America denying Iranians the right to be represented by popular choice. It is no longer America playing puppeteer. Ironically, the ones pulling the strings are those who have most vociferously decried America's ungodly interference in their region.

It is hard to prognosticate how events will unfold in Iran. Will there be any spillover effects in the rest of the Muslim world? Although change has not yet fully blossomed, the atmosphere is pregnant with expectations. The battle for the future of Iran is emblematic of the broader struggle across many Muslim majority societies. At the core lies two questions: will democracy finally gain a firm foothold and what role will religion play in their political future?

In Iran, both sides have claimed religious justification for their actions. Ayatollah Khameni invoked his religious authority to issue a Nixonian edict that, if the Ayatollah says that the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmedinejad is legitimate, then it must be so and it is Islamic. The opposition candidate Mir Hussein Moussavi also invoked Islam's call for justice echoing the Quranic sentiment, "Stand firmly for justice as witnesses to God, even if it is against yourself." (4:135).

However, literal reading of religious texts alone cannot provide all the necessary answers in this struggle for legitimacy and fairness. The issue of state-governance is not discussed in great details in Islam's revealed text -- The Quran. In verses 42:38 and 3:159, the Quran provides only basic principles, in that governance should be based on "mutual consultation," or "shura." How this "shura" is to be conducted is left wide open for interpretation. Scholars of Islam contend that "shura" contains three essential elements -- equal rights for all citizens, majority rule for public policy and the promotion of justice and human dignity. The degree to which a government is "Islamic" and "democratic" will depend on how well they rank on these three elements of "shura."

The unfolding saga in Iran has not drawn much criticism from other countries in the region, for understandable reasons. In the struggle of ordinary Iranians, the other authoritarian regimes in the region, foresee an existential challenge to their own authority. If Iran "falls" to democracy, then can others be far behind? Too much support for Mousavi, and his success, is likely to give rise to similar popular movements across the region, which not only threatens the ruling elites but also makes America uncomfortable with the prospect of dealing with unknown actors who may emerge out of this quest for democratization. Too little support will result in the unsustainable continuation of the status quo. This is the dilemma facing President Obama.

Today's Iran highlights the combustible mix of religion and politics. Muslims do not doubt the veracity of the Quran being the word of God. However, the interpretation of the divine words is entirely human and thus, its translation into practical law is open to multitudes of understandings. Using the power of the state to resolve such differences only creates discord, undermining both the state of faith and faith in the state. Historically, many Muslim jurists opted to stay out of government in order to retain their independence and credibility, thus making an argument favoring the separation of mosque and state.

Although the majority of Muslims in countries like Egypt, Pakistan or Jordan today favor the introduction of Shariah, they do so because the current secular laws have failed to deliver justice to the people. Their hope is that Shariah will require, in the words of Noah Fledman (author of The Fall and Rise of the Islamic State), "all human beings -- and all human governments -- are subject to justice under the law." Muslims are yearning for justice that they have been denied for so long, often due to outside interference but increasingly due to internal failures of Muslim majority states.

The onus for change is not only on those most affected, but also on Muslims living under democracies. In particular, Muslims in America and Europe can play a more assertive role in prodding Muslim majority nations to build civil societies whose governments are truly representative, whose judiciaries are respectful of the rights of all people and whose legislature fosters positive development of the material and the spirit. A success story in Iran can very well augur a sea change across the Muslim world. The question is how to be supporting of the struggle ordinary Iranians are undertaking without appearing to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation? It is a delicate balancing act requiring patient diplomacy by governments and peaceful civic engagement by ordinary citizens.

Comments

[Squaker]

Don't discount the possibility that it could be negative for Iran and the muslim world
There is growing pushback to the idea that Ammadenijad lost the election.
And If they did vote for him then the common people will view these protesters in a negative light not a positive one. The protesters will only have resonance if the majority of the people believe the election was stolen, and while in America we think so, I'm not sure the Iranians are as convinced. And I'm not so convinced its true either

As far as the rest of the muslim world. I see two negative possibilities
1. Realization by all the dictators that we support that they should suppress protests and political speech more; And furthermore the unwillingness to move towards elections since they would view them as potentially disruptive
2. Increased Suni-Shia rivalry due to all the anti-iranian propaganda being fed to the arab world (and western for that matter). And in Iran, suspicions of foreign involvement in destabilization of their country is widespread and could likely grow

[JGatsby]

Thanks for at least mentioning the Shah. However, you mention him only to dismiss him and then go on to make the same claims that its all the fault of the people of the middle east and their leaders. The fact of the matter is the Shah was not an isolated event. After the second world war when the middle east was starting to break free of colonialism there were very strong SECULAR DEMOCRATIC movements not just in Iran but in Egypt and elsewhere. The US systematically destroyed these movements and nurtured Islamic fundamentalism as a defense against communism (of course by communism they meant any movement including democratic ones that wanted to own some of their own oil resources). That is why the mid-east looks the way it does today. That and the fact that to this day the US still funnels billions of tax dollars to the "defense" establishments of countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel. Until we stop funding the oppressors the mideast won't have real change. It would cause turmoil for a while but the ultimate result would be better for everyone except Exon and Shell.

[Ozarks]

Your statement : "Although the majority of Muslims in countries like Egypt, Pakistan or Jordan today favor the introduction of Shariah, they do so because the current secular laws have failed to deliver justice to the people" is quite hollow given "Shariah" the mullahs have imposed on Iran. I doubt anyone in Egypt, Pakistan or Jordan would relish the imposition of your alleged Iranian type "Sharian" over secular laws in Egypt, Pakistan or Jordan where people are not being shot in the streets because of a protest of a "rigged" election.
The very name "Supreme Leader", a purported infallible unelected head of State shows the arrogance of "Shariah" law. Once Iran's mullah's reign goes into the toilet there will be a sea change of opinion about the veracity of Shariah alleged "Rule of Law". It will be viewed for what it is--- a big joke.

[RedDogBear]

"would relish the imposition of your alleged Iranian type "Sharian" over secular laws in Egypt ... where people are not being shot in the streets because of a protest of a "rigged" election. "

Are you f*ing kidding?

"Egyptian plain-clothes police beat up demonstrators in central Cairo - in some cases groping women protesters - as Egyptians voted over constitutional changes that would theoretically allow more than one candidate to stand for president....The police attacked opposition demonstrators in front of tourists and journalists or stood aside to let pro-Mubarak mobs assault the protesters, watching from the side of the street as Egyptian citizens assaulted Egyptian citizens. Members of the opposition Kifaya movement - it means "Enough!" in English - sought protection from the Cairo police but a senior officer ordered his men to withdraw and leave the protesters to their fate."

http://www.counterpunch.org/fisk05272005.html

[hpiraste]

Dr. Parvez, thank you for your time to write about the freedom lovers in Iran.

You have made several good points and at the same time have raised the question as how do we support the Iranian people struggle for freedom & democracy?

Here is one way that people in our community can get engaged. As one our local friends here in Jacksonville wrote: "The time has come for us to show our solidarity with the rest of the World against the atrocities enforced upon the Iranian People. As we bearing witness to the round the clock news streaming from the battered streets of Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad and other major cities, tens of thousands of Iranians are being beaten and lives are being lost (19 confirmed so far), simply for asking for the voices to be heard and votes to be counted.

We would like to join other Freedom Loving World Citizens by gathering in front of the City of Jacksonville City Hall, 117 W. Duval Street, Jacksonville, Fl, 32202, Thursday June 25th, 4-6 PM, in a peaceful, non-political and non-religious protest, and simply condemn this act of cruelty against humanity.

Please forward this Email to all of your friends, colleagues, neighbors and alike who cherish human life and freedom of speech, and ask them to join us this Thursday."

[mergina]

WITH THE HELP OF ITS STRONG WOMEN, ABSOLUTELY.