POLITICAL DIALOGUE

Islamic Shari‘ah and the Question of Minorities Written by Mahmood Ahmad Ghazi    Policy Perspectives , Volume6 , Number1, January - June 2009 Abstract [Minorities are defined on different bases by different countries and societies, e.g. ethnic, religious or linguistic. In Muslim societies, the basis is primarily religious belief. A minority is not always oppressed and may sometimes be ruling over the majority. At times, a minority may be large enough to deserve further rights than those due to a small minority. These situations are not adequately covered in contemporary international law. Muslim scholars have classified non-Muslims living in Islamic societies into two categories: mu‘ahidin (those entering into a contract with the Muslim state) and ahl al-dhimma (protected or guaranteed citizens). The second category, being the result of Muslim conquest, a phenomenon of the past, no longer exists. Historically, such minorities have been treated very well in...

Muslims and the Contestations of Religio-Political Space in America Written by Mumtaz Ahmad    Policy Perspectives , Volume6 , Number1, January - June 2009 Abstract [Having gone through a process of maturation in the post 9/11 period, a new form of political engagement based on a re-thinking of the conventional paradigm of socio-political activism can be witnessed among the American Muslim community. Today, there is a change of emphasis from purely electoral politics to the politics of "social movements," of coalitions with other progressive forces in America on a range of issues based on common concerns and objectives such as immigration, civil rights and health care. Progressive Muslim organizations in the US have effectively challenged those among their own community who objected to socio-political activity within a secular America. They have also been engaged successfully in building bridges with non-Muslim communities and groups. This new approach of coali...