Umar Online: EXCLUSIVE: Islam and Democracy are not incompatible - Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri at MYL event in London

Scroll down to watch the speech by Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri s/o Sheikh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri on the Islamic political system.

Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, the son of Sheikh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri was the chief guest at an event organised by Muslim Youth League (MYL) at Queen Mary, University of London last night. The lecture, the last in a series of lectures across universities in the UK was about the origins of the Islamic political system. Speaking to a crowd of around 100 young Muslims, Mr. Qadri destroyed the myth that Islam and democracy are incompatible, highlighting the evolutionary nature of Islamic democracy. He said that Islam had provided a number of basic principles upon which the democratic model could be formed. In considering calls for a Khilafah (caliphate system) from certain Muslim groups, Mr. Qadri argued that whilst the caliphate system was based on Islamic democratic values, those values could be used to formulate any suitable political model in society. His central argument was that 'any model can become a Khilafah if it based on Islamic principles.' In backing up his argument he cited numerous examples from the Quran, Hadith and Islamic history (in particular the ways in which the Caliphs were selected).

Mr. Qadri also issued a rallying cry to Muslims around the world to unite and help their communities. In an inspirational message to young Muslims in the West, he emphasised how Muslims must strive for excellence in their chosen field, be it law, medicine, business or sports. He condemned the use of violence or terrorism as means to an end, describing such activities as haraam (forbidden) in Islam. Instead, he gave the message of peace, tolerance and unity in the eradication of poverty and reiterated the importance of education in solving problems of Muslims nations. The event was organised by the Muslim Youth League (MYL), the youth wing of Minhaj-ul-Quran International (MQI), a non-political, non-sectarian, non-governmental organization (NGO) founded by Dr. Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri on 17 October 1980 in Lahore, Pakistan (More HERE). For further information of MYL, go to www.muslimyouth.org.uk.

Firstly, I would like to thank the MYL team for inviting me to this event about the Islamic political system. A fascinating insight was provided by the speaker, the son of one of the most influential Islamic scholars of our times.

Secondly, I would like to applaud the work MQI and MYL is doing to portray the true image of Islam, here in the West and around the world. I have researched MQI extensively and have followed Dr. Muhammed Tahir-ul-Qadri's life from a young age. The revival of Islam he has chosen to partake is based on the spiritual self-purification of the individual and the teachings of the Quran and sunnah are presented in light of the modern and moderate interpretation. In other words, the focus is on how Muslims can improve themselves before they set out to preach to others. I think that in today's world, you will find many organisations that talk the talk but fail to deliver. However, in the case of MQI, the practical application of true Islamic teachings is self-evident. Muslims throughout the world have faced practical problems and Sheikh-ul-Islam has delivered practical solutions time and time again. He is proud of the contribution Islam has made to this world and believes that Muslims, wherever they may be, must work for the betterment of society. How do we do this? We spread the message of peace and love that Islam first blessed us with 1400 years ago. We highlight how Islam is the religion of humanity, not terrorism and destruction. Sheikh-ul-Islam himself has been at the forefront of promoting community cohesion and inter-faith dialogue. He has recently issued a historical fatwa declaring suicide bombings and terrorism as forbidden in Islam. He has also set out to raise awareness about Islam for the betterment of society, having written about human rights and women's rights in Islam among many other topics. He has set up many schools and now, a University in Pakistan to promote education of religious and non-religious subjects. Finally, he has also set up a charity, Minhaj Welfare Foundation (MWF) to fight for the eradication of poverty from the world. All these factors made it pretty easy for me to accept the invitation to this event. For an introduction of MQI from Sheikh-ul-Islam with comment on some of the topics affecting Muslims around the world, click HERE.

Thirdly, in terms of the event itself, Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri was well-spoken and logical in his arguments (see exclusive video coverage below). At the end, I managed to get hold of him and asked him about a fellow Muslim whose group had been banned by the British government under the Terrorism Act on the same day. His response to the views of Anjem Choudary and Islam4UK was something along the following lines:

The Prophet (pbuh) said that a Muslim must respect and fully abide by the laws of the land of his residence, unless they (the laws) contradict with the practising of his faith. By that logic, what Anjem Choudary is doing is wrong because even under a non-Muslim ruler, the laws of Parliament are not stopping Muslims from practising their religion. Muslims in the West must live in peace and harmony, not shout slogans and disrupt community cohesion.

There isn't much one can disagree with in that answer. I'm guessing the next question would be whether the British foreign policy in Iraq or Afghanistan is the policy of a non-Muslim ruler which affects Muslims practising their faith? If so, should Muslims revolt?

So a very powerful speech in East London from Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri. I am delighted to be able to bring you the exclusive coverage of the full speech in video, right here @ umaronline.com. I also intend to upload some photos from the evening. Any comments, questions or suggestions can be left on this article or e-mailed to info@umaronline.com.

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