The Constitutional Incoherence of Islam as the Official Religion of the State

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

2011-05-12

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Ohio State University. Mershon Center for International Security Studies

Research Projects

Organizational Units

Journal Issue

Abstract

An-Na`im discussed how almost all the constitutions of Muslim majority countries stipulate that Islam is the religion of the state. Many constitutions also stipulate that Shari`a is the source of legislation. In his lecture, An-Na`im will argue that such provisions are not only incoherent, as the state is incapable of having a religion or enforce Shari`a as such, but also inconsistent with the principle of constitutionalism itself. He will also highlight some of the problematic consequences of this confusion in the constitutional, political and legal experiences of Muslim majority countries.

Description

The media can be accessed here: http://streaming.osu.edu/knowledgebank/mershon11/051211.mp4

Keywords

Islam, constitution, Shari`a Law

Citation