Leader Ocalan: Democratic Islam is return to spirit of Medina Charter

The Mesopotamia Islamic Research Federation held its first regular conference under the slogan "From Democratic Islam to Peace and Democratic Society." Leader Abdullah Ocalan addressed the conference in a message emphasizing that freedom, justice, and equality are the essence of Islam.

Firat News Agency conveyed the text of Leader Ocalan’s message to the conference as follows:

"To the Conference of the Mesopotamia Islamic Research Federation,

Islam, at its core, is a religion of freedom, justice, and equality. However, official state Islam or the societal structures used by capitalist modernity as tools of power and exploitation have lost this essence. Democratic Islam, on the other hand, means a return to the spirit of the Medina Charter, which represents a covenant for free coexistence without coercion among different religions, peoples, and cultures. It should be understood that true jihad is a struggle waged through continuous self-criticism against our desires and injustices. Meanwhile, the concept of Shura in Islam refers to collective wisdom and democratic decision-making.

Let us use Islam to serve the free life of a society organized on this basis, without turning it into a political tool for the state or any faction. Democratic Islam is an alternative civilization centered on women’s freedom, environmental balance, and the brotherhood of peoples. Only this democratic interpretation can heal the wounds of the Middle East. In this context, I hope your discussions will contribute to the advancement of the democratic society path we have begun.

With my sincere love and respect,

Abdullah Ocalan

 Imrali"

A-H 

ANHA