The Medina Charter: Multiple Affiliations as a Model for Social Cohesion in a Pluralistic Society
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Introduction
No society is entirely homogeneous, whether in terms of ethnicity, language, ideology or religion. This is particularly true in the current age of communication and the movement of people and ideas. Most countries comprise multiple ethnic groups, languages, and beliefs. In order to enjoy security, stability, peace and prosperity, a society must strengthen its cohesion and manage the tensions between its constituent parts. If these tensions escalate and are not properly managed, they will inevitably lead to fragmentation, disintegration and eventual collapse.
The intensity of societal divisions depends on the strength of the various fault lines within society and how they relate to one another. These fault lines can be ideological or political, linguistic or regional, religious or sectarian, ethnic or tribal. If these divisions are aligned, meaning the fault lines are superimposed, they are difficult to address, since they are mutually reinforcing. If they are not aligned, however, the situation is easier. Often, aligned divisions are merely perceived, with no basis in reality. This perception is sometimes deliberately reinforced by internal and external actors for political purposes.* Therefore, it is essential to deconstruct this type of perception by revealing the complex structure of society that contributes to its cohesion.
The most effective way to strengthen social cohesion is to establish a state based on citizenship, transcending all affiliations and guaranteeing equal rights and duties for all, enabling participation in the management of public affairs without exclusion or discrimination.† Social cohesion is only established when all members of society‡ feel that they share power in all its forms, including political, military, economic and cultural power. Rank discordance§ – when one segment of society monopolises certain forms of power, while another segment monopolises others – leads to instability, while full asymmetry – a situation in which one component of society possesses all forms of power – leads to unsustainable stability.
The fair distribution of power among all components of society, regardless of their numerical weight, leads to lasting stability and can only be achieved through (1) equal opportunities, (2) the rule of law and (3) good governance.
This paper presents observations on the Medina Charter, an initiative of the Prophet Muhammad following his emigration from Mecca to Medina, which aimed to establish peace, strengthen social cohesion, and foster good governance within the diverse community of Medina. The charter aimed to enable each social group in Medina to fulfil their beliefs without forcing others to abandon theirs. It also sought to establish rights and obligations, maintain security and justice, and permit the resolution of conflicts without recourse to violence.
The Medina Charter has been the subject of numerous studies, which have addressed the document from several angles, including constitutional jurisprudence, human rights, religious and cultural coexistence, conflict transformation and social cohesion (see the literature review in Annex 1). This paper will focus on the Medina Charter as a model that recognises multiple affiliations in order to promote social cohesion within pluralistic societies.
Abbas Aroua
Notes
* In Algeria, for example, there have been attempts to attribute the country’s crisis to the intersection of two divisions: one ethno-linguistic (Arab–Kabyle) and the other ideological (Islamist–secularist). If this were the case, it would pose a far greater threat to the cohesion of Algerian society. However, the Algerian situation is far more complex and multifaceted, as both Islamist and secularist movements include both Arabs and Kabyles.
† For example, there are around 200 states and 2,000 nations worldwide. Most states comprise several nations, typically with one dominant nation. The most effective way to address the heterogeneity of states is to base governance on citizenship.
‡ For a society to function well, it must have a clear and equitable framework of rights and responsibilities which is applied consistently to all individuals living within its borders, whether they are citizens or residents. Fundamental rights such as the right to personal safety, equality before the law, access to justice and freedom of conscience must be guaranteed to all. Similarly, every member of society has a duty to respect the law, contribute to the common good, and avoid causing harm, regardless of their legal status.
§ For example, consider a society in which the numerical majority holds political and military power, while the numerical minority holds economic and cultural power. See: Johan Galtung, Violence, Peace, and Peace Research. Journal of Peace Research 6(3):167–191 (1969).
References
- Qur’ān, 33:13.
- Qur’ān, 9:120.
- Lakhdar Ghettas. The Medina Charter. In Interaction of Religion and Politics in the Public Sphere: Conceptual Tools for the Promotion of Peaceful Co-existence among Political Actors with Different Worldviews. Edited by Alistair Davison. Cordoba Workshops Reports. Cordoba Foundation of Geneva (2016).
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