Speech on Islam
Kiev, Ukraine, April 26, 2007
Assalam Alaikum. May peace be with you.
I stand before you not only as the first female Prime Minister of my nation and the leader of the opposition, but also as a woman, a wife and a mother.
I stand before you as a woman proud of my cultural and religious heritage.
I want to use this opportunity, speaking to many of you here today who are not Muslims, to tell you about the Islam I was taught.
Islam taught me that men and women are equal in the eyes of God. It is this message of Islam that has empowered me, has strengthened me, and has emboldened me.
The Prophet’s wife, Bibi Khadija, was a rich and successful businesswoman. Throughout the Holy Koran, there is example after example of women as leaders, women being respected, women as equals.
It is this tradition of Islam that has allowed me to battle for political and human rights, and strengthens me today.
Islam denounces inequality as the greatest form of injustice.
It enjoins its followers to combat oppression and tyranny.
It enshrines piety as the sole criteria for judging humankind.
It shuns race, color and gender as the basics of distinction in society.
Islam is not only committed to tolerance and equality, but it is committed to the principles of democracy.
The Muslim Holy Book says that Islamic society is contingent on — “mutual advise through mutual discussions on an equal footing.”
“Consultation” under the Koran, demands that public decisions be made by representative personalities, by men and women who enjoy the confidence of the people and the integrity of their own character.
“Consensus” provides a basis for majority rule.
And in the third element of Islamic democracy — “independent judgment” Islam permits each generation to create a dynamic response to their period in time.
There are many similarities between Islam and the Judeo-Christian traditions. These three great religions were born in the cradle of the Middle East. The word “Muslim” actually means those who follow the Prophets Moses, Jesus and Mohammad.
The Koran has a chapter on Mary, the Mother of Jesus, whose Arabic name is Maryam. As in Christianity, the Koran speaks of the miraculous birth of Jesus and of his healing powers. It quotes the infant Jesus saying in his cradle, “God commanded me to pray and to give alms so long as I live, and to cherish my Mother”.
Muslims believe that paradise lies at the feet of the Mother.
Like other great religions, Islam is a moral compass for its followers that gives faith and hope and offers a path for the redemption of the soul on the day of Judgement.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The fanatics who exploit the name of Islam do not speak for the Muslim people.
In this the twenty first century, the Muslim people search for freedoms that exist in other parts of the world. They search for a society that is representative and accountable and which they determine for themselves.
And as part of that search, I prepare to return to Pakistan, to support my country’s movement for the restoration of democracy through the holding of fair, free and impartial elections.
The people of Pakistan closely followed Ukraine’s movement for democracy. We gain inspiration from the Orange Revolution that took place.
And if elections in my country are rigged, we hope to emulate your orange revolution through public demonstrations and peoples power.
It is through democracy, diversity and pluralism that we can together build a world of interfaith understanding and tolerance, a world free from terrorism.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, and in the words of the Prophet of Islam,
“Spread peace between yourselves”