Since 2003, the Bush administration, and President Bush in particular, has talked constantly about promoting democracy in the Middle East but has actually done very little to achieve this objective.   The Iraq war notwithstanding – democracy promotion was actually an afterthought in Iraq – U.S. foreign policies continue to support oppressive regimes in the region and reward authoritarian rulers who falsify elections and oppress their people, with more economic and security assistance.  While the ‘hyper-talk’ about democracy promotion initially raised the hopes and expectations of many in the region, it later only served to discredit the intellectuals, leaders, and activists who have been struggling for freedom and democracy for decades.  If we hope to achieve long-term peace, stability, and development in the Middle East, and in the world, we must end our double standards and stop supporting oppressive and illegitimate governments in the Middle East.

There is a serious crisis in the Muslim world, one that has manifested itself in many ways:  from rising levels of poverty and unemployment,  to growing corruption,, and wars.  Terrorism is, of course, the most violent form of this rage and anger, which finds its roots in the terrible conditions that millions of people, especially young people, find themselves in today.

Western and American media pundits increasingly blame Islam for the rising violence in the Middle East, but the reality is that the roots of violence and extremism lie in the despair, anger, frustrations, and humiliation that most Arabs and Muslims feel and which they believe is caused by their corrupt and inefficient governments,

Real democratization requires pressure from inside and out.  Pressure from within at this time is coming mostly from Islamic movements that have the popular support needed to push for reforms in their respective countries, but pressure from the outside is also important to prevent violence and radicalization, and to give hope to millions of people who want an elected, representative and accountable government.

This means that the US must accept and support democracy even if moderate Islamic movements, and not secularists, receive the majority of votes.  Supporting dictators is not only morally wrong, it also undermines peace and stability
With few exceptions, most Arab countries are ruled by a corrupt and secular elite that is benefiting from the status quo.  This elite is afraid of what democracy might bring, so they do everything they can to scare the US and the West of what democracy may bring.  The secular elite is increasingly marginalized, isolated, authoritarian, and corrupt.  They are neither genuine secularists nor democrats, but they raise these flags to seek support from the West.

Secularity was developed in Europe as a reaction to the Church’s control of governments during the Middle Ages.  The Muslim world was never ruled by a religious clergy, with the exception of modern-day Iran where the clerics took control after the Iranian people overthrew the Shah’s oppressive government.  Complete separation between religious values and politics is impossible in the Muslim world, while separation between religious and political institutions is necessary.[/u]

How to engage and support Moderate Islamists?

What does “Islamist” mean and what do Islamic movements stand for?  While extremist and radical fringe groups exist, the overwhelming majority of those who call themselves “Islamists” reject violence and theocracy, and simply want to reform their societies based on Islamic values of justice, equality, and accountability. In short, they want a democratic form of government that respects Islamic values without imposing them on citizens or on society.

Moderate Islamic movements today range from the Justice and Development Parties in Turkey and Morocco, to the reform Islah or Wasat parties in Kuwait, Yemen, and Jordan.  Prominent moderate Islamist leaders include Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia, Saadeddine al-Othmani in Morocco, and Abdulwaheed in Indonesia.  A Gallup Poll conducted in 2006 in ten Muslim-majority countries showed that the overwhelming majority (between than 70-90% in Egypt and Pakistan) want a democratic government, but also want Shari’ah (Islamic law) to be either the main or the only source of legislation in their countries.  This means that they want a democracy governed by Islamic principles, and they reject both theocracy and secular democracy. The majority wants “religious leaders” to be advisors to the lawmakers, and not become lawmakers or politicians themselves.

One of the main challenges for democracy in the Arab and Muslim world is the growing popularity of Islamic movements and/or political Islam, and the relative weakness of secular groups and movements.  The concern that many people have is that Islamist movements will not respect democracy and abide by its rules, if and when they come to power. It is important to remember that the support Islamist parties enjoy today did not exist 20 or 30 years ago and is clearly the result of the despair and hopelessness to which these failed states have led their populations.

Western and American media pundits increasingly blame Islam for the rising violence in the Middle East, but the reality is that the roots of violence and extremism lie in the despair, anger, frustrations, and humiliation that most Arabs and Muslims feel and which they believe is caused by their corrupt and inefficient governments,

Islamists and Jihadists, or radical Islamists are two different categories. The moderate Islamists want a democratic system where the Islamic identity (or as some call it in Turkey, cultural Islam) is reflected in social norms and systems. As secularism or western style democracy is inherently grounded in the Judeo-Christian experience and tradition it does not work very well in Muslim societies. The radicals on the other hand are the ones that want to turn the clock back to about the 11th-12th century. Trust me they are not interested in the 8th century because that time period is too liberal for their liking. Those are the crazy ones, not the likes of AKP in Turkey. The issues that moderate Islamists have center mainly on women's right to chose how they dress, they are not interested in forcing the hijab but leaving it up to the individual. They are not interested in forced conversions of all other religious minorities but religious tolerance towards all religious beliefs (including minority sects of Islam itself). That by far is what AKP seems to be trying in Turkey. They are proposing liberal legislation concerning religious institutions (including the Greek Orthodox Theology School (that's not what it is named though) in Istanbul) and foundations.

And yes Terry, we all know that your family is best friends with an Egyptian couple who thinks all Islamists are crazy. But unfortunately that is what you in the west tend to call any moderate Muslims who come forth with political demands of any kind.......

Terry Mathis

Because you are suckled with one source propaganda, your mind is unable to differenciate between islamists and terrorists. islamists is a modern term which refer to people who aim to set moral laws through democratic mechanism and without violence.

terrosrists are counted on fingers among islamists, and refuse any political discussion or entering any parliament.