Dear Dr Mansour, I view myself -as a 'free-thinker' also. But, I'm surprised to see a Muslim describing themselves as such! Though I welcome it! I had done a Google search, on the words: 'Democracy versus Islam' and it found your article: THE ROOTS OF DEMOCRACY IN ISLAM I am a white Englishman aged 75, living in the UK. While I agree with some of your statements, I think you are (obviously enough) viewing democracy through the lens of Islamic belief. As you will be aware, Islamic belief, is but one of many belief systems, or 'religions' on the planet. But, from my perspective - from outside of that belief system - Islam, is fundamentally opposed to democratic principles! Why? Because, it believes in and demands 'submission'! 'Submission', seems to me, to be absolutely contrary to democratic principles, or ideas. A democratic God/creator, who demanded submission to his will, would be denying the innate creative impulses, with which (I believe) all humans are endowed. Submission, in Islamic terms, seems to demand submission to the rule makers and to The Book. Yet, (for me) the idea, that guiding principles can be given in a book of words, that then require adherence to those words, is the worst kind of autocracy imaginable. I follow the events of the 'Arab Spring' democracy movement, with great interest. For it appears to be a movement which is inspired by the inner yearnings of all these peoples, for freedom and democracy. A freedom from autocratic rule. But in my view, what these peoples have yet to realize, is that Islamic beliefs are also autocratic. In a sense, all religions have a potential to demand obedience to a certain set of beliefs! So its not just Islam which has ideas embedded within its belief structure, that binds and restricts the free expression of whatever creative powers they are endowed with - in the same way, most other religions do also. But, in Islam, the call to submit, is a fundamental pillar of it all. So it seems to me, that an Islamic believer (such as yourself) who describes themselves as a 'Free-thinker', is rather going against their own religion. You are not free to think outside, or beyond the limitations imposed by the requirements to submit, to The Book! If you were, you would already realize, its restrictions and you don't! Regards