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Humanitarian andReligious Approaches toDevelopment Confronting HIV/AIDSintheMuslim World Building Education intheMuslim World Justice ontheGround: Development Approaches intheMuslim World Challenges ofSurveillance andSuspicion Justice inIslam Democracy andCivilSociety intheMuslim World Engaging theNext Generation Politics around Development Work Challenges ofGender inDevelopment Avoiding “Western” Bias Challenges of“Interreligious Understanding” =4 1 = 03@9:3G13 @3:757=</<25:=0/:23D3:=>;3@=831B BVS2SQS[PS` %ag[^]aWc[T]QcaSR]\bVS O\RPOQYU`]c\R`S^]`babVS:cQS A4A>`]U`O[]\ `]ZS]TTOWbVPOaSR]`UO\WhObW]\aW\bVS;caZW[ @SZWUW]\O\R5Z]POZ2SdSZ]^[S\beWZZ[O^bVS`]ZS e]`ZRWa^O`b]TOP`]ORS`Q][^O`ObWdS^`]XSQb ]TTOWbVPOaSR]`UO\WhObW]\aO`]c\RbVSe]`ZRO\R ]\@SZWUW]\O\R5Z]POZ2SdSZ]^[S\beWbVW\bVS ^]W\bb]PSab^`OQbWQSaO\RO`SOaT]`Q]ZZOP]`ObW]\ :cQS A4A>`]U`O[]\@SZWUW]\O\R7\bS`\ObW]\OZ /ag[^]aWc[W\/^`WZ %Sf^Z]`SRbVS`]ZS]T /TTOW`a BVS^`]U`O[SfO[W\SaP]bVbVS`]ZS]T TOWbVPOaSR]`UO\WhObW]\aW\bVSCAO\ROe]`Y `SZWUW]caU`]c^aO\RWRSOaW\R]\]`O\RRSdSZ]^W\U aV]^W\8c\S &VSZRW\BVS6OUcS 0/195@=C<2>/>3@ /<27<23>B67 7\ORdO\QS]TbVSag[^]aWc[:cQS A4AU`ORc ObSTSZZ]eaVSZ^SRb]Q`OTbOPOQYU`]c\R^O^S` eVWQVT]QcaSa]\V]eS[S`UW\UW\abWbcbW]\aW\ bVS;caZW[e]`ZRSa^SQWOZZgbV]aSeWbVSf^ZWQWb TOWbVZW\YaO`SO^^`]OQVW\UWaacSa]Ta]QWOZO\R SQ]\][WQRSdSZ]^[S\b 7\RS^bVW\bS`dWSeaeS`S OZa]Q]\RcQbSReWbVag[^]aWc[^O`bWQW^O\ba bVObSf^Z]`SRbVSW`e]`YO\RbVSQVOZZS\USabVSg TOQS 0]bVbVSPOQYU`]c\R^O^S`O\RbVSW\bS` dWSeaO`SOdOWZOPZS]\bVS0S`YZSg1S\bS`eSP aWbS(Vbb^( eee PS`YZSgQS\bS` US]`USb]e\ SRc 5S]`USb]e\C\WdS`aWbg 9ObVS`W\S;O`aVOZZ ?ObO`5S]`USb]e\C\WdS`aWbg @SUW]\OZAbcRWSaAQV]]Z]T4]`SWU\AS`dWQSW\ ;SV`O\9O[`OdO 1]1]\dS\S`a( @SZWSTE]`ZReWRS 6O\g3Z0O\\O 2SdSZ]^[S\b0O\Y /hVO`W5OaW[/V[SR 9Sg\]bSa^SOYS`a( [S\bW\bVS;caZW[e]`ZR >O`bWQW^O\baW\QZcRSR( ?ObO`QO[^ca]\2SQS[PS` % % >O`bWQW^O\baSf^Z]`SRb`S\RaO\R^]ZWQgWaacSaW\d]ZdW\Ua]QWOZRSdSZ]^17@AVSZROROgZ]\Uag[^]aWc[W\2]VO?ObO`Ob5S]`USb]e\C\WdS`aWbg¸aAQV]]Z]T4]`SWU\AS`dWQS BVS0S`YZSg1S\bS`T]`@SZWUW]\>SOQSO\RE]`ZR/TTOW`aO\RbVS1S\bS`T]`7\bS`\ObW]\OZO\R@SUW]\OZAbcRWSa 1]T]c\RS`O\R>`SaWRS\b7aZO[WQ 1S\bS`T]`7\bS`\ObW]\OZO\R AS\W]`4SZZ]e0S`YZSg1S\bS` 4/7B AS\W]`3Q]\][Wab7aZO[WQ 6 7< A G;>= A >7 @ A 32= 7 C ;=<5:=0/:23D3:=>;3SbS`aS\ 5S]`USb]e\C\WdS`aWbg ;SZ]Rg4]f/V[SR /[OR]c1WaaS >O`bWQW^O\baW\bS`dWSeSRPcb\]b^`SaS\b( /ZWGc`baSdS` ;]hOV0W\b ! 03@9:3G13 " work of organizations that in diverse ways are inspired are ways diverse in that organizations of work !e world. Muslim the and involved organizations the Diversity was an about often both repeated observation generally appreciated. of Muslim communities are so great—far greater than is economic development and the humanitarian demands tions matter deeply because the challenges of social and organiza various the of roles world. the and Muslim tensions ese the ! in working organizations ment develop and charitable many of operations surround the backdrop tensions of that substantial contemporary 9VOZSR2WOP<]c`SRRW\S0S\[OZSYO\R>OcZ2VOZZO ? ES;SO\Pgµ4OWbV¶ BS\aW]\a:O\UcOUSO\REVOb 4`O[W\UbVS2WaQcaaW]\ e discussion was set against against set was discussion e ! discussions. 17 December the of segment first the nated domi categories and terms about uestions - - - lems that are often political in nature, at a local and and local a at nature, in political often are that lems prob accentuates work this of character and scope the of appreciation poor However, dynamic. and diverse, important, vast, is Islam to ties with organized or by The words used can have particular significance for for significance particular have can used words The legacies. historical and framing Western be with may imbued that terms especially and vocabulary to tion atten special pay to group the admonished Brodeur Patrice secular. or non-denominational or Islamic, or Muslim as communities or organizations describing of “faith- appropriateness the “faith,” and of “faith-inspired,” and based,” concepts and terms the be to should given that significance the explored group The geopolitical level. - - # 03@9:3G13 common ground, they also agreed that, without much without that, agreed also they this ground, common emphasized they though However, compatible. prime criteriaforjudgmentsby allofus. the be to need performance and Results consideration. secondary a religiousbe for should especially faith, ties, and inspiration faith their engagement; social and civic organizations, it is important first to study their level of at looking In mission. its accomplishes it how and do to out sets organization the what is question and practical significant more the Rather, organization. an of “faith”character the or faith-based,” not is or is “what about rarely are issues pressing that was consensus !e significance. its assess and “faith” this interpret others how but “faith”motivations their define organizations or individuals how not is matter the of crux e ! ity? activ other some or service, mobilization, for used is it How expressed? it is How faith? of kind questions what The are: something. in faith have must being human Every faith. in grounded and by inspired are ventures communal or institutions all ventures; all these of core the at is faith that observed Ibrahim Saad a in “western”framed perspective. as seen generally are and broad very are far, since the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) very efforts ground the on carry not Frameworkwould Development Millennium the ort, ff e and care greater - % 03@9:3G13 1VOZZS\USa]Tµ7\bS``SZWUW]ca <]c`SRRW\S0S\[OZSY C\RS`abO\RW\U¶ 6WUV1][[c\WQObW]\/cbV]`Wbg;]`]QQ] For me “Islamist” is a positive term, meaning essentially 6ORg/[`0`]]YW\Ua7\abWbcbW]\ a life lived true to the tenets of Islam. An “Integriste” is As a child growing up in Eastern Province of Saudi someone who is committed to the overall integrity of Arabia, I remember coming across in the desert an the faith—there are as many integristes in the secular ancient church that had once stood not too far from as in the religious world. An Islamist who is an “inte- where we are now. !ere were clearly previous eras of griste” would be someone who believes in the integral 53=@53B=E<C<7D3@A7BG j religious diversity. My hope is that we can return to whole of the faith but who recognizes that others may such an era. My hope is that we will have a convergence live their lives according to different beliefs. !ere is between how the role of faith is viewed in Muslim- room for dialogue and discussion. !e other, the “non- majority, Christian-majority and other countries. !at Integriste,” does not accept the alternative viewpoint. view should be: Faith is good. Faith is an asset. Faith !ey have a tendency to live in a cell, without seeing or can bring all of us—regardless of our faith traditions— accepting alternative viewpoints. closer together. In general what I prefer to do is to name and describe !e central tenant is this—how can we harness our movements as they see and describe themselves. And I see 03@9:3G13 & activities. I am keenly aware of the legacies of paternal of legacies the of aware keenly am I activities. and research my out carry I which within framework identities (Western, Christian, male, etc.) and the social multiple of set own my by conditioned is worldview or any as religion other any of Islamor far of have may I perception so in “objective,” or neutral remain can I that thinking avoid to want also I reasons. possible ideological various for not, or consciously it, of critical overly being or two Islam for the apologist an being avoid extremes: to seek I dialogue, studies Islamic interreligious in and involvement and research my In dialogue. worldview !is approach is an integral part of how I practice inter- conflicts. and cooperation of terms in both relations, how identity and powerimportant dynamics to human Finally,spaces. inclusiveunderstood those I creating of part important an therefore is people all not if number largest the include can that words Choosing solutions. of the decision-making that aims to find transformative directly affected by a problem can feel welcome and part processes that create spaces of inclusion, where all those sions and conflicts is the lack of imaginative and patient come to understand that the key to many of our ten our of many to key the that understand to come whether have I not. or articulated worldview, clearly otherwise, or religious a has everyone since dialogue, inter-worldview about talk to is solution proposed My can causegreat onbothsides. frustration multi-cultural contexts. !e resulting sense of exclusion in develop and co-exist can worldviews religious that understanding not often framework, cultural relative a to worldview religious their reduces dialogue cultural inter- that feel often commitments religious strong with people hand, other the On worldview. religious a share not do who those for difficult particularly be can dialogue Interreligious integrated. rarely two the with dialogue, interreligious others and dialogue cultural inter- practice some why explains is ! day. the won ideologies secular centuries three over where tensions, interreligious of context European Western particular “culture”of concepts “religion”and a in developed that the between tension the overcome helps that minology inter- approach this worldview dialogue. It is, I believe, a term more inclusive ter I not. are who those and religiousare they feel who those between is time our of interreligious dialogue, as I came to beyond appreciate that a central challenge looked have I years, the Over >Ob`WQS0`]RSc` C\WdS`aWbg]T;]\b`SOZ - - - >Ob`WQS0`]RSc` actively, and there is much to learn from those experi those from learn to much is there actively,and drawn were tolerance of Boundaries others. of not but somenon-Muslims (especially the“People ofthe Book), of acceptance explicit with defined, clearly quite were significantboundariesthreats.Alsonocontrol faced cal duringpluralisticthesethatwas periods, Muslim politi variousformsfactode of pluralism. commonA element of examples are there Empire Ottoman the and India, historiesof Umayyad Andalusia, early Abbasids, Mughal the In