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Muslim participation in an Municipal electoral process
9-19-2018
In less than a month BC residence will be heading to the polls. This time to elect their local officials at their respective local municipalities. As always, the issue whether Muslims should be participating in an electoral process in the west or not becomes the topic of debates at the gatherings at home, and mosques.
At Al Ameen Post, we are advocates of Muslim participation in an electoral process. It is just not important, we believe it is essential.
It is no secret, there are two diverging points of views on this topic. One for and the other one against, and yes, both views are well grounded in their arguments.
However, we need to step aside from the hardline approach and search for a middle ground solution by making critical inquiries, such as, is it permissible?
Dr. Jamal Badawi, renowned Muslim scholar of the west states, this “is an area where there is room for different interpretations. It falls within what the Muslim jurists call as Siyassah Sharaiyya which means just to look after the affairs and benefits of the Muslims which are subject to interpretation within the basic boundaries and rules of Islamic law.”
In summary, Dr. Badawi and this is no way to be taken as Fatwa, it’s Dr. Badawi’s scholarly opinion, he states, “On the basis of the Quran and Sunnah that one has to weigh the harms or benefits. So the idea of weighing harms and benefits of any particular decision is a very legitimate rule of Shariah. To give a little bit more detail on that: what happened when one thing has to take place, in other words, you're given two choices. You have no third choice. One of them would bring more harm. The other would be harmful but the harm would be less. Obviously, the sensible rules of Shariah here is to accept lesser harm to end a greater harm. What happens if you have two choices, both of them are good, one of them would bring greater good than the other? Again you find that the rules of Shariah are very sensible. Obviously, you take the one that gives greater benefit.”
The Muslims in the west also need to understand this concept, and weigh out the pros and cons of participating in an electoral process. In our view, the benefits associated with participation weighs heavier than not participating in an electoral process.
If you go through our cover page story, it provides the profile of Muslim candidates, running in an upcoming municipal elections. We know many of them. Supporting them and other like-minded non-Muslim candidates can be instrumental, both in short as well as long term. Especially, if there are local by-laws which may affect the Muslim community negatively, the law makers would certainly consider the participation by Muslims in the electoral process and what impact it may have in future on their re-election chances.
However, if we do not participate than our views, and opinions will never be weighed in for considerations.
A classic example of such passiveness and the consequences thereof is the introduction and implementation of recently introduced policies or curriculum of SOGI – Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification – by the local school boards.
Unfortunately, many Muslim parents whose children attend the local public schools are unaware about this curriculum. Others on the other hand are outrage. It’s not just limited to the Muslims. Parents in Ontario, belonging to all religious groups fought collectively the introduction of such policies at public school levels.
Like-minded Muslims and non-Muslim parents were able to have the decision reversed. This is an example of being active and the benefits of political activism where local municipalities in Ontario, especially in the GTA, Greater Toronto Area where many of the local councilors are Muslims. This compare to passiveness in politics, particularly among Muslims in BC in past had the exact opposite result. We lag behind other Muslim communities in Canada when it comes to having elected officials at decision and law-making positions.
This needs to change, and it has to be fast. The only way it could be achieved is by becoming actively involved in our local politics at all levels. Whether it be becoming a member of a federal or provincial party. By becoming involved in local riding associations of our respective parties. Until and unless we make that change within our own selves, the broader change cannot be achieved and we will always be bridesmaid and never the bride. It is the bride who is always the center of attention not the bridesmaid.
So what can we do to change this?
The answer is simple. Connect with the local candidates. Go to their offices, find out what they stand for, what’s their objective, if elected. Whether they are independent or running with a party. If so what is their party’s platform.
Over the next few weeks there will be countless all candidates meeting being held at different places and community centers. Go out and attend those all candidates meetings. Let your presence known. Ask questions, seek answers. Encourage fellow Muslims to come out and join you.
Invite the candidates to your local mosques, even for a visit on Friday. Many of the candidates don’t even know where the mosques are, or they are too hesitant to come on their own. Accompany them to the mosque, introduce them to the other congregants so they can also make an informed choice on October 20th.
Assist the choice of your candidates in his or her election campaign, both financially as well as volunteering time with them.
These are some of the ways we can become politically active.
In fact it is even more important to participate in local municipal as it affects us the most in our local day to day living.
There are many other ways to get involved and become active in local politics and it is even more important in local municipal elections, more so than federal or provincial elections because it affects us the most from local municipal taxes, to transit, to public schools, to garbage collection, roads, bridges, traffic control, snow removal, to street lights. All the constraints and mishaps we could face every day. These individuals, elected on October 20th will be deciding how to ease your daily constraints and convert your daily mishaps into a miracle.
On October 20th, GO OUT AND VOTE!
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