5: Do you agree that western Muslim world won’t get along until Muslim world become more secular, more modern and more democratic?

Bernard Lewis Responds: Regarding democracy, one has to be careful what one means by democracy. There is a tendency nowadays, particularly in the English-speaking world to assume that democracy is the natural and normal condition of humanity, that any departure from it is either a disease to be cured or a crime to be punished for. I don’t share that view. They have to evolve their own form of government.

But what I think is possible and desirable and can really be achieved in these countries is to evolve a kind of government which is civilized, humane, above all limited and responsible. For that there are ample of precedents within Islamic tradition.

“Understanding Muslims 2/2 – Agonizing Questions”

AustralianNeoCon1

You Tube, minutes 10:00 to 10:49

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEgKG_h3C20