Since the start of the Arab uprisings in 2011 the discussion of whether democracy can coexist with Islam has been reiterated throughout the media.

Many failed to believe in the prospect of an Islamic, democratic system after seeing violence on the streets of the Middle East.

Other recent events have also forced the world to ask this question. The fatal shooting of 15 year old Pakistani Malala, an avid advocate of women’s rights to education questioned the ideology of the Taliban, a militia following a strict form of Islam.

Likewise, the Saudi ban on women driving and working in some industrial areas as well as their ban on protesting also breaches the core concepts of a conventional democracy.

The uproar in response to the anti-Islam film which in some cases turned violent has likewise questioned the idea of freedom of expression and whether Islam can handle this area of democracy.

With controversial issues such as women’s rights, education, social justice and freedom now back in the spotlight; we ask whether or not Islam accommodates the concept of ‘democracy’.

This week’s Islam and Life asks: Can Islam and democracy coexist?

Source: PressTV