Reading session: “Islam, Secularism and Liberal Democracy: Toward a Democratic Theory for a Muslim Society”

Date: Sunday, 28 September
Time: 4.00PM – 6.00PM
Venue: Graha Pemuda, Sri Hartamas

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reading-session-islam-secularism-and-liberal-democracy-toward-a-democratic-theory-for-a-muslim-tickets-13195812029

Islam’s relationship to liberal-democratic politics has emerged as one of the most pressing and contentious issues in international affairs. Throughout history, democracy are deemed to belong to the realm of secularism, which neglect the religious factor and deprive the contribution of religious politics toward the democratization of politics and society.

In Islam, Secularism, and Liberal Democracy, Nader Hashemi challenges the widely held belief among social scientists that religious politics and liberal-democratic development are structurally incompatible. He argues for a rethinking of democratic theory so that it incorporates the variable of religion in the development of liberal democracy. Also, the relationship of religious reformation and political development is the key-factor to the empowerment of democratic society.

In the process, it proves that an indigenous theory of Muslim secularism is not only possible, but is a necessary requirement for the advancement of liberal democracy in Muslim societies.