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Good morning.

Islam does not prescribe any one single type of system of governance. The Qur’an says, ‘The believers are those who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation.’ Islam stresses the importance of universal human values such as the distribution and separation of powers, accountability, equality and social justice. This was reflected in the earlier days of the caliphate system.

Democracy is not a perfect system but it upholds these values better than most. Citizens can hold leaders to account and can use the ballot box. I’ve seen how Islamic theocracies frequently deny their minority communities their basic human rights and religious freedoms.

British Muslims like their non-Muslim compatriots hold a range of views regarding British government policies. We value the right to disagree and protest peacefully. Muslim opposition to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and reservations of some about the Prevent programme are examples of this.

The London bombers of 7/7 tried to justify their evil by making references to these wars. Muslim theologians around the world have declared that using them as a justification for suicide bombing is absolutely forbidden. Shari`ah (Islamic law) states that Muslims living in the UK are under contractual obligations with the state. The Qur’an makes it absolutely clear that Muslims are not allowed to take up arms against a party that they are in a treaty with, even to defend other Muslims. This is because abiding by treaties and agreements with others is one of the most defining aspects of Islam. Therefore it is forbidden for British Muslims to go to another country to fight in such a way that they would end up attacking British forces.

Dear God, give us the ability to disagree well and to live together in harmony, amin.