BUILDING ISLAMIC POLITY WITHIN A SECULAR FRAMEWORK OF POLITICAL ACTIVITY IN EGYPT, TUNISIA AND TURKEY WITH REFERENCE TO IBN KHALDUN’S THEORY OF STATE

Abstract

The emerging tendency among the proponents of political Islam in Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey is to create Islamic polity within a secular framework of political activity, that is, they are prepared to share power with secularists and preserve the secular nature of the state. The ruling Islamist parties in Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey argue that the religiously pluralistic model of secularity does not contradict the doctrinal sources of Islamic Law (shari’ah). This study assesses the legitimacy of the religiously pluralistic model of secularity with reference to Ibn Khaldun’s theory of state. In Ibn Khaldun’s frame of civilization, the state is a religious necessity and is purposive, created by men to facilitate attainment of public interest or fundamental human rights ordained by the Law-Giver. This study argues that the religiously pluralistic model of secularity and Ibn Khaldun’s religious state or regime of law focuses on the protection and promotion of divine rights of men. The religiously pluralistic model of secularity will cease to be in line with Ibn Khaldun’s regime of law if it ceases to protect and promote public interest.