If you read this blog on a regular basis, you understand that I am very skeptical about the 'Arab Spring.' I have listened to enough people who have extensive backgrounds in Islamic studies to understand that democracy and Islam are not compatible. However, many of the major media has not yet figured that out, so we continually have optimistic articles about Muslim nations moving toward freedom and human rights. I remain skeptical.
Andrew McCarthy posted an article at the National Review yesterday stating his skepticism about King Mohammed VI's new constitution for Morocco. Jennifer Rubin posted an extremely optimistic article in the Washington Post on Monday about the new constitution. Mr. McCarthy states that he is not quite ready to break out the champagne.
Mr. McCarthy points out:
"Morocco is not just a "Muslim country" in the cultural sense. It is a country proudly adherent to sharia law. Since 1969, Morocco has been a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, whose Islamic member states proclaimed, in 1990, the "Declaration of Human Rights in Islam." The rationale for this proclamation -- which is also known as the "Cairo Declaration" -- is that the signatory nations do not accept the concept of "human rights" as it is understood in the West and outlined in such instruments as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which the Cairo Declaration is a rebuttal."
Can you have democracy in a country where it is illegal to criticize Islam or Sharia Law? Can you have human rights when women are only allowed the rights given to them under Sharia Law?
Mr. McCarthy further points out:
"Similarly, "freedom to practice religion" comes with the severe restrictions sharia imposes on non-Muslims. Yes, they are "free" to practice their religion in the sense that they are not compelled to convert to Islam (Article 10 makes that explicit), but there are considerable legal and financial disadvantages to being a non-Muslim in a sharia state. And "freedom of speech" does not include the freedom to utter statements that cast Islam in a poor light or that sow discord among the ummah -- regardless of whether those statements are true."
It is my wish that someday the people in the Middle East will be free and have true human rights. Right now the only country where that is true is Israel. Until the people under Islamic dictatorships realize the slavery they are in and rise up against it, I don't see much hope for the 'Arab Spring.' However, it would be nice to see freedom reign in the Middle East.
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