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By Kamal Chomani:
There are two main perspectives about the Islamic parties in Kurdistan: one sees them as a threat to Kurdistan’s so-called developing democracy; the other expects them to come through the current situation greatly strengthened. Neither view is realistic.
With 12 seats in parliament, the Islamic parties represent approximately 15 percent of the population in the Kurdistan region. They include the Kurdistan Islamic Union – the strongest (with 6 seats), led by Salahaddin Bahaddin – the Kurdistan Islamic Group (with 4 seats), led by Ali Bapir and the Islamic Movement of Kurdistan (with 2 seats), led by Sidiq Aziz.
The success of the Islamic parties in the Arab Spring and their victories in post-dictator elections inspires all the Islamic political groups in the region. Kurdish Islamic parties are part of this wave and expect to benefit from it. We may see the reign of these parties in the second decade of the 21st century.
In all the post-dictator elections, so far the Islamic parties have done well. The fears of some intellectuals, observers, analysts and journalists are exaggerated, simply because we have not seen these parties in positions of power. Let’s give them a chance.
I think they will do better than their predecessors. Interestingly, because of democracy’s game of elections, none of the Islamic parties can pursue what they want. And it’s true that, if the Islamists had not taken part in the Arab Spring, they would have failed so far.
People are central in the new Middle East. People are no longer concerned about religion: they overthrew the dictators who oppressed them to practice their political Islamic views. Now laws and policies to benefit the people have priority – in particular, measures to save nations from economic disorder. Any Islamic party that does not implement a successful economical policy will not be able to take the throne a second time.
The great accomplishments of the Turkish Justice and Development Party, or AKP, which has Islamic roots, stem not from its Islamic beliefs, but rather from its successful economic and more liberal policies (for the Turks).
The first perspective, that believes the Islamic parties are a threat to Kurdish democracy, is from the biased mindset of some Marxist activists and the two ruling parties’ discourse. Islamic parties have announced that they believe in democracy, human rights and freedom of speech. Even so they have become the victims of concepts that do not exist in Kurdistan. If they win power (which is still a distant prospect) they will do much better than the KDP and PUK. Because of the lack of democracy and freedom in Kurdistan, they have been oppressed since the start of Kurdish civil war in 1994. I can say that they believe in democracy and do respect human rights, freedom of speech and individual liberties more than the KDP and PUK.
Meantime, hitherto, the three Kurdish Islamic parties have not had a serious economic agenda to become the source of changes in the region. Their social discourse is not very modern. Their political views are also not that developed to attract people’s admiration. Some of their leaders still are living in the 70s and 80s.
Basically, they need to have a serious political, social and economic policy which makes the people believe that they can do better than the others. They have not yet produced a well-thought-out policy that we could depend upon in the process of our nation building. They need a radical change to be in step with the current changes in the region: otherwise they will lose the opportunity to develop.
Those who invoke the ‘Islamist threat’ are only doing so to manipulate public thinking and help the two ruling parties to stay in power.
We should create a flexible arena for all parties to work in. Considering Islamists as a threat to democracy only increases conflicts which may become disastrous for the future. I am optimistic about our Kurdish Islamic parties since they have come from the roots of Kurdish society. They are patriots. They are part of society.
The Egyptian Islamic Brotherhood was banned from politics but, after dozens of conflicts with Mubarak, they could win the elections. The Kurdish Islamic parties are now part of the scene and they have all kinds of supporters. The best thing is to work with them, give them the chance to operate in the democratic game and not label them as traitors. Degrading, badmouthing and defaming are the classic ways of conflict. These ways work no longer.
Copyright © 2011 Kurdistantribune.com
The author of this article overlooks the fact that Islamist parties are ideologically driven and in pursuit of an Islamist state which sideline and ostracise all other groups in society. Quite naive to think any party with a good economic policy regardless of ideology should be “given a chance”! I wonder what kind of social and cultural reform the author thinks the Islamist party will bring to the arena?!….. Guards on every street corner with a stick to beat women who show their ankle or god forbid their scarf is not tied properly!
It’s not scare mongering to point out the faults of a political party that is based on “divine conviction”, it is matter of fact!
The whole world got two options dealing with Islamic political parties.Either you tolerate them and share the wealth and power of state with them or got to get to rid of them one by one.But since you can not get rid of them at all,because history shows that nomatter how many times you block and ban Islamic parties from politics ,they still find thier way out,grow stronger and ultimately become popular in the socitey .This is a historical fact and a bitter reality that can not be ignored.So I guess you have no choice except to share the wealth and power of the state with them.
What you have written ,its true .
Gold can be Iron if more than 50 percent agreed on .
degrading , defaming and badmouthing are used as adouble sharpen weapon against the Gold ,then no one will buy it ,if analsts ,abservers and whomevere are they ,works for me in one day ,i can be as much respectfull, well-known as Sammuel Johnson, this is what is now so- called Ideology (enslaving you , buying you and killing you )with no question .
its cynical in every thing .
If Gold get rust what shall the Iron do ?Pure Kurdish people are unbearable to the Marxist school of thoughts ,my father taught me how to pray rather than how to make Iron from Gold .Because, what i lknow about Gold is ,the more you fired , it shines mor …………Thanks Auther