Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) roundtable examining Western engagement with Islamist political parties in the Middle East

On 25th November 2008 Director Maajid Nawaz entered into critical engagement with policy researchers, diplomats, civil servants and various leaders of Islamist political parties from across the Middle East at a roundtable held by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). Amongst the Islamist leaders in attendance were Rashid al-Ghannoushi, head of Hizb al-Nahda in Tunisia, Dr. Muhammad Saad El Katatny Chairman of the Egyptian Parliamentary bloc for the Muslim Brotherhood, Muhammad Kahtan from the Reform (Islah) party in Yemen and Dr. Nabil Al-Kofahi from the Jordanian Islamic Action Front.

Maajid introduced his presentation by stating to the attendees that democratic reform involves not only elections, but requires an open civil society, pluralism and respect for constitutional values. Maajid further stated that Western support for Middle Eastern Islamists is not a “God-given right”. Western taxpayers are not duty bound to support any party, whether elected or not. Hence, it is the requests for Western support that require justification, not the lack of such support.

The very request to intervene or support Islamists against unelected dictators is a value judgement preferring democracy to dictatorships. Hence, traditional reasons cited by Middle Eastern Islamist parties about why Western countries should not make value judgements about their policies, yet support their governments if elected, are invalid. The very request for Western support assumes a value judgement. Consequently, a ‘values-based engagement’ between Western and Middle Eastern countries is the only consistent way forward.

In accordance with this premise, Maajid highlighted certain pre-requisites that Middle Eastern Islamist parties should adhere to before they can expect Western support for their elected Islamist governments. Suicide bombings in Israel against non-combatants must be categorically condemned.  Calls for a return to medieval corporal punishments such as stoning and chopping off hands must be abandoned. Recognition for women and non-Muslim heads of state must be acknowledged as a civil necessity in democracies. Finally, double standards in Islamist calls for political freedoms yet reversals in social freedoms must cease. Freedom of religion and personal freedoms must be respected by Islamists. Maajid also highlighted areas where Western engagement must improve, including stepping up pressure on Middle Eastern rulers to reform, providing greater support to liberal reformers and ending tacit support for regimes that are responsible for gross human rights violations.