We represent Islam in a sense that it has to be tolerant, liberal, plural,

and except even some of the values of the West.

I'm Mehdi Hassan. Welcome to Deconstructed.

It's a never-ending debate.

Why do so many Muslims live in unnemocratic countries?

How do you get more freedom in the Middle East?

Does Islam have a problem with democracy?

They're age-old and often quite cliched questions.

So on today's show, I want to do a bit of debunking and deconstructing

with the help of a very special and a very relevant guest.

You have Korra, oppressive, tyrannical states, and they use the liberal Islam.

That's my guest today, the renowned Malaysian leader and former political prisoner,

Anwai Ibrahim, who's on course to become the country's next democratically elected Prime Minister.

I'm also joined by Dali Amugahid, the American Muslim writer, scholar and former White House advisor.

When you look at the facts, they simply don't support the idea that there is a

clash of civilizations or a clash of values.

So on today's show, what's the deal with Islam, Muslims, and democracy?

Islam and democracy. Is there a clash? Is there a contradiction?

I've been hearing this question posed by right and left alike my entire life,

since before 9-11, but especially since after 9-11,

when we were told by George W. Bush, by Tony Blair, by the Neocons and others,

that the real problem in the Muslim majority world is the lack of democracy and freedom and political pluralism.

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