[gogona]

Once again, people mistake "democracy" and "republic". Ibn Mikael is describing a Republic with an Islamic Charter.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-...-democracy.htm

"By definition, a republic is a political unit governed by a charter, while a democracy is a government whose prevailing force is always that of the majority. Perhaps one of the difficulties in defining these two words — democracy and republic — stems from the fact that many people consider them to be synonyms, which they aren’t. They are no more alike than an apple and a banana, and yet they are often used interchangeably.

The difference between a republic and a democracy lies in the ultimate source of official power. In the case of a republic, it lies with a charter; in a democracy, power lies with the rule of the majority. Yet they are often lumped together. "

As far as democracy goes, I remember listening to a history podcast how Thomas Jefferson himself disdained the notion of creating a democracy (defined in the classical sense) in the United States, believing it would lead to mob rule. So he wanted a Republic, with a written Charter, with officials and rulers chosen by vote.

I do believe that Muslims can have proper Sunni Islamic republics with elected government if they're properly set up. The Charter must be carefully made, institutions and separations of powers set up, etc.

Finally, whoever said that the voting franchise has to be universal? The USA did not allow blacks and women to vote for a very long time. If you don't want the Shia and the Qadyanis to vote... well there are historical precedents for that...