Transcript http://www.uwyo.edu/sward/2012/summer%202012/shanghai.university/Democracy%20and%20Religion%20in%20the%20Modern%20Middle%20East-SHANGHAI.ppt

DEMOCRACY AND
RELIGION IN THE
MODERN MIDDLE EAST
University of Shanghai
Seth Ward
University of Wyoming
MIDDLE EAST
HTTP://UPLOAD.WIKIMEDIA.ORG/WIKIPEDIA/COMMONS
/E/EE/DEMOCRACY_INDEX_2011.PNG
QUR’AN: SHURA 42:38, 3:159
"Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular
Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual
consultation among themselves; who spend out of what
We bestow on them for Sustenance" [are praised]
Thus it is due to mercy from God that you deal with them
gently, and had you been rough, hard hearted, they would
certainly have dispersed from around you; pardon them
therefore and ask pardon for them, and take
counsel with them in the affair; so when you have decided,
then place your trust in God; surely God loves those who
trust.
SUNNI AND SHI’I
 “fi al-ard khalifa”
 Sunna of the Prophet
 Wilaya “appointment”
 Prophetic tradition /
 Charismatic leaders
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/common
s/0/08/Dhulfiqar.svg
LEBANON
Parliament of Lebanon Seat Allocation
Confession
Before Taif
After Taif
Maronite
30
34
Greek Orthodox
11
14
Greek Catholic
6
8
Armenian Orthodox
4
5
Armenian Catholic
1
1
Protestant
1
1
Other Christians
1
1
Total Christians
54
64
Sunni
20
27
Shi'ite
19
27
Alawite
0
2
Druze
6
8
Total Muslims
45
64
Total
99
128
SYRIA
74% Sunni,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mideaststrategy/5670411
858/
12% Alawi,
9% Christian, and
3% Druze.
90% Muslim, 9% Christian,
Arab Christians,Assyrians and
Armenians.
Kurds (9%),Assyrians,Armenians,
Turkmens and Circassians
(1%) Arab (90%)
QUESTIONS?
 come Muslims in the United States profess
How
to be such great citizens and do not castigate
Islamic fascists?
Are Christians tolerated in Iran or do they have
to be undercover?
Are women going to be included in Democracy?
What is the speaker’s particular joy and can he
speak in a Middle Eastern Language?
Can you give a perspective on the new
democracy emerging in Egypt?
MORE QUESTIONS
Democracy and religion in the US –why is this so
different?