Imam Bashir Ali: Community Leadership Summit San Diego, California November 15, 2014.

Developing Our Community Life:Establishing “Islamic Democracy”

Imam Bashir Ali:Community Leadership SummitSan Diego, CaliforniaNovember 15, 2014

Developing Our Community Life

Our Purpose/Mission (HQ 3:104)

“Let there be from you a community inviting to the goodness/prosperity; commanding universally recognized human excellence; preventing influences that void the human nature. Those, they, will be the successful.”

http://corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp?chapter=3&verse=104


Our Purpose/Mission (IWDM Vision)

Remake the World Model Muslim Communities New Africa Islamic Democracy Develop Community Life Shared Freedom Space


Natural Dynamism of Community Life

(HQ 2:148)

“And to everyone is a direction/purpose which He turns him; so excel in the good. Wherever you are, Allah will bring you together. Truly Allah has power over all things.”

http://corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp?chapter=2&verse=148


Natural Dynamism of Community Life

Time/Change DynamicDirectionPurposeProgressionOneness/Diversity Dynamic

Developing Our Community LifeNatural Dynamism of Community Life

Oneness

Diversity


Where Are We Now?

Community In TransitionNatural ProgressionDemographic ChallengesCommunity Development

Challenges


Imam W. Deen Mohammed:

“…Islam is a religion that directs us to community, to develop community-under G-d.”

(September 11, 2008)


Community Development Challenges

Social Marriage Family Life Youth Engagement

EconomicEducationCulturalGovernance (External/Internal)

Governance Challenges-Internal

Establishing“Islamic

Democracy”

Establishing “Islamic Democracy”


”…I believe that Islamic Democracy is the situation we need if we are to really progress in America.”

“…Our most urgent instrument is Muslim democracy.”


Islamic Democracy Principles

AuthorityAccountabilityDiversityAmruhum Shuraa BaynahumFreedom of Speech



Transparency/OpennessStandardsJustice and Conflict ResolutionResponsiveProgressive



Authority (of Governance and Leadership) Allah/Quran Example and Sunnah of Muhammad

the Prophet (pbum) Community (consent of the

Believers)



Accountability Allah Furqan (Quranic criteria) Community of Believers



Diversity (of community life) Demography, Opinions, Interests Specialization of effort, institutions Leadership Representation (demographic,

geographic)


Islamic Democracy Principles Amruhum Shuraa Baynahum (HQ 42:38)

Imam W. Deen Mohammed Tafseer:“G-d says to us, ‘Order upon the principle of Shuraa, of mutual consultation…’ This is a meeting of the minds, the mutual meeting of the best minds, discussing the matter and coming up with a consensus, a judgment they all support. Right? That’s what G-d says to do…”March 14, 2008, Boston, Massachusetts



Amruhum Shuraa Baynahum (HQ 42:38) Qualifications

(knowledge/character/disposition) Representation (diverse)▪ Election▪ Selection


Islamic Democracy Principles Amruhum Shuraa Baynahum (HQ 42:38)

Participation/Engagement (broad-based) Process (inclusive) Objective (majority consensus) Types/Application▪ Informal: interpersonal, situational▪ Formal: organizational, community (local, regional, national, international, global)



Freedom of Speech Individuals free to express their opinions or

concerns and to question their leaders and institutions

Representatives/Leaders free to respectfully differ with each other in private and public

Media has the right to inquire and question the leaders, policies, and institutions of the society



Transparency/Openness Actions open to the scrutiny of the community Need to have open, honest public

discussion/debate of important issues to the community

Obligation to report to the community on activities, use of community resources, critical issues, decisions, and inquiries/questions



Standards Community/Society has a right to

establish standards/policies for structure and development in conjunction with the Quran, Sunnah of PM, and IWDM Logic

Standards must evolve with the growth and development of the community


Islamic Democracy Principles Justice and Conflict Resolution

Equal justice applied to all measured against Furqan of Quran, Sunnah of PM, and community standards

Leaders should be an example Utilize Islamic conflict

resolution/arbitration processes Willingness to accept consequences for

violation



Responsive Responding to changing

needs/concerns of individuals, groups, community

Responding to different circumstances



Progressive Evolving and adjusting to the natural

dynamism (changing circumstances and consciousness) of human and community life

Continuous learning, assessment, evaluation, and improvement for the society

Self-corrective


Current Situation/Future Challenges

Natural Progression and Model Development Local Regional/Sections National (Community-wide)


Current Situation

Local Models (Masajid/Centers/Organizations) Bylaws (organizational structure) Elections (Imams/officers/boards) Boards/Shuraa Bodies Incorporation



Regional/Sections Organized Imams/Elected Conveners Other Organizations/Efforts (addressing

community needs) Regional Leadership Teams

(Intelligentsia) Coordinated Efforts



National (Community-wide) Organized Imams (Sectional Conveners) National Organizations/Teams Regional/Sectional Leadership Team

Representatives (Intelligentsia) Coordinated Efforts with Community

Leaders (Community Leadership Summits, etc.)



“…So this is how it works. The whole, all important parts work together for the success of the whole. And this is a true democracy, when all the people are included in shaping and promoting or directing of the interests of the community. That makes for a true democracy.”


NextSteps?...

Developing Our Community Life:Establishing “Islamic Democracy”

Shukran,Peace and Blessings!

Imam Bashir Ali: Community Leadership Summit San Diego, California November 15, 2014.

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