Islam and democracy go together as the great religion ordains a clear charter of human rights and economic opportunities for all and allows spiritual and societal growth, a Pakistani-American scholar said on Capitol Hill. Dr Zulfiqar Kazmi, speaking at a conference organized by Pakistani-American
Congress (PAC), rejected the argument common in political discourse in
Western countries that Islam and democracy do not coexist. Democracy, Dr Kazmi noted, is inherent in Islamic teachings, which stress equality and justice for all without any discrimination.
In the Pakistani context, he cited
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s firm belief in democracy and his
saying that it was Islam which illustrated the concept of democratic
freedom and guaranteed human rights of people about 1500 years ago.
The great scholar of Islam and poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal emphasized the Islamic message of spiritual democracy, said Kazmi, who heads The Commongrounds, an organization devoted to fostering inter-faith understanding and harmony.
The partipants at the 19th Annual U.S.-Pakistan Friendship Day included American Congressmen and prominent Pakistani-American leaders, who presented their views on advancing U.S.-Pakistan relations in view of current challenges. Dr Muhammad Akram, President of Pakistani -American Congress expressed views of the Pakistani-Americans on various issues.
The PAC is an umbrella organization of Pakistani Associations of North America and seeks to promote goodwill and cordial relations between the United States and Pakistan and their people. APP
The great scholar of Islam and poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal emphasized the Islamic message of spiritual democracy, said Kazmi, who heads The Commongrounds, an organization devoted to fostering inter-faith understanding and harmony.
The partipants at the 19th Annual U.S.-Pakistan Friendship Day included American Congressmen and prominent Pakistani-American leaders, who presented their views on advancing U.S.-Pakistan relations in view of current challenges. Dr Muhammad Akram, President of Pakistani -American Congress expressed views of the Pakistani-Americans on various issues.
The PAC is an umbrella organization of Pakistani Associations of North America and seeks to promote goodwill and cordial relations between the United States and Pakistan and their people. APP
