74% Pakistanis say democracy is an important tenet of Islam: Survey

In contemporary times the focus has been on Islam and its teachings, social and political. Since the relationship between Islam and democracy is strongly debated among people with different views, to understand the opinion of people in Pakistan, a Gilani Research Foundation survey carried out by Gallup Pakistan has said.

According to this study more than two thirds (74%) of all Pakistanis believe that democracy is an important tenet of Islam or at least the two are compatible in some situations. Twenty three percent (23%), however, argue that Islam and democracy have nothing in common with each other.

When the respondents were asked “Some people believe that democracy is against Islam. Some believe Islam is actually democracy, meaning without democracy there can be no Islam, where as others believe that it depends on the situation; at times they can coexist while at other times Islam and democracy will remain at odds with each other?” Majority (40%) said that without democracy there can be no Islam. Thirty four percent (34%) believe that it depends on the situation whether Islam and Democracy can coexist, whereas according to 23% of the respondents Islam and democracy are not at all compatible. Three percent (3%) gave no response.

The data reveals majority of all respondents, across all demographics, are of the view that democracy and Islam are very closely linked. However, a proportionately higher percentage of ruralites (25%) compared to urbanites (18%) think that democracy is against Islam.—Agencies

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