The Democracy Distinction

Last fall, members of Egypt's Islamic Brotherhood won a number of seats in Egypt's parliament, as a result of the government's loosening restrictions on political parties. Essentially before that only the supporters of President Mubarak were allowed to stand for office. The Tribune:

The Brotherhood fielded candidates for 161 seats, and voters in significant numbers chose them over Mubarak's party. The Brotherhood, as a religious group, is banned as a party, so candidates ran as independents; voters knew who and what they were choosing.

Since the election of Hamas in Palestine this spring, the Egyptian government has gotten cold feet and postponed the advent of municipal elections for 2 years. Brotherhood leaders say they are in support of Hamas. However, they have recently been accused by top Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, whom they know from university days, of being a "dupe of US-Egyptian policy". So it remains to be seen what kind of democracy they will espouse, and whether they will stay clear of terror.

"We do need to make a distinction between Western-style democracy and the kind of democracy we believe in," said Mohamed Habib, one of the Brotherhood's top leaders.

"Democracies can look different from place to place," Habib said. "We believe in a peaceful rotation of power, a multiparty system and having the people as the source of power. The only difference is that, whatever laws are passed, we want them in keeping with Islamic Shariah [law].

Another senior Brotherhood member said, "If there is anything to be realized from these elections, it is that people will choose a moderate Islam."

Let's hope that's what it is.