synergies. creativeremarkable to rise given have Several examples of successful tolerance in Islamic history >Ob`WQS0`]RSc` /d]WRW\UµESabS`\¶0WOa neo-liberal frameworks that frame and shape many of of many shape and frame that frameworks neo-liberal post-colonial present and colonial past to linked ism helps make this possible in a constructive way.helps makethispossibleinaconstructive approach dialogue inter-worldview An depletion. than rather enrichment mutual on competition, than rather cooperation on built future a future, erent ff di a ining imag of those including options, new and enrichment self- allows It societies. human dynamic of heart the at creativity,and lies enrichment and of source a is others to openness is ! transformation. and understanding self- on perspectives different quite up open and strate own, whichour bothcan bereal andverydi ff erent, demonthan other worldviews that is insight central my studies, and experiences personal many from Drawing my own interactionstoday, whetherIlikethemornot. C\WdS`aWbg]T;]\b`SOZ - - - - ' 03@9:3G13 j in looking at these elements of faith, using criteria of performance and looking at results. AOOR3RRW\7P`OVW[O\R;SV`O\9O[`OdO 03@9:3G13 changed. Basically men were forced by religious leaders religiousby wereforced men Basically changed. attitudes campaigns, literacy with involved be to wives their allow to duty, their as it presented leaders gious reli the when but campaigns, social in involved being and house the leaving wives their seeing about uneasy initially were men norms, traditional Given involved. starting become to them asked leaders, who Khomeini, Ayatollah with religious by led were changes The them. to open were avenues new and every changed from thing, excluded been had who women, veiled many for situation the revolution, [Iranian] the After C\WdS`aWbg]T;]\b`SOZ @]YaO\O0OV`O[WbOaV organizations. in mostofthenewer volunteers main the are women Nonetheless, women. by run are that organizations led youth modern, more the at true haveacrossI come not spectrum. the of end traditional particularly is This work. operational in involved are women many practice in administration, male a is there where even and organizations, of lot a in involved are Women separate. be to tend activities that means sexes the of separation the circles servative con generally,in More Cairo. over all branches has It mosques. of out committees, Zakat through operates and 1970s, the in up set was It women. by led is tion organiza established well and important an Egypt, In /[S`WQO\C\WdS`aWbgW\1OW`] ;]\O/bWO W\2SdSZ]^[S\b 1VOZZS\USa]T5S\RS` 5S`VO`b1S\bS` - - - - very very successful. Illiteracy dropped at a phenomenal rate. were campaigns e ! duty. religious a as seen also was For the women, learning to read and write, at mosques, participate. and house the of out go wives their let to villages and teach women about reproductive health. In who were trained to work as health workers (behvarz) in women young on centered program the areas, rural In ily planning,andaremarkable program took form. leaders were religious mobilized, issued fatwahs pressing for fam rights, health reproductive supported itself constitution !e approach. in change major a thus and in the 1980s. in !ere was recognition that Iran faced a explosion problem, population huge the specifically programs were banned. !is led to major problems and health reproductive all that result the with agreed right and left time a for !us werecritical. also spectrum the on right further were who conservatives !e programs. Shah’s the specifically and planning family of critical were !eology Liberation of form a and America Latin by largely inspired left a and Marxists when period ing interrupted by the revolution. !en, there was a confus was but successful more was University,Shirazewhich at based program, pilot a in involved were WHO and IDRC through. filter to failed message the However, aid. family,of child lots two attracted a and for pushed campaigns e ! 1980s. the into extending 1970s, the during Shah the there under programs Again, ambitious been had health. reproductive and planning ily fam for was time this at initiative important Another were faith-based. campaigns the that was success the in element major A - - - 03@9:3G13 6O\g3Z0O\\O7aZO[WQ@SZWST Islamic Relief is now preparing a policy position on gender justice and development that will guide our emergency relief and development programmes. Our work already promotes the role of women in develop- ment. As an individual, I would like to see more women working in senior positions within Islamic Relief. !e issue we need to address is that many qualified and experienced professional women tend not to apply for positions in Islamic organisations, because they are 6O\g3Z0O\\O concerned that there may be poor career prospects for them. Nevertheless, we are always looking to provide and promote opportunities for women within the urban areas, the dynamic was different. In urban areas, organisation. More broadly, we are an equal opportuni- the program relied entirely on volunteers. !e program ties employer and we are building a large and diverse 53=@53B=E<C<7D3@A7BG j was highly successful and it was entirely and intrinsi- organisation comprising qualified and experienced men cally grass roots. !e volunteers distributed condoms, and women from different faiths and backgrounds. pills, and leaflets. !e key to success was pious women Our work is complex with political, economic, and advising other pious women in the private space of moral dimensions, as well as purely technical, and the their homes. Fertility per woman dropped from 7 in the make-up of our staff should reflect the full diversity of 1970s to 2.2 in 2002; the United Nations has referred challenges and constituencies. to Iran’s performance on family planning as a miracle. However, the experience is not widely known, in part >Ob`WQS0`]RSc`C\WdS`aWbg]T;]\b`SOZ because of outside hesitations motivated by its reliance 03@9:3G13 9ObVS`W\S;O`aVOZZO\R/hVO`W5OaW[/V[SR within Islam. dialogue and debate balancing is issue the Again, case. changetowardsgreater empowermentany inwomen of and approaches such support Prophet the of teachings justiceof which arestrongso Islamin androoted thein as that blocks understanding and dialogue. !e concepts tightlytooequalitylinkequity toand is trap place.!e traditionsmust change and inmany places this istaking winners! And there is a wide recognition that the Shari`a householdprimaryaremorebread or 50% and women universitystudentsareof 60%Iran, in too:ground the on place taking are Changes societies. all to common be should and are that rights basic of recognitionsure, and be to access, of equality mean should Equality process of improving the status of women. general the down slow and misunderstandings greater izeIslam supposedlyas always patriarchal theseascreate criticalWesternofbe to need approachesessential that great a also is !ere roles. of complementarity around - !finding,iscontests leastatthesurface,on theidea of similar preachers include highvery numbers of women. and EgyptianKhaled theAmr preacher byinspired TV In both Jordan and Egypt, the youth new organizations AbcRWSaC\WdS`aWbg]T1]^S\VOUS\ 2S^O`b[S\b]T1`]aaQcZbc`OZO\R@SUW]\OZ ;O`WS8ccZ>SbS`aS\O\RAO`O:SWA^O``S tends tobelessconfrontational, lessproblematic. it temperaments; their suit to seems work !is women. to the family, the more leadership and actors tend to be is issue the closer e ! see engaged. you actively more women and concerned, are charity, order, that and in welfare development, education, where Thus, involved. are women more the move, you space family the to in lies closer the that state, the space and family public the between the as society civil see you If /`OP2S[]Q`OQg1S\bS` AOOR3RRW\7P`OVW[ the passive and oppressed Muslim woman, replacing it replacing woman, Muslimoppressed and passive the ! 03@9:3G13 with an image of the Muslim woman as active and inde- tions, women also make up a large part of participants. pendent. !ese young women are resourceful university Here, though, their participation is often confined to students or graduates. !ey are not engaged in what are rather traditional ‘female’ activities—like child care, typically regarded as ‘female’ professions like teaching courses in housekeeping and family matters, or teaching. and nursing. Instead, they study marketing, engineer- In the new youth organizations, there seemed to be no ing, medicine and IT, and they work as financial advis- difference between ‘female’ and ‘male’ activities. Women ers, doctors and project managers. A few of them are are in charge of IT education, they organize human 53=@53B=E<C<7D3@A7BG j housewives but they also are well-educated. Most are resource management courses, and they negotiate with from the middle or even upper class, often from secular potential donors—just as men do. As such, the youth or very liberal Muslim homes. organizations offer the young women a spacious place with plenty of room for manoeuvre and fewer restrictive In this segment of the population, the role of women norms and expectations than elsewhere in society. does not seem to be a highly contested issue—at least not judging from our interviews with participants in the By introducing such gender practices to a Muslim con- organizations. Issues of women’s rights and gender equal- text, the young women in the new youth organizations ity simply did not come up very often. Apparently, the present an image of the Muslim woman as someone who 03@9:3G13 " It was obvious to us that women in both kinds of orga of kinds both in women Itthat us obviousto was She wants themtobeindependentandself-sufficient. But she does not want them to be dependant on a man. work. to them teaching trouble this all through going of instead off married girls the get to try not does she is hoping for. She told me that people often ask her why director the what exactly is empowerment of kind !is knows her rights, and she knows what she is capable of. she Now activities. organization’s the in participating started she before lost was she that me told prostitutes, other to counsellor a as