Writing on Cif recently, Brian Whitaker argued that the main problem with Islamic political movements in the Muslim world was their belief in the "sovereignty of God" (hakimiyyah) and that this has brought them into conflict with democratic ideas of the sovereignty of the people.
The facts are undeniable. Wherever modern Islamic movements have come to power, whether through a popular revolution (Iran), military coup (Sudan) or civil war (Taliban in Afghanistan), they have invariably sought to drastically restrict personal freedoms and civil rights in the name of upholding the rule of God. [Guardian Cif] Read more
