The Place Of Religion In The Arab World

The following commentary by Rami G. Khouri, focuses on the role of religion in public, personal and political life in the Arab world. Based on the outcome of the recent meeting of Arab Business Council in Bahrain, Mr. Khouri concludes that:

The issue of religion in public life is more nuanced and less frightening than it is often made out to be by many people both in the Middle East and beyond. The three are that, first, Arabs and Muslims in the Middle East hold a very wide range of views on religion's role in their lives and do not share monolithic perspectives; second, religion is an important part of people's identities and therefore should apply to business and governance in a manner that raises the quality of life; and third, people should continue to interpret religious law and its everyday applications.