By Ismail A Mohamed (Geyaandiid)

Politics is dynamic that often re-invents with times endlessly to exhibit the fears, hopes, apprehensions and appreciations of the society, in the wake of September 11 the Bush administration initiated a project to democratize the Middle East and the Muslim world as whole to promote  liberal democracy to counter what it saw the growing radicalism and extremism in that part of the world, so the masses can express their resentment and discontent with the ruling class through the ballot box to elect their own representative, to  be part  of policy making process and decide their political destiny.

The deeper erosion of governance, lack of equal distribution of wealth, sluggish economic growth and insufficient   jobs for the unemployed youth sparked the pervasive Arab spring in the process it has overthrown some autocratic regimes and put survival mode in others.  The revolutions inspired the evolution of political Islam, the prevalent election success of moderate Islamic parties in Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco highlights the raise of political Islam, those parties have built their support over the years from the grassroots level   through spiritual virtues and ethical responsibility, their motto of “common good is our good” has attracted the masses to their cause and election triumph. The surprise election success of the Salafis in Egypt who have won 25 % of the votes makes the Muslim brothers the kingmakers and the moderates everyone is courting, as many fear the extremism tendency of the Salafis.

The liberals, the educated elites and the seculars are bewildered the seclusion of their ideas and values, they have been out of touch to gauge the needs of the society and to cater them.  The coexistence of Islam and democracy is not utopia notion or myth the patriarch of political Islam AKP the justice and development party of Turkey has been in power since 2002, it endorsed market oriented economic policies from the beginning to create jobs, stabilize financial market and the currency, the economic miracle that followed increased its support base and wealth of the middle class, AKP also understands the importance of tolerance to coexist with the other nations and faiths.

The progenies of political Islam need to follow the footsteps of AKP party to tackle first socio-economic issues and unemployment so they can harness their popular support to achieve social justice. The world should not fear the election success of moderate Islamic parties in the Middle East rather to nurture these infant democracies, in the past Christian democratic parties won elections in Europe and there is a right wing government in Israel therefore the raise of political Islam will not lead to a clash of civilization.

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