Islam and Democracy

Our brave and insightful leaders have, over the past fifteen years, repeatedly told us that Islam is somehow incompatible with democracy. Muslims, the line of thinking goes, are somehow uniquely unqualified to participate in modern democracy because of... well, because of hazy reasons that don't really make a whole lot of sense when analyzed.

Mostly it comes down to the fact that they're just somehow... different. They look different. They speak foreign. They write in squiggly. They don't all wear jean shorts and T-shirts. Some women wear hijabs instead of bad perms and bangs.

Add it all up and one reaches the conclusion that Muslims and modernity simply don't mix.

When this line of argument is advanced, the speaker will quite often point to the obvious, apparent, undeniable sexism that is totally rampant all over the Muslim world. The Muslim world. Take a deep breath and briefly consider how stupid it is to refer to a group of countries as the Muslim world. Now slam your head into a wall three times.

Feel better?

I think it's a useful exercise to consider this line of thinking, this idea that ubiquitous sexism in "The Muslim World" precludes Muslims from participating in democracy.

Quick question: how many female Presidents have the enlightened voters of the Unites States elected?

I will not insult your intelligence by answering that for you.

How many heads of state have the troglodytes of "The Muslim World" elected?

Probably none, right? They were too busy circumcising them and prohibiting them from going to school.

Of course, that's wrong. There have been several female Muslim heads of state:

Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, 1988-1990 and 1993-1996.
Khalid Zia of Bangladesh, 1991-1996 and 2001-2006.
Tansu Ciller of Turkey , 1993-1996.
Megawati Sukarnoputri of Indonesia, 2001-2004.
Mame Madoir Boye of Senegal, 2001-2002.
Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, 2009-present.
Roza Otunbayeva of Kyrgyzstan, 2010-2011.
Atifete Jahjaga of Kosovo, 2011-present.

Please bear in mind that both Bangladesh and Pakistan have elected women multiple times to be head of state. And before your face turns red and you begin to do the pee-pee dance and you point out that women do face some very real challenges while living in some Muslim countries, please note that I am not denying this. This is true.

But please also note that in some areas Muslim women have achieved power and success that their American counterparts have been denied. This is also true.