 Similarly, it is argued that the culture of Islam is incompatible with democracy. Basically, this conventional perspective of the Middle East thus contends that democracy in that region is neither possible nor even desirable. |
| There exists an unmistakable demand in the Middle East and in the wider Muslim world for democratization. |
| The foundations of democratic transition should be laid in accordance with a sincere and committed strategy that is supported by various policy tools, and implemented wisely. |
| But foremost, I do not subscribe to the view that Islamic culture and democracy cannot be reconciled. |
| The advanced levels which the democratic world has attained at the end of lengthy processes may have created the perception in the region that democracy is a distant concept; this perception can be addressed. |
| It is essential that policy instruments be developed that would firmly establish democratization on the basis of social consensus and enable transformation on stable grounds. |
| Several experts on the Middle East concur that the Middle East cannot be democratized. |
| The US and the European Union needs to help in the translation of the demand for democracy into a political will. |
| I regard the endorsement of both the objective and a method - which can differ from one country to another- of democratization by the parties in the region as a basic requisite of democratization in the Middle East. |
| In other words, the bar should be maintained at the level of a pluralistic and participatory democracy. |
| Even in the Western world, one cannot argue that the ideal has been achieved given the existence of issues like the integration, participation and representation of Muslim citizens, and occasional but lingering anti-Semitism. |
| However, democracy cannot be defined as the existence of parliaments and elections alone. |
| As a politician who cherishes religious conviction in his personal sphere, but regards politics as a domain belonging outside religion, I believe that this view is seriously flawed. |
