In recognition of International Day of Democracy, and with the U.S. federal, state, and local elections just a few weeks away, the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center Program hosted a series of individual conversations with the U.S. Senate and House of Representative candidates from the State of Georgia. Senator David Perdue (Senior U.S. Senator, and Republican Candidate for Senate), Jon Ossoff (Democratic Candidate for Senate), Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux (Democratic Candidate for U.S. House from Georgia, District 7), and Dr. Rich McCormick (Republican Candidate for U.S. House from Georgia, District 7), participated in these moderated conversations.
The discussions were inspired by the keynote address of Mawlana Hazar Imam at the International Day of Democracy on September 15, 2015, at the International New York Times Athens Democracy Forum in Greece. Here, Mawlana Hazar Imam discussed the challenges that face modern democracies, including “a crisis of confidence” in governments, inducing failed democracies and resulting humanitarian crises such as the refugee crisis.
The Imam explained that “quality of life is a prime concern” in ensuring the progress of democracy. He listed a number of factors through which democracies can increase their chances of survival, including constitutional understanding and a process of constitutional reform, respect for diversity of citizens, dependable and independent media presence, and the active involvement of civil society, which must in turn be “sustained, accepted, and encouraged by government.”
The objective of the program was to serve as a reminder that democracy is about the people, and is built on ethics and values including equality, civic participation, and inclusion. In a strong democracy, there is constant dialogue between people and the political class, as it is these individuals who make critical decisions at the local and national levels on issues that affect our lives.
The candidates appreciated the Ismaili community for hosting the series through which viewers were educated about the democratic process and encouraged to remain engaged. Topics discussed included the current COVID-19 crisis and its disparate impact on US citizens, strengthening the US education and healthcare systems to improve quality of life, rebuilding the economy with particular emphasis for support to small businesses, and setting aside partisan politics to come together to pass laws that help citizens.
Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux is running for the highly-contested U.S. House seat from Georgia's District 7, which includes parts of Gwinnett and Forsyth Counties, where there is a considerable population of Ismaili Muslims. She challenged voters to “help stand up this democracy” by making sure “every voice is heard, every voice is counted.” She said, “The most important thing right now is to vote.”
Dr. Bourdeaux encouraged viewers to vote by mail, drop off their ballots in drop boxes, vote in person during early voting, or put on a mask and vote in person on Election Day. She also encouraged viewers to learn about their candidates and get involved in campaigns. She ended by saying that she is “committed to working on a bipartisan basis to bring people together to building the coalition, to actually solve the problem for people.”
Her opponent, Dr. Rick McCormick said, “Freedom can guarantee a democracy, but democracy doesn't always protect freedom. We have to be careful that the United States continues to be a democratic republic that protects our individual liberties, so that we can be who we have always defined ourselves to be, with your rights and my rights even taken above the rights of the majority…The more we give power to the people, the better off we are.”
In talking about the role of the media and disinformation in our democracy, Dr. McCormick said, “The first amendment is the most cherished amendment in the constitution. The reason we have it is because the dissenting opinion is a lot of times where we have had progress in our nation...If you don't allow people to disagree, you won't have any progress...It’s important to allow dissenting opinions on both sides and then you can believe what you tune into, what you believe, you can do your research. The American public can make a good decision if they are allowed to.”
Another prized race in Georgia is for a U.S. Senate seat. Senator Perdue is the incumbent. He said that as a democracy, “we believe in economic opportunity for everybody...to make sure that everyone has equal opportunity.” He recalled Hazar Imam’s emphasis on education and inclusion as key factors for successful democracies. Senator Perdue continued, “You can’t have a democracy if everyone isn’t participating...People have a voice, and that changes government and that changes leadership. That’s the strength of a representative democracy. If you have total inclusion and plurality, you can have that freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to vote.”
Senator Perdue’s opponent, Jon Ossoff, stressed the importance of diversity. He remarked that, “Pluralism is at the heart of the idea of America that we all seek to build and perfect…Diversity is a core part of our identity.” Mr. Ossoff went on to refer to his mentor, Congressman John Lewis, and discussed how Lewis’ ‘Beloved Community’ is “where we recognize the folly of racism, of poverty, of violence, where we embrace our universal humanity, that ultimately we are one, while at the same time we celebrate our beautiful diversity.”
Mr. Ossoff redefined the idea of human freedom by saying, “True human freedom is not just the absence of oppression. It is also the freedom to determine the circumstances of one’s own life so they align with one’s dreams and ambitions...The poverty crisis in America impairs true human freedom. There are too many Americans who simply lack access to health, education, and economic opportunity.”
Through these dialogues with our elected officials and the political class, the Ismaili Council for Southeastern United States hopes to raise awareness, encourage the Jamat to participate in the democratic process, and to strive to strengthen our democracy.
