44 research outputs found
The relationship between the maqasid (higher purposes of shari'ah)approach and siyar (foreign policy of the Islamic state)
No full textClassical jurists have rigorously studied siyar (the foreign policy of the Islamic state) describing the nature of the principles and norms that influenced the formulation of siyar. On the basis of these principles and norms, the jurists formulated rulings to describe the nature of the relationship of the Islamic state with others. This study examines the relationship between the principles and norms that influenced siyar and the maqasid approach (higher purposes) of shari'ah. This study first presents a conceptual analysis of siyar. Second, it discusses the approach of maqasid of shari'ah. Third, it explores selected judicial rulings taht describe the nature of siyar. Fourth, this study, building on an analysis of selected judicial rulings suggests that siyar was guided by some general principles and norms. Finally, the study examines the relationship between the principles that governed siyar and the approach of maqasid of shari'ah. The study concludes that the aim of both siyar and maqasid of shari'ah was/is to establish a moral order. The genesis of this positive relationship between the maqasid of shari'ah and the principles and norms that guided siyar is found in the unity of the source of knowledge or the principle of Divine Unity (al-Tawhid)
Asabiyyah, religion and regime types: re-reading Ibn Khaldun
No full textIbn Khaldūn found a “causal determinative analytical tool” to explain development, progression and disintegration of ‘umrān (lit. culture). He argued that ‘umrān comes into existence as a result of five types of causes: (1) the “ultimate or first cause,” (2) final cause, (3) efficient cause, (4) formal cause, and (5) material cause. However, in Ibn Khaldūn’s scheme of analysis, the efficient cause of ‘umrān and political institutions consists of two factors: (1) ‘aṣabiyyah and (2) religion. Ibn Khaldūn believed that a meaningful investigation of the relationship between religion, ‘aṣabiyyah and ‘umrān is possible if investigation is narrowed down to the study of human nature. Hence, according to Ibn Khaldūn, what is true of human nature is also true of ‘umrān. Stated differently, the rules applicable to human nature are applicable to ‘umrān and political institutions
The Arab Spring: challenges to the US Middle East policy
No full textThis study argues that the Arab World and the larger Middle East region are politically, strategically, and economically significant in the US foreign policy formulation. However, the 2011 Arab Spring poses serious
challenges to Washington’s interests and policy in the region. The Arab Spring entails political elite transformation in the Arab countries of the Middle East region. The Arab Spring could sweep into power the Arab nationalists and the Islamists. In the democratic Middle East, the effectiveness of the State of Israel card as the only democratic state will diminish. The study concludes that unless Washington in search of new allies adopts the approach of constructive engagement and inclusive democracy in the larger Middle East region, Iran will exploit the Arab street protests and thwart USA’s interests and stability in the region
Obama’S Afghanistan strategy: a policy of balancing the reality with the practice
No full textPresident Barack H. Obama promised to stabilize Afghanistan. President Obama in 2009 introduced the AfPak
or Afghanistan and Pakistan Policy. Obama’s AfPak Policy in outlining America’s intentions in Afghanistan was
announced over two phases: the Obama March 27, 2009, Afghanistan Strategy and the Obama December 1,
2009, Afghanistan Strategy. The AfPak Policy’s recognition that there is no military-only solution to the Afghan
quagmire and focus on soft powers and nation-building efforts distinguishes it from Bush’s Afghanistan Policy.
The Policy will fail if the US fails to consolidate the power of the central government, abandons the intra-Afghan
dialogue and if the dialogue it suggests with powers with stakes results in ‘sourcing out’ Afghanistan again.
President Obama should not have made public the July 2011 deadline for a drawdown and eventual withdrawal
of the US troops from Afghanistan in his December 1, 2009, tier of AfPak Policy announcement. The US has a
‘stabilizing’ role and therefore, must work out an alternative approach such as strengthening the existing
‘declaration of strategic partnership’ with Afghanistan to remain engaged. The Obama administration should
have shared Secretary Gates’s fear that the Afghans will view the US as an occupying power similar to the
Soviet Union. The US needs to convince Afghanistan’s neighbors that Afghanistan is a sovereign state and its
sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected by the international community. The Policy’s assertion
that the US is not an occupier and respects Afghanistan’s rights as a sovereign state when it remains engaged in
its politics is praiseworthy.
