Civil Societies in Muslim Countries A conference of the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation, Documentation Berlin Office directed by Axel Schmidt-Gödelitz with support of the House of World Cultures in Berlin November 1996

Homepage Any comments? Quick Reference Help What's New!

Summary The emergence of civil societies in Muslim countries is partly the reaction to a fast process of modernization but also an answer to soft states which have not fulfilled their post-independence promises. Protest-movements are beginning to consolidate themselves in nearly every Muslim country against the negative effects of modernization, e.g. against the disintegration of social networks and the economic and social marginalisation of many individuals. These are all symptoms which the West is facing again more and more obviously, too. Some react to this by going back to traditional forms of solidarity as to hierarchical massorganizations, the family, the church or the mosque, a patriarchial state etc. Within civil society we will define those groups which are rather based on the independent, open-minded and active individual. Their commitment to solve social conflicts in open and peaceful debates constitutes civil society. Instead of obidience and imitation they introduce values like creativity, innovation and mental independence. Representatives of such currents in Muslim countries are barely known to a Western audience. The vivid debate that is going on, has not yet been remarked or only when it comes to such outspoken cases as in Egypt with Professor Hamid Nasr Abu Zaid. The case itself is exciting but not understood within a general context. In view of how important it is to link with these pluralistic groups we would like to learn more about the different aspects of this debate. Beside a theoretic debate on reforms we would also like to introduce the activities of a number of NGOs to the audience. We shall not leave out how much personal engagement and time is needed for this amazing number of voluntary associations emerging everywhere in the world. What we are looking for are examples introducing the values of civil society. Instead of prescribing a single (official or dogmatic) opinion, allowing the diversity of opinions. Instead of monopolizing the way of living (culture, clothes, sexuality), promoting different life-styles. We would like to meet and hear about individuals who function as role models in today's Muslim world. Such role models openly represent civil courage and the values of tolerance and pluralism. Within this conference we would like to show the German audience that such role models and a challenging debate can be found in virtually every Muslim country from Senegal to Indonesia, including Iran. With freer acces to information, the individual is ready to take up the challenge of the 21st century and to sharpen his or her political power of judgement. concept by Dr. Sonja Hegasy The Discover of the Social Society. A Critical View. Introduction-Prof. Dr. Gudrun Krämer, University Berlin Introduction Prof. Mohamed Abed al-Jabiri, Université Mohammed V, Rabat The modern Arab discours Prof. Burhan Ghaliun, Sorbonne The project of modernity in the Muslim world Prof. Adnan Bachit, President of the al-Bayt University, Amman Citizens in the making: the agenda of the al- Bayt University Prof. Ferhad Ibrahim Arab liberals and civil society, FU Berlin questions and answers Prof. Ibrahim Karawan, Chatham House Case studies: NGOs and liberal civil societies - Egypt: Mohamed Hafez, President of the coordination-committee for environmental NGOs - Indonesia: Abdurrahman Wahid, President of the Nahdatul Ulama "Islam and Modernisation in Indonesia - The Case of Neo-modernism" questions and answers - Morocco: Prof. Fatima Mernissi - Senegal: Prof. Magueye Kassé, University of Dakar For further reading...