DOCUMENT No. 13

Speech of Abdelouahed Belkeziz, Secretary General of The OIC at the Fourth Conference on Democracy and Development in the Face of Contemporary Challenges
 

Your Royal Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani,
Emir of the State of Qatar;
Your Highnesses and Excellencies;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

As-salam alaykum warahmotullah wabarakatuh.

I am very pleased to be here with you in Qatar to take part in the Fourth Conference on Democracy and Free Trade, organized by the University of Qatar in conjunction with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, under the theme “Democracy and Development in the face of Contemporary Challenges”.

                Let me begin by expressing gratitude to these two institutions for their fine initiative that responds to an urgent need in this part of the world. Such an initiative will make rational and informed contribution to the crystallization of views and ideas on the issues of the moment that commands the attention of many. This is more so because those who will be examining the issues slated on the agenda of this conference are the cream of intellectuals and scholars. This is why I am so pleased and attach such a great interest to being at this conference, in response to the generous invitation of H.E. Mr Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al Thani, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar.

                Because of the correlation between democracy and systems of governance that no organized society can live without, no one can deny that since the creation of man over the ages, the issue of democracy has been one of the main concerns of human societies in their constant quest for justice, security and dignified life.

                The evolution of democracy in the world is a long and ramified issue. Time will not permit dwelling on it on this occasion. It can be said, however, that modern democracy emerged with the ascendancy of liberal principles - that is, general freedoms, true representation of people and political pluralism, accountability and transparency, rule of law and justice in its widest sense, respect for human rights and openness, as well as the shunning of bigotry and discrimination. Ever since Islam existed, those principles have not been to the Islamic world. And I do not believe that Islam is incompatible with modern day concepts of good governance. In fact, Islam is one the first pioneers of those concepts.

                In a nutshell, Islam, many centuries ago came with a concept that is parallel to democracy. That concept seeks to achieve good and just governance that is based on the principle of consensus, respect for general freedoms, equality among people, accountability, justice, human dignity and the principle of separation of powers. These are the mainstays of not only modern democracy but also the lofty human values known to man in the age of modernity and enlightenment.

                Islam’s view of democracy is characterized by a special advantage. Commitment to the respect of the stated principles is dependent not only on legal controls. But more than that, the commitment is made a part of a complete faith because of the aura of respect and sacredness accorded to those principles.

                Despite the foregoing, results are not measured by the texts of legislations alone. Rather, they are measured by the implementation or lack of implementation of the legislations and by the proper or improper application of them. It is necessary to admit that practical application of these principles in governance, in accordance with the Islamic law was limited to only a short period of time in history. Not long after that, individual practices were introduced to the application of the legislation, thereby causing deviation from the upright Islamic path.

                In the present age, however, democracy in many parts of the Islamic world is a mixture of old cultural tradition and modern system of governance. Many of the legal texts regulating these matters should be praised, respected and commended. However, the defects in them in most cases lie in the practical applications that are manifested in concrete reality which often denude the text of its content, with the result turning out to be very far from the objective intended by the lawgiver.

                This shows that some Islamic countries still need to develop methods to cope with democracy at the level of both the text and the practical application of law that will be true to the letter and spirit of the law. This will enable those countries to be line with the modern international order, without neglecting their civilisational heritage which is not at all in conflict with new democratic principles.

                There can be no doubt that reform is necessary. Before all else, the law of progress which is part of the constants of the law of the universe requires reform. Stagnation can only bequeath lethargy, recession and backwardness in keeping up with the accelerating convoy of civilisation that shows no mercy to latecomers.

                Lived experience has proven that weakness or the absence of democracy anywhere in the world has considerable adverse impacts on economic performance and therefore development. In fact it is a key factor of economic backwardness.

                It is well known that democracy brings with it principles and patterns of practices that instill confidence and improve economic condition. Such principles – justice, accountability, transparency - encourage economic actors to come on board, and they assure investors both within and outside of the safety of their money and their investments. On the other hand, the absence of democratic laws or the difficulty of their application can block economic actors from working under uncertain conditions, scare investors from embracing processes that are not governed by law and lack assurances and guarantees.

                The relationship between democracy and development is therefore one of clear correlation that does not need further explanation. Since the current global challenges are linked with the general phenomena of contemporary issues, most notably globalization, which is based on intense competition, speedy communication and survival of the fittest, whoever excludes himself and his country from adapting to the spirit, working method and conditions of this age has brought upon himself isolation, retrogression in joining the convoy, and consequently, poverty, deprivation and blocked horizons of hope.

                This is why a conference such as this is necessary for the cross-fertilization of ideas between the East and the West, the North and the South and for testing the depth of challenges facing humanity. It is also necessary for calling attention to the roots of political and economic backwardness and how to deal with them, so that an atmosphere of solidarity and cooperation will prevail among mankind, leading to a situation where confidence, security and peace will be strengthened and where goodness and prosperity will reach everyone.

                On this note, I wish you every success in your deliberations.

                Wasalamu alaikum warahmotullah wabarakatuh.

DOHA, 5-6 April 2004
<http://www.oic-oci.org/press/english/april%202004/doha.htm>