working One now women, the of prostitutes. to training vocational and mation infor health offers women, middle-aged of group a by run organization, Another do. can men anything do can they that women teaches explicitly which Can,” “Womencalled program a in engaged are beneficiaries independence. In one organization, female teachers and personal and economic women’s promoting further, even women’sassociations—goes local them of many organizations— of group small A study. girls the let to them convince to trying by uncles) and fathers the (often education girls’ oppose who beneficiaries their among those challenge constantly they and this, port staff members openly criticise Muslims who do not sup girls and women, and an important part of Islam. Many all for right indisputable an is education that agree to !at said, even the most conservative organisations seem port of their husbands. participationvolunteersassup thedepend oughtonto women’sthat organisationsaid one ofdirector (female) while continuously emphasizing the rights of women, the theoverall discourse about women’s rights. For instance, Finally,manypeople’s personal opinions conflicted with marriage. and hygiene, kitchen good motherhood,topics like addressing lectures and cooking, and making Vocationalflowerarranging,trainingfocusesonbasket- roles. gender traditional challenge than rather sustain organizationstheactivities inoffthe ered of manyAlso, have a policy of only hiring women who wear headscarves. almostnodirectors are women, andmany organizations to the youth organizations, very few board members and alwaysaccord with this discourse. First ofall, incontrast inherent part of Islam. But we found that practices do not arguedthat women’s rights can and should be seen as an arenot necessarily atodds with each other. Instead, they women’s rights and Islam that us to explaining them, womenand Islam, and they were very eager to challenge - - - - When I asked about political activity or relation or activity political about asked I When /[S`WQO\C\WdS`aWbgW\1OW`] ;]\O/bWO 2SdSZ]^[S\bE]`Y >]ZWbWQaO`]c\R ;]\O/bWO protective mechanism. a as largely politics, from themselves distancing of job good a do Organizations tolerated. or desirable not is work social with politics combining that message clear practice obviously varies. But the government has in sent a means that What apolitical.” are “we categorically said organization single every government, with ships shut hismouth. him made !at them?” helping of instead poor the on back my turn should Muslim, good a as I, that saying “Arehim: to said youshe then But organisation. the in meetings to night at out going didn’ther husband like her that us told woman One activities. women’sorganizational the in point the see don’t who parents and husbands sceptical against argument heavy a as Islam in actively society.participates use concretealso women level,many very Ona and independent woman Muslim strong, is good A participation. and erment empow for tool a as Islam interpret and use nizations 5S`VO`b1S\bS` - - # 03@9:3G13 $ of providing solutions to the countries’ problems. As As problems. countries’ the to solutions providing of authoritarian—incapable and illegitimate corrupt, as system political formal the see ey ! generation. older the and regime the by processes decision-making excluded from and marginalized feel simply ey ! is option. an not participation political formal Egypt, and Jordan as such counties in people young many for But distribution ofsecond-handclothes. and campaigns donation blood like activities social less harm into them luring scene, political the from actors potential diverting by participation, hinder political could formal these like organizations that conclude even might One influence. gain to channels political formal using in interest no take they and injustice, cal to social injustices and moral wrongs rather than politi answer an as participation their see people young e ! engagement. political formal of lack explicit an by ized character are organizations the form, current their In pation orsitesforpoliticallyharmlesssocialactivities? partici political formal for grounds breeding nizations orga Muslimyouth new the Are level. structural more a at have will this effect what is question difficult !e for university students and blood donation campaigns. coursesdevelopment human to programsmicrofinance andpeople poor toclothes handseconddistribution of and collection renaissance—from this to contribute to activities of range wide a in engage people young the level, concrete a On world. Muslim the of renaissance ger Muslim individual, but a stronger Muslim society—a engage in this change. !e overall goal is not only a stron ------Participation in organizations associated with political political with associated organizations in Participation a relevant waytogaininfluence. as politics formal in participation see not do they such, tion andengagement insociety. participa relativelyfor regime,creatinga freespace the organisations, theyoung peopleavoid harassmentfrom rights human example for than language sensitive less politically a welfare,using social and of field the within working By interesting.” more also but cult ffi di more It’stogether. work and together decide together, think to members all for ways find to try we teams, in work “We said: girl One thinking. strategic and work, team thinking, critical techniques, argumentation as such engagement—skills political to essential char as be acterized can that skills strengthen they Meanwhile, politics. formal than rather welfare social and Islam of framework a within so do ! ey volunteerism. and tice, jus social participation, youthabout talk organizations Muslim the rights, political and reform democracy, of and forms Insteadparticipation. channels ofvocabulary using a of different on insisting by system political dysfunctional the challenges that engagement—one political of kind new a of expressions be may nizations orga youth Muslim new the background, this Against way toodangerous. as organizations these in engagement see many regime, the with conflicts frequent and activities political itly and ‘Western’ in their approach. Because of their explic secularist too as organizations such view ey ! people. young these to alternativeattractive an not is nizations, women’sand rights orga human secular like lobbying, ------% 03@9:3G13 2S[]Q`OQgO\R1WdWZA]QWSbg where near as many as in Egypt. !ey take many forms. W\bVS;caZW[E]`ZR Some are institutionalized, but many are not—they are thus largely invisible from an official perspective. It is <]c`SRRW\S0S\[OZSY also very difficult to pinpoint which have religious affili- 6WUV1][[c\WQObW]\/cbV]`Wbg;]`]QQ] ations or even inspiration and which do not, because this is rarely reported or even discussed openly. What !ere is an important dynamic happening with sufi you are seeing is especially more focus on and work 53=@53B=E<C<7D3@A7BG associations across Morocco. !ere are religious currents j for traditional charity, though even that is affected by that are shaping many of the political parties, Islamist the mood of post May 16. For example, at this season and other (PJD, MUR etc). In terms of the sufi brother- of sacrifice, it was traditional to collect the fleeces of hoods, many are forming associations that are working slaughtered sheep, going house to house, to distribute both in rural areas and in the suburbs (banlieux). Some them to poor families, as a way of providing some of what they do is quite traditional charity, along quite shared benefits. !at has been stopped. conventional lines– thus, building schools, hospitals, storage facilities, university housing. Some of this is Sufism is very deeply rooted and it is growing and individual but much is done through small groups. I see changing. I have done some research about how Sufism 03@9:3G13 & the caseinpractice. always not is this but patriarchal, very be to appear can systems these of many outside, the from that, is ment communities, to name but two). !e point of my argu Mohawktraditional and (Berber visible or direct not is this power,though of exercise the in role major women a play where societies tribal as well as example, for Indonesia in exist, do societies tribal Matriarchal chal. Such structures, oftentribal,are notnecessarilypatriar politics. of timeandcompetitive party with groups contingencies the transcend that commitment protecting genuine roles, such play to systems electoral term short within work who leaders political Western for challenging always is It societies. tribal in especially responsibility, and authority link that tions tradi long on builds leadership political to approach other is ! societies. and circumstances specific in role critical a play can leadership, of area her live or his who within people the all of improvement daily the in responsibility that manifests and feels who and people her or his for responsibility non-paternalistic of sense a has truly who leader strong a that appreciate also can I upon which Western notionsofdemocracyrely. individuality of norm the than approaches communal one vote as very important. I also see openings for more bringing and social location the principle of one person, up- my of because myself for hold I context. social the These systems. forms may not always be the best option, depending on electoral parliamentary, of terms in only defined be not need and not Democracy…should >Ob`WQS0`]RSc` local. In general,though,theirfocusisvery help provide then. !ey operate both at and the national and local levels. times school to back the on focus also ey ! sacrifice). for sheep for (now, provide they festivals example, are there when and Ramadan in especially families, poor to help material provide !ey hospitals. public the in treatment get to people poor allow that coupons give ey ! doctors. volunteer with sick, the for works association e ! group. social and the party, indirectly.but religiousPJD, a as itself describes it And political the with associated also is it that work.wellButknownsocial is does it groupthat social a is !is to. referring was I that social and political of tion to