Keywords: The US Interests, Obama Afghanistan Strategy, the US AfPak Policy, Security, Genuine Intra-Afghan Dialogue, Empowerment, Democratic Space, al-Qa’eda, the Taliba
Democracy and democratization in contemporary Muslim societies: a theoretical analysis
No full textThis paper examines the impact of democracy and democratization on contemporary Muslim societies. The institutional and philosophical approaches to democracy and democratization are inseparable. The paper investigates the relationship between the philosophical dimension of Western democracy and the Muslim philosophy of life and concludes that the democratization of contemporary Muslim societies leads to serious and destabilizing ideological polarization and division of Muslim societies into supporters of secularism and political Islam. The Islamist-secularists relation radicalizes: (1) when the Islamists are prevented from capturing power through democratic institutions and (2) when the advanced Western democratic states cooperate with non-democratic secular elites of Muslim societies. The destabilizing role of democracy can be moderated if the Islamists are engaged in the democratic process, and the debate between the Islamists, the secularists and the West . based on the view that the West should conceive Islam as an alternative weltanschauung (worldview) . focuses on issues that are human properties, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or language. The institutional approach to democracy provides a common ground for cooperation and dialogue between the Islamists, the secularists and the West
Democratization of Post-Taliban Afghanistan: prospects and challenges
No full textThe 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan entailed combating terrorist cells and democratization of Afghanistan. The democratization argument has been based on the assumption that Afghanistan had no history of civic culture and democratic experience. Afghanistan’s history was that of authoritarianism, dictatorship and dogmatic leadership. On December 5, 2001, Afghan groups signed the UN-sponsored Bonn Agreement to make Afghanistan a democratic nation. Yet of late some argue that the lukewarm democratization of the country and failure of democratic experience to instil civic culture indicate that the real signatories were powerful states with vested interest in collaboration of their Afghan allies. As mandated in Bonn Agreement, Afghanistan promulgated a new constitution, laws on political parties and elections, registered political parties, held presidential and parliamentary elections and established an Independent Election Commission. The democratization of Afghanistan initiated by the Bonn Agreement also entailed the development of a multi-ethnic and an ideologically diverse party politics and party system and the role of women. Academics argue that Afghanistan will be an ideologically split and ethnically divided polity, democratization of the Afghan society has a moderating impact, containing the negative affect of ethnic cleavages and ideological differences so characteristics of the Afghan political culture at a manageable level. But, the question that may be raised is that why have not promulgation and introduction of the Bonn mandated democratic institutions led to institutionalization of democracy and civic culture in Afghanistan? Success of democracy in Afghanistan depends on its institutionalization. Afghanistan lacked political will and leadership to institutionalize democracy. It has found the political will in the person of President Ashraf Ghani. Will the signatories of the Bonn Agreement and their foreign backers cooperate to allow Afghanistan become a functioning democracy
Trump presidency and US involvement in Middle East and the Muslim world
No full textPresident Trump when for running for the White House promised his supporters to make
America Great again. He also instigated anti-Muslim feelings among his audience. He
promised that he would move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. Finally, he made it to the White
House and won the American Presidency. Analysis of his 100 days in office suggests that his
presidency has been marred by the Russia scandal that he colluded with Putin’s Russia to
win the presidency. Though Trump denies any Russian involvement in the US Presidential
Election, investigation into Russia’s involvement and Trump’s team’s collaboration has
begun to get to the truth. This has resulted in resignation of some of his top campaign
advisers and officials. The development shows that Trump will have difficult time to deal
with the Russia Inquiry and yet his administration will honor his election campaign agenda.
Trump will revive the US active role in the Middle East and Syria. However, it is not sure if
President Trump due to Russia Inquiry will survive to complete his term in office
The characteristics of an Islamic Government during its formative phase: a comparative study of Sunni and Shi'i doctrines
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