"We want to be, I think, an example for the rest of the Arab world, because there are a lot of people who say that the only democracy you can have in the Middle East is the Muslim Brotherhood"
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In this quote, King Abdullah II of Jordan is expressing a vision for his country to serve as a model of democracy in the Arab world. This declaration shows a desire to demonstrate that democratic governance can prosper in the Middle East, countering common presumptions and criticisms that suggest otherwise.
He mentions the Muslim Brotherhood, a prominent Islamist organization, often associated with a model of governance that combines political Islam with democratic procedures. By highlighting the organization, King Abdullah II acknowledges a perspective within the area-- that the Muslim Brotherhood represents the sole practical path to democracy within the cultural and religious context of the Middle East.
Nevertheless, King Abdullah's statement seeks to challenge this notion. By proposing that Jordan can be an example, he suggests that democracy does not always need to align with the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood. Instead, he's suggesting that there are alternative paths to democracy that can appreciate the cultural and historic subtleties of the area while possibly adopting a various ideological position.
Embedded within the quote is an implicit assertion of agency and autonomy. He seems to argue against a homogenized view of Middle Eastern political futures that hinges primarily on Islamic political motions, advocating for varied and individualized political development within Arab countries.
Additionally, by aiming to provide an example, King Abdullah II likewise alludes to Jordan's prospective management function in forming a democratic future in the Middle East. His vision includes showcasing a form of governance that might motivate other nations to embrace democratic reforms, tailored to their distinct contexts and free from monolithic constraints.
In summary, King Abdullah II's statement is a require diversity in democratic models and a resistance to decreased, singular narratives about the political prospects in the Arab world, highlighting Jordan's potential management in this transformative venture.
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