highlight, as it has the kind of complex blending organiza good a be might Salaam As Association !e C\WdS`aWbg]T;]\b`SOZ - - - - e ! enterprises. business and households consumers, development. Local values determine the preferences of IDB understands the relevance of local values for global the institution, financing development based faith a As /[OR]c1WaaS power dynamics in our present period of human history. thatthese local heritages toooften fall prey totheglobal theirrespective colorsforms.andchallenge !e todayis shape to histories regional various of diversity rich allow the to as so leadership collective and individual of understanding pluralistic a need We system. only the be not need politics party “modern”political short, In takesthegroundon remains, opinion,myin secondary. contemporary“goodnotionof governance”; itform the comespracticesthencloseit,itto valuesthe behind the leadershipor achievessystemend,a thisthatextent the real ground. thecommunitythe societyToonand the ofneeds meeting of test the is important more Even itively, but most have ignored the call or have become have or call the ignored have most itively,but nance. Some rulers, not very many, have responded pos gover participatory more achieve to and democratize regionto the in abovepressure aims put rulers to on all organizations) similar of number a of that joins (which world. !e main ongoing activity for me and my center Arab in activities society civil several in engaged am I /`OP2S[]Q`OQg1S\bS` AOOR3RRW\7P`OVW[ of corporate governance. practices best and business responsible socially of principles the by governed are activities !ese ICIEC. and ICD as such groups specialized as well as ce, ffi O Banks Islamic the Complex, Operations its sector by led are private the in activities IDB’s The countries. and communities their of process development the in participate to them enable to worldwide communities Muslim in capacities institutional and educational ing develop at aimed is which Program, Scholarship the as well as IDB the of Program Assistance Special the as known program a under managed is community development for society civil with partnership IDB’s and nationalpolicymakersasthekeystakeholders. parties private institutions, society civil with work to edge-based global economy. In this process, the IDB has knowl our of challenge important an is development of process the in aspirations local these of integration 7aZO[WQ2SdSZ]^[S\b0O\Y - - - - ' 03@9:3G13 53=@53B=E<C<7D3@A7BG under clearly democratic regimes. !ese regimes are far j from perfect, far from mature or established. But they do have elected governments, functioning parliaments, and alternating regimes. !at does leave one third that do not live under such regimes. It happens that most are in the Arab world. We have to explain that. !e exploration of why takes us to other, also important and interesting and highly debatable questions. It is well worth the effort to raise and frame 03@9:3G13 ;O`WS8ccZ>SbS`aS\O\RAO`O:SWA^O``S 2S^O`b[S\b]T1`]aaQcZbc`OZO\R@SUW]\OZ AbcRWSaC\WdS`aWbg]T1]^S\VOUS\ Our year long research project on Islam and civil society organizations in Jordan and Egypt is summarized in Islam and Civil Society: Case Studies from Jordan and Egypt, (it can be downloaded from the website www. diis.dk). The project was anchored at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) and financed by the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. rize civil society organisations based on preconceived preconceived on based organisations society civil rize characteristic, and it makes little, if any,ambiguous sense to catego an is religiosity words, other In together. them binds that factor unifying a not religiosityis their such, As beliefs. religious and constituencies structure, activities, their to regard with things other among ing er ff di organizations, of variety wide a of consist but do not constitute a homogenous group of organizations organizations society civil Muslim that demonstrated clearly study Our area. the in policies and initiatives concrete guide understanding this let to also but eties, soci civil Eastern Middle in Muslimactors of field the It is not crucial only to understand the heterogeneity of organizations. religious with partnerships and cooperation practical of desirability and feasibility the of policy-makers and NGOs among discussions current to input an as serve can report the that hope We society. civil and Islam of analyses theoretical lofty than rather these, in plays roleIslamthe and organizations society civil existing of examples providingconcrete at aimed we practitioners, and academics both among field, relativelyuncharted a is this Since Egypt. Jordanand in organizations society civil of studies throughMiddlecase societies in Eastern actors Muslim and Islam of role the of understanding and knowledge nuanced more goal a to overall contribute to was project’s our background, this Against than their(in)famouspoliticalcounterparts. of public religious engagement in dimension Middle Eastern societies important more possibly and broader much a represent organizations such conspicuous, less youth NGOs, clubs, health clinics and schools. Although they may be development associations, charity as primarily engaged are in social but and cultural activities—such role political explicitly an play not do whom of many Muslimactors, different of range broad the at look to important was it that felt we societies, Middle Eastern in Islam of role the comprehend to order in However, movements. fundamentalist terrorist and networks radicalism, religious ideologies, Islamist as such topics on entirely almost focused have Islam on 11, work scholarly and region the of coverage media 2001, September of attacks In terror the aspects. since other particular, of ignorance complete nearly the and Islam of aspects certain on focus dominant the in expressed Islam, of simplification increasing the with felt both we unease the by motivated Weinitially were - - - =[\WO<]c` hinder orfacilitateprocesses ofdemocratisation. might organizations Muslim ways what in and stances circum what under how,where, to when, as questions asking further, step a take to need development—we of processes hindering or facilitating are organizations Muslim whether asking in point no is there such, As religiosity is an inspiration and a tool for such processes. their others in development, of processes on influence negative a exert to seems religiosity their organizations, some In development. of nega a processes on or influence positive tive a either having as organisations means that it makes no sense to categorizethis Muslim civil society instance, for development, to relation In for amore nuancedunderstandingofreligious actors. ways gressive or conservative. Instead, we have to ask religiosity. their of Religious organizations are not per se good or bad, pro significance the of assumptions the organizations are religious, thereby opening up in what - - - 03@9:3G13 restricted to Muslims only. Itsnot intrinsic is stability features, finance Islamic finance, conventional the from it distinguishes also and it shapes which faith and ogy ideol the is finance Islamic of driver main the While and services. be financing sale and purchase/trade/exchange of goods should they but possible also are basis returnfixed a on Contracts transactions. of element central a as sharing risk in built has therefore and returns in fixity ex-ante than rather variability post ex on relies profit-sharing, is that transaction, of business mode preferred Its Islamic finance. and for foundation the which lay enforcement collectively its for framework institutional and system contract a conduct, of rules and principles stakeholders, for obligations elaborate by supported property to right tenets, the of recognize others, set among which is elaborate It and rich system. a by Islamic the accompanied of part is finance Islamic /[OR]c1WaaS individual. !istheresponsibilityearth. ofevery ofwhat isgiven tothembyto begoodtrustees God on life, appreciatePeople to lives. thankful, our be to need hard and giving blessings for the small and large gifts in working requires purpose human our of expectation God’s to up To live separated. or distinguishable never fully two the wealth, spiritual and material both in life, and, as its purpose is to make the community grow human to central is work that principle the in rooted Muslimthat rememberis areto societies point key !e countries andMuslim intellectualcircles beyond. Muslim majority contemporary various in underway currently is finance and wealth of reexamination thinking and critical Much practice. in means this what on circles Islamic within debate much is there though sharing, is and benefits spreading of theory notion this on in built approach Islamic the where interest, of discussions into enter themes ese ! ones. producing non-oil versus countries majority oil-producing across as well as years, recent in countries Muslim majority affected also have poor and rich between disparities the weak and suffering in Islamic societies (zakat), although the of care special take to mechanism built-in a also is !ereof. use good made be to needs that gold of pot a as a whole (fructifier, to use the French term). Wealth is yield its true fruits for the common benefit of the society must it good; common the for used be to needs wealth 7aZO[WQ2SdSZ]^[S\b0O\Y - 6O\g3Z0O\\O areas ofphilanthropy andMuslim endowments. eral contemporary adaptations of his practice, including sev has also that tradition, and history in rich country a of example fascinating a is Morocco practice. porary contem and history both of reflection a are countries, or endowments, charitable of forms erent ff di many e ! philanthropy. on action and thinking Muslima about in literature, large reflected well history, extraordinary an is ere ! /`OP2S[]Q`OQg1S\bS` AOOR3RRW\7P`OVW[ the financialinstitutions. on discipline financial higher induces and protection interest attracts everybody as it offers superior consumer Shariah rules regarding fair play, justice, and avoiding of of application the ensuring of rigorous terms in regulation self investment, ethical on emphasis Its creed. and faith any of restriction without all to opportunity along with emphasis on just and equitable returns, offer habbous, as they are known in some some in known are they as - - ! 