Without going too deep into the subject, a fully-fledged Islamic Democracy guarantees equal and full rights to all citizens whether believers or non-believers. The Quran states that "There is no compulsion in religion, the right path is henceforth distinct from error". Therefore, in a truly Islamic Democracy, all citizens are allowed to practice their religions freely without any compulsion, and yes that includes inter-marriage. As head of the household, the husband provides leadership for the family. A Muslim woman therefore does not follow the leadership of someone who does not share her faith and values and that is one of her rights.

On the question of Democracy, this is nothing new to Muslims. The first constitution during the prophet’s life was the Charter of Medina which was drawn by Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) 500-600 years before the Magna Carta. It laid out a federal role over the tribes. It was a pact signed by the Prophet and the main non-Muslim tribes, some Pagans and Christians, but mostly Jews. This charter became a way of life for the citizens of Medina. The following is a comparison between the Charter of Medina and the US Constitution by using a few examples from the time of the Prophet Muhammad’s life:

Right to equality before law. It established equality, where it said all citizens of Medina were equal.

Due process of law. One may not punish someone by guilt association.
Minority Rights. The charter forbids giving any advantage to someone influential in executing punishments.

Freedom of speech. People were free to provide consultation and criticism to the extent that free discussion was encouraged through ijtihad (interpretation of the Quran).

Bill of Rights. Hilf ul Fudool or a covenant was signed by Prophet Muhammad to protect those who are weak and to make sure that business dealings were conducted in all fairness.

Right to vote. Women as a minority had the right to vote and women of Medina voted for the Prophet.

Socio-economic structure was developed to maintain equality through zakat (charity) system where 2.5% of the total savings had to pay to help the needy and improve the standard of living for all.

Right to religious freedom. Where the Jewish tribes were allowed to live according to their own rules and were not required to follow the rules of Islam. Christian minorities in Muslim society have always had access to wine (which they need for their sacrament), despite the fact that Islamic law prohibits. Thus, there was respect for diversity in religions and cultures as the Quran mentions, We have made you into nations and tribes so that ye may understand each other and not despise each other. Verily the most honored among you is one that is most righteous. Prophet Muhammad posed no religious test in the Medina Covenant. The Jews and Christians have held high positions in Muslim governments. While the American restriction is one of geography, the Islamic restriction is one of declared commitment to the source of the law.

You must now be thinking "so what happened to Islamic Democracy since the time of Prophet Muhammad (Peach Be Upon Him)?". Good question and there are various causes for the decline of democracy after the Prophet such as for example:

Differences arose among successors of the Prophet. (The Prophet did not assign a successor during his lifetime but left it to the people to decide their leader, thus setting an example (Sunnah).
People who were not pious took power and rulers went against the Islamic doctrine and politics began to suppress religions, rather than religion suppressing politics.

Long history of colonialism was prevalent around the Muslim world where colonial powers chose weak leader who acted more as puppets than true leaders. European colonial rule and postindependence governments headed by military officers, ex-military men, and monarchs have contributed to a legacy in which political participation and the building of democratic institutions are of little concern.
Colonialism also led to the reform in the education system where Arabic and Quran were eradicated from the schools. Thus people lacked the knowledge of the Quran and were denied to engage in ijtihad (process of interpreting the Quran).

Lack of knowledge from the Quran and Sunnah led to misleading information that was more cultural than religious. (Women began to be oppressed, rulers became dictators, and inequality and corruption soon became the rule of the land).

The misconception that Islam is against democracy has its roots in the history of Muslim dictators who did not want to awaken the people to the truth about Islam. (Mughuls in India, Abbasid in Baghdad, and the Turks were all dynastic rulers not real rulers based on the principles described in the Quran & Sunnah.

Lack of successful democracies today has made it even harder for the Muslim countries to return to the true democratic and Islamic governments of the past.

On the question of Integration in sports, Islam actually encourages sports and physical activity for all. The Hadiths mention Horse Riding, Archery, Swimming, Sprinting, Wrestling etc. Islam however does not allow matches or games that involve both sexes, in a way that opens channels for seduction, temptation and corruption. Some reasons for the poor performance in sports among Islamic nations is that sports are considered an indulgence rather than an important diversion in Muslim Culture. Muslims participate more often in individual than team sports. Muslim women are almost entirely absent from competition (due to religious traditions concerning dress, physical contact, and gender roles).

On the question of Common Ground, there are many as deduced from various recent gallup polls. Muslims are just as concerned about the daily essentials and local issues as everyone else. These include issues such as the rise of gun and knife crime, the increase in gang-related crime, banking, human rights, poor education amongst the youth, high unemployment and poor health, and ofcourse the love of God.

Integration requires accommodation and adjustment to certain social norms. The larger society should seek to overcome the fear of difference generally, and be prepared to accept that their way is not always the best way or the only way.

Andromeda - I have seen some of your other posts on various other sites and I agree with you without contention. I actually do not regard you as kufaar as a kufaar is one that covers the truth (cover is derived from the Arabic word kufaar!) and you are actually exposing the truth which is a good thing.

On the subject of handling Alcohol at check-outs, this is entirely permissible as one is only performing their job. This is all about how one interprets the following hadith (Tirmidhi): "Truly, God has cursed khamr (intoxicant) and has cursed the one who produces it, the one for whom it is produced, the one who drinks it, the one who serves it, the one who carries it, the one for whom it is carried, the one who sells it, the one who earns from the sale of it, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought". As you can imagine, some people will have extreme interpretations and some more moderate. The rule of thumb in this case is to always fall in between. Peace.

Ahmed

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