“Islamic Liberalism”

They’re apparently having a debate in Egypt about a new concept called Islamic Liberalism. Count me a skeptic, this is one of those things that I really need to see with my own eyes to believe.

Let’s say two reasonable secular people are having a debate about government policy. The conversation should sound something like this:

Person a: The advantages of policy x is (bla bla)

Person b: Yeah but the disadvantages are too great, so we should think more of policy y (bla bla)

Now Let’s assume the same conversation is taking place between a secular and an Islamist

Person a: The advantages of policy x is (bla bla)

Islamist: Verse X of Soura Y in the Koran was very clear about this. There should be no debate about this.

Person a: But that verse could be interpreted in a different way.

Islamist: You’re not a religious 3aalem, so you’re not qualified to interpret verses as you please. Matter closed.

The lack of give-and-take and debate (at the heart of liberalism and democracy) is one of the principle hurdles against “Islamic Liberalism”.This is why I’m not buying all the arguments in that article (which all sound awfully like talking points designed to make seculars and the west less afraid of Islamists)