Sharia and Democracy

I have just read a book which I highly recommend: Arguing the Just War in Islam, by John Kelsay. The early chapters are important and lay a foundation; the final chapters are essential reading. You will find here also references to a scholar at Emory University, whose lecture you MUST listen to: “The Future of Shari`a: Secularism from an Islamic Perspective,” Annual Currie Lecture, The Center for the Study of Law and Religion, Emory School of Law, January 29, 2007. It is available at: http://sharia.law.emory.edu/fr/welcome. If and when you have time to read and book (it is not long) and listen to and watch the lecture, I would love to hear your reactions. I found these items stimulating and encouraging.

With regard to women in Islam, you might also find the following helpful: “In Recognition of Women,” by Kaled Abou El Fadl.