Religion and Politics

Bismillah, I promised, today I would write some excerpt of Dr Jamal Badawi interview in a tv show on Political System of Islam. I would like to apologize if some of writings here is not as accurate as what he said in the interview. I hope this does not violate the copyright law.

Separation between religion and state

Separation, in the west has its own historical route. It has something to do with the way, the relationship between the church and the state was perceived by the people. For quite considerate period of time, the mass, used to perceive the church as an institution which align itself with the ruling elite, in the way that not necessarily serve the interest of the masses. It was perceived by some people especially in the 17th century on, as an institution which has strong desire for power, struggling with all times with the ruling elite’s i.e. so called temporal authority. Many people considers, the name somewhat synonymous with the inquisition court, with the prosecution of scientist, standing against free thinking and all that. That’s how thing were seemed by the masses.

At the age of enlightenment, people reacted again in a very strong way, going to the other extreme perhaps, by rejecting anything pertaining to the church or church power. Even those who took moderate position, “let’s be critical of the ‘church’”. Thought he best way is to separate the two functions. To keep the church devoted entirely to the spiritual and moral aspect of life and leaving the temporal authority or secular authority in the hands of other people. This can be understood in terms of the circumstances, surrounding of the church, its history, in the Christian world.

But this does not mean that this principle of separation, either universal or that it has to be imposed in Islam. Islam has its own system. The whole notion of separation doesn’t really apply on the faith of Islam.

4 min : 20 s - 7 min : 40 s

Dr Jamal Badawi

Assalammualaikum. Today I would like to introduce to you to one of my favourite speaker, Dr Jamal Badawi. I had listened to few recordings (mp3) of his talks, I like it very much. Insha-allah I will write down and share some of the content of the mp3 I had listened here. Here is his biography:

Jamal Badawi is a professor at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where he is currently a cross-appointed faculty member in the Departments of Religious Studies and Management. He completed his undergraduate studies in Cairo, Egypt and his Masters and Ph.D. degrees at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Dr. Badawi is the author of several works on Islam. He also researched, designed and presented a 352-segment television series on Islam, shown in many local TV stations in Canada and the USA and in other countries as well. Audio and video copies of these programs have been widely used in many countries.

In addition to his participation in lectures, seminars and interfaith dialogues in North America, Dr. Badawi was invited as guest speaker in various parts of the world. He is also active in several Islamic organizations, including The Islamic Society of North America and is the founder/chairman of the Islamic Information Foundation, a non-profit foundation seeking to promote better understanding of Islam by Muslims and non-Muslim.

Some Titles of Published Works
Selected Prayers, Gender Equity in Islam, Leadership: An Islamic Perspectives (with Rafik Beekun), Muhammad in the Bible, Status of Woman in Islam, Muhammad’s Prophethood: An Analytical View, Siyam (fasting), At- Taharah (state of purity) , Polygamy In Islamic Law, The Earth and Humanity: An Islamic Perspective, Islam: Basic Concepts and Requirements, Islam: A Brief Look, Muslim Woman’s Dress According to The Qur’an and Sunnah, Islamic Ethics, The Application of Tawheed in the Natural and Social Order.

Source http://www.onlineislamicstore.com/jamalbadawi.html