Final Declaration

In co-ordination with the Saban Center for Middle Eastern Politics at the Brookings Institute and in participation of the Centre for Islam and Democracy in Washington, the International Forum for Islamic Dialogue in London, Arab European Union for Democracy &Dialogue France and Mindanao Womens League in Philippinesthe Ibn Khaldun Centre for Development Studies- ICDS - has organized and held in Cairo a workshop entitled " Islam and Reform." During October 5-6, 2004 some twenty intellectuals and researchers from Arab and other Islamic countries, as well as from Europe, and the U.S, participated in the workshop.

The participants discussed ten major papers that addressed the three topics of the workshop: (1)The Parameters of Reform Within Islam; (2 )The Potential Participation of Islamist Group Within Democratic Systems; and (3) The Relationship Between U.S Foreign Policy and Nascent Democratic Groups Within the Muslim World.

More than 100 commentaries were made by the discussants during the round table. Fruitful discussions outcome of the workshop were 10 key recommendations:

1- Reframing a new intellectual Islamic context, characterized by clarity and unity of perception, that seeks to take into account all the changes and transformations that took place in the social life of the various countries of the Muslim world during the last 11 centuries.

2- Implementing a radical revision of the Islamic heritage that involve all Islamic scholarship relating to Islamic Jurisprudence and the Sunna, the Traditions of the Prophet---all of which were founded during the first three centuries of Islam. The participants called for reliance on the Qura'nic text as the sole authentic source to be utilized for reviewing the entire Islamic heritage.

3- Confronting all institutions--whether composed of clerics or lay persons---that claim a monopoly over religion and the proper interpretation of its holy text. Instead, a new spirit should seek to establish the right of Ijtihad for all, under the banner of an Islamic reformation relevant to in the current century.

4- Confronting and refuting the visions and statements of radical religious movements so as to retard their penetration into the Arab society specifically among youngsters many of whom are living in a state of depression under the stress of economic hardship.

5- Intensifying dialogue with moderate and enlightened elements in the Western world, particularly in the United States. In this, the language of dialogue and partnership is the instrument for dealing with the other non- Muslims on the basis of the principles of co-operation, respect of national independence, and peaceful co-existence among civilizations and nations . In that context, Muslim communities abroad could function as channels of contacts.

6- Despite some initial controversy in regard to reform priorities, the consensus stressed the need for implementing both political and religious reform simultaneously in order to attain comprehensive reform.

7- Emphasis was placed on the importance of incorporating moderate Islamic movements in the democratic process; thus enabling those movements that accept democracy as a strategic option and recognize and respect the major principles and values of a liberal democratic civil society in a modern state to practice their political role freely.

8- To that end, and in to reach a common agenda for reform in the Arab world, the participants strongly recommended initiating wide-ranging indepth dialogues with the leaders of all peaceful Islamic movements.

9- In order to maximize the benefits from the workshop, all the papers presented and the discussions that took place will be compiled and published in both Arabic and English.

10- Both the workshop and the participants will be considered a key nucleus for establishing a new network for reformers in both the Arab and the Islamic worlds who will be regularly invited twice a year to follow up on the implementation of the workshop's recommendations as embodied in this, its Final Declaration. It is agreed also that participants could also recommend persons interested in the issue of Islamic reformation to join the network.

Addendum: Representatives of seven different civil society organizations, operating in Egypt, called for establishing a new movement called Islamic Democrats and invited those who accept their visions and discourse to participate in the movement which will take Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies as a temporary premise.

Participants

Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim (Chairman of Ibn Khaldun Center - Cairo)
Mr. Gamal El Banna (Islamic intellectual and chairman of International Islamic Labor Federation-Egypt)
Dr. Sayed El Qemny (Islamic thinker-Egypt)
Dr. Mohamed Shahrour (Islamic thinker- Syria)
Dr. Radwan Masmoudi (Executive Director of Democratic Muslim Association U.S)
Dr. Najah Kadhim (Director of International Forum for Islamic Dialogue London)
Mrs. Sherifa Macarandas (President of Mindanao Womens League- Philippines)
Dr. Abdel Hamid Al Ansari (Professor at the Faculty of Sharia and law Qatar University)
Mrs. Fabiola Badawy (Head of Arab European Union for Democracy & Dialogue)
Mr. Abdallah Ali Sabry (Chief Editor of El- Shura Voice Newspaper- Yemen)