03@9:3G13 " erent departments and a number a and differentdepartments many with zation, organi large very a is Solidarity Social of Ministry !e the environment. in change major a as marker9/11 important that not is the So guidelines. new of kinds all are ere! notified. be must Solidarity Social of Ministry Egyptian the and ministry, the through go must funding international all way that is the new is in What ground. the on changes worked things many that not were there that meant measures new the So created. been already had bureaucracy large A existed. already that security and activity political about concerns around turning lance, surveil of level additional an added just really found it that I but work, charitable ecting ff a was terror on war the how about questions with started research My /[S`WQO\C\WdS`aWbgW\1OW`] ;]\O/bWO O\RAca^WQW]\ 1VOZZS\USa]TAc`dSWZZO\QS even improving society.perhaps and people, the of lives the improving to contribute to wish genuine a by driven be to seems participation everybody, almost for least, not but Last activities do appear to take place in a few organizations. missionary however, practice, In cially.ffi o not least at their involvement in social welfare activism in this light, see to seemed nobody and Islam, about others inform to da’wa,duty mention the Notmany heaven. in place activities becomes a way of pleasing God and ensuring a 5S`VO`b1S\bS` - - e committees that work work that committees e ! waqf. or Endowment, of Ministry the especially organizations, relevant other are there And functions. bureaucratic distinct quite of service provision, and much more in overseeing the the overseeing in more much and provision, service social in directrole a playing involvedin less and less is it as mandate, changed a reflects name new its Affairs, Social of Ministry the as known Formerly and pensions. security social handles also it and directly, vices ser social providing in involved much was Social Solidarity of Ministry the past, the In also. of government organizations the in change considerable is ere ! society interests totheministries. civil some represents which union NGO the is tance impor of organization Another Bank. Islamic Faisal with bank people many banking, Islamic For larger. as a social bank it has since grown into something much conventional loans. Although it was established in 1971 and needy, scholarships to students in addition to more poor the bank—providingto social interestfreeloans a fact in is it bank, Islamic an as this identifies literature the of some Although 1971. in established Egypt, in bank free interest first the was Bank Social Nasser !e they example administer interest for free loans to government employees. activities, its of part small a that just is committees; Zakat the for accounts the hold it as significant also is Bank Social Nasser e ! between. fall that organizations and mechanisms are there And solidarity. Social of Ministry the to report nizations) orga (Non-governmental associations of Endowments; Ministry the to report and considered waqf in are engaged be to committees, zakat mosques, of out - - - # 03@9:3G13 activities of non profit organizations. !ey see them- Ministry collects more information than they can really selves as overseeing but also helping with information process. Egypt is still largely a cash economy. So there sharing and communications. are lots of problems. Most donations are given in cash, in boxes, not by checks, nor with credit card numbers. Surveillance is based on Law 83 of 2002, which out- Much charity is informal and difficult to document. lines a whole set of regulations. !ey include a detailed !ere are a host of incentives for things to be done outline of the registration process, including the underground. 53=@53B=E<C<7D3@A7BG j specification that the organization must have at least ten members; it gives the Ministry the right to research who 6O\g3Z0O\\O7aZO[WQ@SZWST the members are, and the right to accord them status. Organizations report back annually, need to have quar- In the immediate aftermath of 9/11 allegations were terly meetings, notify the ministry about any public made that some Muslim NGOs had links with terrorist meetings, notify the Ministry and receive permission organisations. !ey were closed down and had their to receive foreign funds. !ere are many mechanisms funds sequestered. After prolonged investigation some embedded in the bureaucratic systems, designed to were subsequently found to be completely innocent keep track of the roughly 23,000 organizations (though while others were closed down for their alleged links. 03@9:3G13 $ /PRcZZOV/Z\O[SV and security officials were involved. Islamic Relief serves Indonesia,wherein workshopsfinancial been also have Kuwait.in organisations large !ereinvolvingten ency transpar and finance to relating issues discuss to shop and external sources. We also recently organized internal a work from funds charitable of use transparent and that can be used in the Middle East to guarantee honest the UK, we are developing a framework and procedures in support governmental with and UK) the in isations body that oversees the work of non-governmental organ (the Commission Charities the and ency.Oxfam With transpar and accountability for organisations within capacity and framework legal the both strengthening on now particularly focusing areWe East. Middle the in topic this on discussions of series a from returned We are still working on this issue, and indeed I recently the sufferingofpoorcommunitiesaround theworld. an effect this injection of cash would have on alleviating being distributed. It is not difficult to imagine how great not is poor the of aid immediate the to go could which dollars of billions potentially that is result e ! poor. the reaching of method reasonable a offer and genuine “fundraisers”to giving informal appear of who amount the increases and means legitimate using poor the to - - - - help the needy but are blocked from doing so. I am not to able be develop.Peopleto not want will society civil strong a altogether.them However,operate without to small organisations and the danger is that they will cease and prosecuted. !ose who are most affected tend to be questioned be will they afraid are they as cheques write to reluctant are People transactions. business through disguised be can control—transfers to hard very but problematic is sums large transferring and cash in ity char to giving people of model e ! objectivity. more with flows regulate to is aim e ! work. development and money where this is a serious moving impediment to humanitarian and in problems significant still are the there where Qatar, Arabia Saudi and Kuwait, Emirates, as Arab United such Gulf, the in countries donor large the upon arefocusing Ongoingdiscussions working withwestern organisations. and as an Islamic organization that has been effective in as a model because of its success in addressing the issues, it remains asensitive area. ButIslamism. in aspects positive the to looked also has He concerned. are issues social where arguments own equilibrium withtheIslamists, tomeetthemwiththeir positive a find to been has approach His them. about to social policies. He focuses on the poor and talks often priority higher giving and interest active more far a ing tak environment, social the change to worked has He king. became VI Mohammed since lot a changed has situation overall the background, the of part first a As directly on the laws in force. dependuse criteriawe !people.e young especiallyfor television, and radio on content dangerous on is focus children(pornography) publicorsafety (terrorism). !e with a view to control those that are dangerous, either to communications,overseeto beenresponsibility has my life, new my Incountries. other in as well Franceas in tions. !ere is a comparable body of law and institutions communicaon implementinglawswithcharged the is nication. [!e position] reports directly to the King, and commuvisualaudio was which area new a workingin Authority,CommunicationHigh the joined I 2005 In 6WUV1][[c\WQObW]\/cbV]`Wbg;]`]QQ] <]c`SRRW\S0S\[OZSY urgent issue. sure how this work will evolve but it continues to be an - - - - % 03@9:3G13 & and now also sells plastic boxes so people can do same same do can people so boxes plastic sells also now and successful, very is It nationwide. and Cairo around all network distribution a runs now which volunteers, of lots with association, an ect ff e in network, a launched ort day. ff e e ! next the distributed and up boxed they They which away. food, donate to them asking hotels, the to thrown went was food leftover Most events. hotel other and receptions wedding large from food of waste large the of note took ey ! organization. secular a as largely today operates but and concerned families motivation the the of sense the in Islamic as began It example. interesting an is Bank Food Egyptian e ! different way. “charity,”still senses a many in in done is Itbut calves. it after neighbor a to cowcow, a a give family they and a gives that program a is !erefollowthrough. and ing land or material goods. !ey might provide some train of parcel a buy providesite, might a they model, newer the In needs. meet or it start to loan a them given have might organization Traditionally,an kiosk. a open to sufficient lifestyles. Say someone from a rural area wants self- support to mechanisms or tools gives organization the Instead, Lebanon). in in so more widely is it (though Egypt practiced longer no is This loans. free est inter give to used charities traditional example, For ity, but they are doing something a bit more innovative. “middle”the in organizations char the do Mostof still are livingtheIslamic ideal. they time same the at organization and skills business leadership, in skills own their building themselves see who youth involve and erent, ff di very look nizations - - - b]^( OP]dS( /hVO`W5OaW[/V[SRO\R6O\g3Z0O\\O 9ObVS`W\S;O`aVOZZ) ' 03@9:3G13 with leftovers. !ey have developed a similar program mid 1980s. !e images of starving people shocked me, for distributing meat after the Islamic holiday of Eid. like people around the globe, profoundly. I was struck !ey have seen that food is not the only problem, by the response of many in the West to the crisis, for and have started to create networks in other areas, for example the campaigning and advocacy of the singer example youth clothing, and housing is on the way, Bob Geldof—at one concert he raised many mil- !is is changing and developing fast, before our eyes. lions of pounds in a single evening. I visited Sudan in December 1983, and was shocked to see with my own 53=@53B=E<C<7D3@A7BG j eyes the suffering there. I decided then that I had to do 6ORg/[`0`]]YW\Ua7\abWbcbW]\ something about it. It was a challenge for Muslims and From the Islamic Development Bank whose offices I non-Muslims alike. So I came back with my story and have visited in Jeddah, to faith-based social movements photos and began speaking and working to raise money in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, there are a wide range of in Egypt, the United Kingdom and beyond. I presented approaches. Faith-based social movements are powerful it as a moral issue, and our response as a duty, not just for forces of humanity. !ey can and should be harnessed for Muslims and Christians, but every single human being. the better. !e questions that should be put to the Muslim It is an issue of basic responsibility. political-social-faith-based movements like the charitable 03@9:3G13 Islamic Relief employs several thousand people working 6O\g3Z0O\\O7aZO[WQ@SZWST from 35 international offices. We are organised to work [We started Islamic Relief because of] the famines and in four main sectors: water and sanitation, health and food shortages that affected Ethiopia and Sudan in the nutrition, building sustainable livelihoods, and orphan ! involve both the exchange and the care economies and economies care the and exchange the both involve ey ! based. locally very and complex are systems e ! ways ofempowering themselves. at poor Islamist women as victims. !ey have their own sphere. I have concluded that it is a real mistake to look women translates into important empowerment in their by run system parallel !is women. by others but men by run some though, mosques, the through work that systems erent ff di are ere ! values institutions. religious religious and to connected tightly is system This also know how to getit. they money,and needs who know they as information the have ey ! stakeholders. community and families with work ey ! role. important the play who women is it And beneficiary. the of dignity the preserve also and helpful directly are that ways in operate !ey tion. distribu and raising are fund both at groups effective remarkably the and charity as raised are funds ese ! to raise some $2000 for an eye operation for a member. able was example, an as group, one there was I When purposes. social for funds of amounts huge raising in involved are neighborhoods income low Womenfrom largely unknown. !atismyarea offocus. remains works it how and dimensions its but Iran, in operates that net safety social huge the identified has shadow parallel separate, economy in Iran today. As an example, the largely World Bank large, a is There C\WdS`aWbg]T;]\b`SOZ @]YaO\O0OV`O[WbOaV and theBritish government. UnionEuropean the as such donors institutional from assistance receive also we However, States. United the Unitedthe fromFrance Kingdom, particularly but and world, the around all individuals from donations vate pri small relatively from comes financing our of Most ing emergencyrelief region intheDarfur since2004. Muslims alike in South Sudan and we and have been providChristians both with working in pride great take where Islamic Relief began working many years ago. We and Palestine. One of our largest operations is in Sudan, Pakistan, Indonesia, are work emergency our for focus of areas major the present At disasters. natural or flict con by affected areas in relief emergency providing in involved much very also are we course Of sponsorship. - - - - @]YaO\O0OV`O[WbOaV initiatives. ! is reflected inacademicwork. development roots grass based faith overlooking to led has this and religion against academics in bias implicit an is !ere systems. the understanding and researching culty ffi di have they and elite, the from class, are middle researchers Most documented. and known little are that women involve that systems informal the is It researched. and known well quite are and significant and microcredit enterprise systems tend to be male dominated. !ey are established and formal more The tems ofrotating credit withingroups. sys are ere! loans. free interest meaning techniques, finance Islamic use explicitly they cases most In banks. of use to transactions support to mosques the on ance of variety reli wide to basis cash a a from ranging techniques, financing and continuum broad a is There are There systems ofrotating credit, forexample. it. about information the of none almost capture they and planners the of heads the over place takes this of all Almost kin. and family on based are - - ! 03@9:3G13 There are real parallels with liberation theology approaches in many settings, among them Lebanon, where it is easy to miss seeing the important role that religion plays for the poor and thus to fail to understand the appeal of an organization like Hizbollah. Again, there is a wide spectrum of networks, from very small and informal to large, complex and networked. !e pattern I have observed most often is that a group 9VOZSR2WOP will form in a particular neighborhood, among people who have come from a specific village or smaller city. As in Turkey, there is great hesitation to recognize the !ey tend to settle together and use their own dialect and networks. Today there is wide use of the phone 53=@53B=E<C<7D3@A7BG role that religion plays, and a major role of class which j introduces barriers. Under the Shah this was explicit including cell phones. !ere is a lot of gathering, so and very widespread but it is still very significant today. that the women in the community know how everyone !e result is that there is very little research involving is doing. !e communities are closely knit. !is gives low income communities and about the role that reli- them special strength in their access to fundraising in cities. In these large cities, there are many who do not gion plays there. !ere is still a huge residual of secular get services. traditions. !is applies obviously to the diaspora popu- lations but also to people living today in Iran. One neighborhood where I am working has a major drug and prostitution economy. It is interesting that 03@9:3G13 ! ey may have no shop no have may !ey agents. estate as there working also are women that learned I community one in but hairdressers,all- are example One trades. economic important female of array wide a is ere ! events. these around together comes that activity economic much is !ere network. and eat to together come women !us wider circles. !ey are becoming a bit trendy. are so beautiful and moving that they are catching on in they And parties. Islamic ect ff e in are ey ! festivities. establishedreligiousmorehave women income low the exercise and they are more inclined to be sufi in type but spiritual a as festivities religious these perform to tend singing, sufi songs, drums, and candles. !e middle class sometimes is there andKoran, the recitewomen, other for them lead Women celebrations. and festivals these A development I am witnessing is an increasing focus on many festivals, specific. Shia, generalandvery are ere ! festivals. religious and through mosque the to other going each about learn Women exchange. information informal of role gathering the serve these are and places mosques the that is role main schools the into but turned are Some mosques. the around place take activities Many support. economic of lots includes !is them. around activities of host a is there and branches women’s and men’s have mosques e ! within organizationsandintheprofessions also. women because it gives room for women to have power, NGOs flourish. ! e women’s system does offer some real advantages for Iran, in continues that segregation 6O\g3Z0O\\OO\R=[\WO<]c` ey run run !ey forms. of variety wide a take that sellers, and consumers both of market huge a is there but office or But they also prize and advance modern education. education. modern advance and prize also they But tradition. in rooted deeply Muslim, Sunni movement clearly The is activities. of range wide a in cessful sucremarkablybeen has thatorganization large a is It the organization led by Gus Dur (Abdurahman Wahid). important example is the Nahdatul Ulama in Indonesia, Anotherwork. they where on communities,depending to messages Western their secular audiences as present well as They both Sunni andwealth. Shi’I of value the enhance and peoplelocal withnetworks build to funds use !ey non-sectarian. are activities and services their and on making the best use of all resources, stressing that excellenceon focus also !ey others.principles,among Islamic core these incorporates which basis ethical an from works It organization. international remarkable a as out stands Network Development Khan Aga e ! >Ob`WQS0`]RSc` importance. special on takes economy informal the high so is ment unemploy where Iran In survival. and charity about mostly is it communities poor in though picture, the big business involved when the middle class comes into and money huge is !ere segregation. sexual to related much very and documented little is it and important extremely is economy informal the reiterate, to us, ! processing, catering,andhairdressing are allimportant. Foodshows. fashion and example, for concerts, private C\WdS`aWbg]T;]\b`SOZ - - !! 