Panels on Islam and Liberal Democracy, Free Market held in Istanbul

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Islam and Liberal Democracy and Islam and Free Market panels were held Friday in Istanbul as a part of the 11th International Islam and Liberty Conference, which brought together academics from more than a dozen Muslim-majority countries.

Stating that Islam is a democratic region, professor Murat Cizakca from the Academia Europaea and European Science Foundation said Prophet Mohamed also consulted his environment before making decisions.

“The Prophet Muhammad also consulted well and engaged in serious discussions. If it’s a personal opinion, it’s debated, but if it’s revelation, it is undebated. This means that the issue of consultation exists in both the Quran and the Sunnah,” he said.

Starting his speech by addressing the importance of democracy in civil society, an academic from Tehran University, Abbas Mehregan, noted interpretations brought by Islam.

“The main characteristic of the traditional interpretation is its exclusive focus on the afterlife. Its goal is the salvation of people in the next life,” he said.

“The primary feature of the political interpretation is its focus on gaining political power. It aims to shape the world according to the laws of Sharia,” he said.

Explaining the definition of civil Islam, he compared civil and political Islam in difference and commonality.

Pointing out the characteristics of civil Islam, he said it refrains from direct intervention in politics.

He also said the panel aims to present Islam as a civil religion -- one whose most prominent social function is the expansion a consolidation of civil society.

At the Islam and Free Market panel, the CEO of the Liberty and Islam Network pointed out economic approaches in Muslim-majority countries.

Ali Salman said Islam takes measures to protect consumers and eliminate unfair practices, noting that it has a supportive approach in the area of social security.

He underlined the importance of the foundations embraced by Islamic societies in social security, stating that Prophet Muhammad encouraged Muslims to establish foundations.

Professor Ahmet Uzun from Sivas Cumhuriyet University said Islamic scholars generally believe that Islam introduces a "third economic understanding distinct from capitalism and socialism," without specifying.

Underlining the understanding of free market economics is built upon four main pillars, Uzun added: "These pillars align with the Islamic perspective," but he did not elaborate.