Islamic Democratic Discourse

Introduction
The Emergence of an Islamic Democratic Discourse
M. A. Muqtedar Khan

Classical Perspectives on Islam and Politics
Ijtihad and Maslaha
Tarek Ramadan
Elements of Government in Classical Islam
Tamara Sonn
Obedience to Political Authority: An Evolutionary Concept
Asma Afsaruddin

Regional Debates on Islam and Democracy
Islam, Ethnicity, Pluralism and Democracy: Malaysia’s Unique Experience
Osman Bakar
An Islamic Quest for Pluralistic Political Models: A Turkish Perspective
Ozlem Denli
Islamic Thought between Formal Conservatism and Indigenous Liberalism: Lesson from the Sudanese Heritage
Mahgoub El-tigani Mahmoud and Carolyn Fleuhr
Current trends in Political Thought: Perspectives from Shi’i Thought
Ali Pay

Global Discourse on Islam and Democracy
The Politics, Theory and Philosophy of Islamic Democracy
M. A. Muqtedar Khan
The Role of Islam in Public Square
Abdulaziz Sachedina
Dialogue in an Age of Terror
Marc Lynch
Democracy and its Muslim Critics: an Islamic alternative to Democracy?
Abdelwahab El-Affendi

These thoughtful essays, from a variety
of methodological standpoints,
deepen the emerging conversation about
Islam, democracy, and liberalism.
The historian, the political scientist,
and the student of the Middle East can
each find here material of interest.
A valuable contribution to
the most pressing topic of the day.

– Noah Feldman, Professor of Law, New York University School of Law

This excellent volume defines the agenda for future thinking about Islam and democracy. It is essential for those who want to go beyond media platitudes and engage with the Islamic intellectual traditions and sources of pluralism, democracy and good governance. Muqtedar Khan has done an excellent job of brining together a broad spectrum of views, with cutting edge scholars presenting the major arguments in current debates.
– John Voll, Director, Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University and the co-author of Islam and Democracy (1996)

This is a powerful and informative book that addresses difficult issues related to Islam and Democracy. The authors write in concise and simple language, accessible to all, on a subject that can challenge Muslim and non-Muslim readers alike. The outcome is probably the best combination of essays that exists to date. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning about the challenges of democratization in the Muslim world today.
– Radwan Masmoudi, Executive Director, Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy