In
2003 Safi articulated
his belief that while democracy is fully compatible with Islam, “it
can't be imposed
from the top down or from the outside,” lest it arouse resentment
and bitterness. Muslims would willingly embrace democracy, he said, only if
they could be shown its inherent consistency with “the Islamic
values of equality, freedom of religion, and respect for the
individual.” “It's difficult to imagine the modern West without
the Reformation in Europe," said Safi, "and it's difficult for me to see a more
reformed Middle East without Islam being a big part of that."
