The American studies department at the American University
in Cairo (AUC) and the office of international affairs at the American
University (AU) in Washington, D.C., are jointly sponsoring a conference
to discuss the highly controversial issue of Islam and democracy.
The conference, “Are Islam and Democracy Compatible?” will
be held at the Oriental Hall on the Main Campus from Nov. 3 through Nov.
5.
“The main point of course is in the title,” said Jerry W.
Leach, director of the American studies department. “It is a major
issue faced in the region and in the whole Islamic world, it’s an
issue which has not been resolved yet, it’s an issue which, in my
opinion, everyone should have an opinion on. An opinion on the answer
to this question, it will help determine the future of all the societies
of the Islamic world.”
The conference is intended to reach a wide variety of audiences, which
is why the guest attendees and speakers invited come from different races
and regions in the Middle East and the United States to ensure diversity
in opinion, explained Leach.
There will be seven sessions throughout the conference, each discussing
different topics under the main subject of Islam and democracy. Each session
includes a 30-minute presentation, followed by a 40-minute discussion.
Transcripts of the sessions will be posted on the AUC website in two languages
to reach a wider audience. The English version will be available by the
end of November and the Arabic one by the end of January. In addition,
there will be a number of presentations available in video format on the
website.
The title of the conference is oversimplified and sensational; the topic
requires deeper investigation and discussion, said Samer Soliman, associate
professor of political science and a speaker in the session on democracy
and elections. Islam should not be viewed as a political system, but rather
as a message of morality.
The subject of the conference is controversial and is not addressed a
lot, according to Leach. “It should make it a more interesting conference.
[We are] pursuing [it] because it’s a big issue facing the region
and the region will have to resolve it and resolve it hopefully by consensus,”
he added.
The detailed program of the conference, in addition to the list of speakers
and guest attendees, is available on the AUC website. All students are
encouraged to attend.
A large number of students expressed their opinion regarding the issue.
“Islam and democracy can coexist, but in an institutional framework,
and minorities should be part of that democracy,” said Omar Al Hussainy,
a political science graduating senior.
“It’s a very controversial issue and very subjective as it
depends on the person in power unless they decentralize the government
completely. People usually are after their own interests and use religion
as means to attain their goals,” said Yasmine Wali, journalism and
mass communication senior.