03@9:3G13 Indonesia’s other major movement, the Muhammadiya, phenomenon, and also take care to stress that it is far is more modernist (though this distinction between more than a cancer of religious worldviews: it is very traditional and modern can obscure the complexity of obvious in secular circles too. It represents a philosophi- blending old and new in both movements). cal framework of analysis rooted in a particular episte- mology, one that essentially holds that the only reality, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Egyptian brotherhood are the only truth, is the one that I see and hold, interpreted examples of movements with a strong Islamic ethos, through literalist and essentializing hermeneutics. !is 53=@53B=E<C<7D3@A7BG j with an Islamically-inspired sense of working for social reduces greatly the complexity of many issues today welfare and justice. It is a real tragedy that in the West to a point of often simplistic binary opposition that we can barely distinguish between all of them, with only fuel fears and miscomprehensions, expanding the their various branches and leanings often changing vicious cyclones of intolerance that legitimize, for some, and reflecting the fluidity of much of these Islamist the use of various forms of violence. movements. !ey often provide vital responses to social needs in ways that can not be reduced simply to politi- /[OR]c1WaaS7aZO[WQ2SdSZ]^[S\b0O\Y cal manipulation. Unless their many grievances in the face of today’s injustices are recognized as valid, which !e IDB is a unique multilateral development financing 03@9:3G13 !" /cRWS\QS[S[PS` lenges ofachievingtheMDGs. chal the meet to work we as time same the at society civil of role the strengthen to revived be to need will charity) voluntary and (compulsory Awqaf and Zakah as such institutions key !e faith. the by provided are that motivations and institutions of treasure rich a is there time, same the at but, challenges faces IDB e ! Goals. Millennium poverty,of line Unitedby the Nations benchmarked as the under fall that poor of the of poorest the aspirations of millions the meet to IDB the for be will stage next the for challenges e ! 1440H. Vision its development through human comprehensive of concept the of framework the the within reached itself has repositioning of IDB stage the present, At changed. challenges has these of nature the years, the Over tions. institu likeminded its and IDB the of activity niche a as considered was which finance Islamic of area the into come to participants diverse motivated also have and challenges the overtaken have opportunities those with a number of As opportunities. the time has passed, together bundled were challenges these Nonetheless, - - ing financial sector development. In addition to national thatisrequired forsound financial services andpromot architectureinfrastructurebuildingtheand workingon thepopulation. Furthermore, specialized institutions are segmentsofvarious to financialservices of typesall ing managingover trilliona USdollars inassets and provid world, the over all jurisdictions all almost in working vate sectors. !ere are now over 300 financial institutions forfinancing development projects inthe social and pri utilizedbe canfinancingthat of innovatingmodes new was challenge primary whose institution financial only the was itoperation1975, starteditsinIDB the When its membercountriesinachievingtheMDGs. in community international the of orts ff e the support to Fund Solidarity Islamic the established recently also has leadership e ! institutions. liated ffi a of number a and entities specialized five of Group a as develop it to allowing entity, single a as IDB the supported has members Group IDB the of leadership political e ! However, there is a serious concern about significant significant about concern serious a is there However, hunger.from suffering people of number the reducing on and MDGs related health major are achieving of track the countries member IDB Many countries. ber critical, perennial issues currently facing the IDB mem most the are etc. mortality, child health, reducing as education, such in welfare human of improvements aspects and important reduction poverty are at that aimed (MDGs) eight Goals The Development nations. Millennium developed least world’s the of half represent also IDB of countries member 56 e ! the Shariah. with compliance in development financing institution rated AAA an is IDB the Indeed, community. global the of welfare social and economic the further to helps and competition promotes alternatives, of availability the enhances innovation financial a as finance Islamic of emergence economy,the global the in time present this At development. economic and trade investment, business interests of the global economy and promoting various the between cooperation economic for tunities oppor up opened has process engineering financial a as Islamicfinance of idea the of development the !us, as in financing their operations. promoting financial sector development, policies, as in well techniques financial Islamic utilizing also are tions institu financial development multilateral institutions, ------!# 03@9:3G13 !$ politicized, but it has never really abandoned the service movement. It has over time moved towards being more sufia from started which Brotherhood, Egyptian the is some concrete examples.One illustrationofmovement are ere ! ethos. spiritualist apolitical, more a towards were undoubtedly political movements that have moved what of cases some seeing are we that aware well am I versa? vice and politicized more become to continuum could organizations that started out as sufi move on that A question I am currently battling with is fungibility— very interesting exercise. a is themselves, identify they how with starting organizations, these Mapping Anatolia. in especially groups, sufi of lots find will you also there and span, geographic the of side other Turkey,reach the you on until east, move you as decrease to tends number !e Africa. sub-Saharan in movements leaning sufist also are !ere increasing. be to seem activities and number their and prevalent, more are organizations type sufi these them, among Morocco places, several In light. erent ff di this in at looked be should movements Sufi !e Hezbollah. and Hamas put would I category, this In activists. militant and political highly to way the all movements, sufi the put would I which under dencies, which starts from largely apolitical institutions and ten Here I come back very much to the continuum I traced, classifying andidentifyingthemanyinstitutions. of way a offers mapping Such work. development and involvedmuchwelfareveryareinthey hide, yet not do they which agendapolitical a organizationshave !ese - In the continuum I describe, these movements, and and movements, these describe, I continuum the In initsmissionforcharitable, philanthropic work.part, in Lebanon, Hamas in Palestine, and some Islamic Islamic some groups inand Egypt are examples. Palestine, in Hamas Lebanon, in internationaldevelopments.localand HezbollahAgain, activities,theirrespondtonature ofdirection,to the or It is also useful to remember that movements may change movement hastoandwillrespond. the charity,development, education, or do to aspire or demand members example, for If, constituencies. and their members their of needs the to cater movements these of any that recognize to important is it end, the in But, not. will which and dominate, and prevail will challenge is to see under what conditions some elements A political. or activist the towards more tend elements many how and cultural, or social, sufist, spiritual, as at looked be can that movement or organization each in are there elements what at look to is clad. useful is What iron not are definitions and categories the But Gulen in particular, are more oriented towards business. !% 03@9:3G13 !& /cRWS\QS[S[PS` to investment and systems education for failure a also was !ere Muslimcountries. majority in in only not fact, world the throughout occurred has phenomenon needs of their populations, especially in rural areas. !is nial national governments failed to serve the educational At the same time, many new or relatively new post-colo tions and universities in majority Muslim countries. Muslimtheof instituworld,rangeofincludingwide a helped created a basis for Islamist thinking in many parts have century 20th the in institutions these of many of poverty e ! thought. of schools Islamic traditional of variety the of even or Islam, about knowledge demic aca of terms in day the of standards highest the far from often was context this in provided education the Sadly,situation.this tocontributed alsowealth, private own their with individuals, wealthy Many themselves. governments the from directly come necessary not did investments these of many But Islam. ofinterpretation of kind particular a control to aspirationpolitical term long a reflect periods, extended often for supported, have they investments The worldwide. communities MuslimminorityIslamin of formown their growthof the in invest as well as world Islamic the across states nationalistsecular, of influence unfortunate the as saw they what combat to dollars of millionsspend to pared wereflush with oil money prior to2001, they were pre societies these When influence. Wahabi Kuwaiti and - - - - erentiate itself from other Gulf countries by think by countries Gulf other from itself differentiate to strategy special term long a of part as education in heavily invested having examples, positive more few but not as much as they could have. Qatar is one of the education, in invested has and resources in billions has example, for Iran,circumstances. changing to adjust to are linked to failures of countries that do have resources around the Muslim world. In some places the problems !is explains, in part, the many huge pockets of poverty generation urbanized too. first often peoples, literate newly of majority vast the maintain, let alone increase the quality of education for to growthinsuffi cient GDP been simply has importers. be large importing nations for scholars, and are now net Pakistanand Egyptdecreased.to often used sector tion ments in GNP, so that per capita improve spending in the educa relative up ate growth population rapid on, 1950s the From countries. Muslim majority of regions the across growth population in surge the to respond to be combined with religious education aimed at rais at aimededucationreligious with combined be to provisions of secular education alone the will not on do. reliance It needs erefore, ! low. generally therefore, is, addition,In workethicspoor.veryalsoare Productivity and the people do not have the skills that are in demand. poverty.Literacy rates inmost Muslim countries of are low elimination the for success to key the is Education /[OR]c1WaaS situation, theybegantorefuse thisfinancialaid. the realized they Once curriculum. Islamic own their develop to freedom full have not did Balkans) the (in they that and ways, certain in used been have to have would funds these that years few first the within ent first, they were accepted gratefully. But it became appar AtYugoslavia. Former of breakup the after early came Kuwait and Arabia Saudi from help of ers ff o the that is Balkans the in with work I people of narrative e ! ways. perceived and real both in them, to attached ties complex with come and track parallel a followed often have education in investments Kuwaiti and Saudi !e heard, bothinsideandoutsidetheMuslim world. majority Muslim countries is also a critique that is often poorer in systems educational improving by resources lated fully into results. ! e relative failure to share those trans yet not have investments the though standard, high fairly a at are countries producing oil in systems education Overall, investments. term long about ing 7aZO[WQ2SdSZ]^[S\b0O\Y ------!' 03@9:3G13 53=@53B=E<C<7D3@A7BG is no central office or bureaucracy. j bring together children from different groups so that they can learn together. Families are also involved. !us the A central aspect of the movement is the weekly circles schools form bridges across warring communities. and prayers. Members get together every week and also attend to community business. For younger members dormitories/hostels give a more intensive experience but for more mature members the weekly gatherings are most important. In Africa, for example, business men from Turkey who 03@9:3G13 !e pattern in Washington DC is similar. !ere are several Gulen institutions, which are quite autonomous though we are linked to one another. !ere are busi- nessmen from Turkey who support the work here and are part of the community, and then there are several /ZWGc`baSdS` " they seektoprotect theirunderstanding ofIslam. as them against be to movementsSomereopened.tend now have they but schools our down Talibanthe shut have not allowed Gulen schools to open. In Afghanistan operate: Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Iran are countries that to able been not have we where places some are !ere schools everywhere. open to is aim Our Ethiopia. in community a is !ere Africa. South and Tanzania, Kenya, including tries, coun several in work we where Africa, on much very is now focus e ! Asia. the Central to that expand Movement first urged He for expansion. paths movement’s the the on advises who Gulen Fethullah is It countries andthere are about 50schoolsthere. African many in working Weare there. members with countries, 100 about in today active is movement !e Turkey. of outside schools Gulen 600 about are ere! institutions. educational other 500 about Turkeyand in schools Gulen private 300 about now are tor.!ere indica another are universities and schools Gulen !e indication. some gives that newspaper each read people three if so daily,750,000 of circulation a has publication leading !e newspapers. Gulen the of circulation at look to is guess to Movement’sway Onethe knowssize. one No ter inMcLean. cen cultural a Forumand Rumi the including centers, ;SV`O\9S[`OdOO\RUcSaba - - - week of December 2007, was indeed remarkable. HIV/ Africa South in recently on HIV/AIDS. !e conference, during the meeting first a organized Relief Islamic 6O\g3Z0O\\O ;caZW[E]`ZR 1]\T`]\bW\U67D /72AW\bVS us not all people who would like to attend are able are attend to like would who people all not !us fees. pay parents and schools private are schools e ! like history andgeography localteachersare hired.like history subjects Turkeyfor from but are teachers the of Many US. the in schools Gulen 15 approximately are ere ! theoretically and practically. cultures, and faiths different of adherents the between dialogue about teach and values moral universal more emphasize they activities school after the in Also for students. examples good become they that so teachers and administrators qualified very hiring in care great ButGulentake authorities. the Schools bylocal out set provisions the to according prepared is curriculum the so the governments local of rules manage the to we according schools private, are schools Gulen Though Turkey toaschoolelsewhere. in businessmen private from financing some be might there but businessmen, from support and local—fees is financing the Generally requirements. curriculum schools are autonomous and respect local standards and !e costs. the of part so.support do Businesspeople to 7aZO[WQ@SZWST " 03@9:3G13 " reflected inourpolicies. also are values those and faith Islamic our from values management. We do, however, derive our humanitarian not apply our faith into the organizational structure and do We Wales. and England for Commission Charity the by regulated law, Charity Kingdom of provisions the United under the in registered is Relief Islamic beliefs thatguidethework oftheorganization. the are !ese religion. promoting with mixed be work humanitarian should circumstances no Under nation. denomi religious particular a of those simply not able, So it is not surprising that there are very different different very are there that surprising not is it So and all cultures, is shaped by history and circumstances. We believe firmly that Islam, like all religious traditions Muslimsboth andnon-Muslims alike. from and communities and countries erent ff di different traditions. many We receive among support from many very “float” can we sense a In faith. Islamic the of different weparts and tion fromdraw very many Islamic Relief is a very broad all encompassing organisa /PRcZZOV/Z\O[SVO\R;SV`O\9O[`OdO vulner and poor faith are who our those all help that to us and inspires action into faith our means translating us for based” “Faith religion. promoting and an important difference between being inspired by faith - - - Alshafea wrote a book in Iraq, but when he moved to moved he Imam when but Iraq, in book a wrote understanding. Alshafea and nuance adopt to need a always is there and message same the promote to used be can culture and Music, art, same. the was essence in message the However, East. Middle the in applicable had great wisdom,butcouldnotbeconsidered entirely !is diversity has deep roots. Books written in Andalusia understanding andbeinclusive. common find to seek should we rather exclude, that ways in work our frame or opinions our formulate not different traditions and approaches to Islam. We should and Iran,Turkey,change—Indonesia, to needs have all message the elsewhere go individuals those even when But for statements. specific Qatar, make and and lead who example, Arabia, Saudi Egypt, in authorities known well are ere ! principles). the on fundamental same though, (based, terms erent ff di in cast be to need messages that and places erent ff di in approaches that implies“one size fitsall.” approach an promote cannot you sum, In programs. development and relief emergency our of characteristic is same e ! complexities. local to adapted be should sented and rewrite the book. !e narrative and language pre was opinion his way the change to had he Egypt - "! 03@9:3G13 "" ]TbVS/`OP1VWZR AS\W]`/RdWa]`b]bVSE]`ZR3Q]\][WQ4]`c[ Ab`ObSUWQ T]` 1S\bS` AbcRWSaOb 9VOZSR2WOPRW`SQb]`]TbVS?ObO`@SR1`SaQS\b ;SV`O\9O[`OdOWa2W`SQb]`]TbVS1S\bS`T]` A]QWSbgQO[Sb]VWaZWTSZ]\UQ][[Wb[S\bb]Vc[O\W 7\bS`\ObW]\OZO\R@SUW]\OZAbcRWSaOb5S]`USb]e\¸a bO`WO\e]`YbV`]cUVVWaTO[WZgO\RVWa[SRWQOZabcR AQV]]Z]T4]`SWU\AS`dWQSW\?ObO` 7\ORRWbW]\b] WSa 0]`\W\2O[OaQcaVWaTO[WZgVOa`]]baW\:SPO\]\ O\c[PS`]TX]c`\OZO`bWQZSaVSWabVSOcbV]`]T "$ A^O``SeOa`Sa^]\aWPZST]`bVS^`]XSQb OaaWabO\bOb277AeVS`SaVSb]USbVS`eWbVAO`O:SW R]W\U bO`WO\e]`Y >`W]`b]bVObaVSe]`YSROaO`SaSO`QV Wa aVS eVS`S `SaSO`QV]\W\bS`\ObW]\OZ;caZW[<5=aO\RVc[O\W 1]^S\VOUS\ ]T C\WdS`aWbg >SbS`aS\ 8ccZ ;O`WS aVS []dSRb]?ObO`O\RX]W\SR@=B/ # 7\ 9ceOWb W\ >`]U`O[[S 2SdSZ]^[S\b 2SdSZ]^[S\bW\DWSb\O[O\RT]`bVSC\WbSR /P]cbbVS:cQS A4A >3=>:3 >`]U`O[]\@SZWUW]\ >@7<17>/:7 !e Luce/SFS Program focuses on two thematic areas: 03@9:3G13 "& O\R1O\OROTSObc`SRW\ %ac`dSg]T / RSdSZ]^[S\b]TbVS¿SZR]TW\bS`\ObW]\OZOTTOW`a V]abSdS\baO\RQ]\b`WPcbSb]bVSW\bSZZSQbcOZ []ab]TeVWQV]TTS`Q]c`aSaQ]\RcQb`SaSO`QV aWfbSS\ V]caSa AQV]]Z `SUW]\OZO\RTc\QbW]\OZQS\bS`aO\R^`]U`O[a bVS 5OZZcQQW @]PS`b ZSdSZT]`abcRS\ba C\RS`bVSZSORS`aVW^]T2SO\ RS\baO\RU`ORcObS^`]U`O[aObbVS;OabS`¸a W\bS`\ObW]\OZ`SZObW]\a bVS ;OabS`¸aO\R"c\RS`U`ORcObS^`]U`O[aW\ VOdW\U Oa C\WdS`aWbg 5S]`USb]e\ `O\YSR 4]`SWU\AS`dWQSWabVS1S\bS`¸a¿`abRW`SQb]` 2S^O`b[S\b]T5]dS`\[S\bO\RbVSAQV]]Z]T BV][Oa0O\QV]TT/aa]QWObS>`]TSaa]`W\bVS UZ]POZRSdSZ]^[S\bO\RW\bS``SZWUW]caRWOZ]UcS bW]\OZ`SZObW]\aRS[]Q`OQgO\RVc[O\`WUVba T]c`UZ]POZQVOZZS\USa(RW^Z][OQgO\Rb`O\a\O 1S\bS`Sf^Z]`SabVSW\bS`aSQbW]\]T`SZWUW]\eWbV `SaSO`QVbSOQVW\UO\R]cb`SOQVOQbWdWbWSabVS c\RS`abO\RW\UW\bVSaS`dWQS]T^SOQS BV`]cUV `]ZSW\e]`ZROTTOW`aO\R^`][]bSW\bS``SZWUW]ca eWRSSTT]`bb]PcWZRY\]eZSRUSOP]cb`SZWUW]\¸a $Wa^O`b]TOc\WdS`aWbg >`SaWRS\bW\;O`QV O\R >SOQS E]`ZR/TTOW`aQ`SObSReWbVW\bVS=T¿QS]TbVS @SZWUW]\ T]` 1S\bS` 0S`YZSg BVS B6303@9:3G13 BVWa^O^S`Wa^O`b]TOaS`WSa]T`S^]`babVOb [O^abVSOQbWdWbg]TTOWbVPOaSR]`UO\WhObW]\a O`]c\RYSgRSdSZ]^[S\bb]^WQa BVSaS`S^]`ba Sf^Z]`SbVS`]ZS]T`SZWUW]caU`]c^aW\ORR`Saa W\UUZ]POZQVOZZS\USaOaOeOgb]P`WRUS bVSQ]]`RW\ObW]\UO^PSbeSS\aSQcZO`O\R `SZWUW]ca]`UO\WhObW]\aW\bVSQ][[]\STT]`b ]TW\bS`\ObW]\OZRSdSZ]^[S\be]`Y 3R[c\R/ EOZaVAQV]]Z]T4]`SWU\AS`dWQS ! 0c\\7\bS`1cZbc`OZ1S\bS` !%bV=Ab`SSba< E EOaVW\Ub]\21 #% $&% #$'$ Vbb^( aTa US]`USb]e\ SRc 0S`YZSg1S\bS`T]`@SZWUW]\ >SOQSO\RE]`ZR/TTOW`a !! %;Ab`SSb BVS:cQS A4A>`]U`O[]\ @SZWUW]\O\R7\bS`\ObW]\OZ/TTOW`a Vbb^( aTa US]`USb]e\ SRc ZcQSM^`]U`O[ Vb[Z Copyright 2008, Georgetown University.