PETALING JAYA, July 3 — An academic today insisted that the ousting of the so-called progressive faction from PAS does not condemn the “Muslim democrat” model, a concept that was presented as a “moderate” alternative towards hardline Islamism.

Despite the complete takeover by the conservative clergy class in the Islamist party, Malaysian Institute of Policy Research’s (IKD) Khalid Jaafar said PAS still has a role to play in democracy and the continuation of the model.

“Definitely, there are various strands of democracy in this country, and Muslims have participated actively in the concept of democratisation of the country,” Khalid said at a press conference for the upcoming World Forum for Muslim Democrats this year.

“Whatever differences that Muslims have in this country, whether taking a very strong Islamist position or taking a much moderate and inclusive position, is a kind of process experienced by Muslims in their participation in democracy process.”

PAS’s Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, both outspoken advocates of the concept in the country, were among the progressives that lost their positions in the party’s internal polls last month.

Khalid also kept an open mind when asked whether the new PAS leadership will bring the party closer to the ideals symbolised by Tunisian Islamist party Ennahda, which is widely seen as a role model for Muslim Democrats.

“I think we can’t define Muslim democracy just as an experience of particular party in the region,” he added, saying that Ennahda’s leader Rachid Ghannouchi will be present to talk more about the concept in the forum.

“He would be the best person to articulate the success and experience, some difficulties Muslim democrats have to face in their endeavour,” he said, referring to Ghannouchi.

The second edition of the forum, a brainchild of jailed PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, will be held in Jakarta this November.

It is jointly-organised by Japan’s Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Indonesia’s Habibie Centre, Turkey’s Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research, and Malaysia’s IKD.

Indonesia’s Habibie Centre Rahimah Abdul Rahim speaks at the a press conference for the upcoming World Forum for Muslim Democrats in Petaling Jaya, July 3, 2015.

Habibie Centre’s Rahimah Abdul Rahim said Anwar is keen to contribute towards the forum despite his imprisonment, and has even given his input for the preparation session that ended today.

“He has sent message through his people, calling for commitment to strengthening Muslim Democrats,” said Rahimah.

The definition of the term “Muslim Democrat” is widely debated, but the forum had previously provided copies of a paper written by Persian-American academic and author Vali Nasr titled “The Rise of Muslim Democracy”, which pitted the concept against Islamism.

In it, Nasr suggested that Muslim Democrats eschew a rule by Shariah law to restore a caliphate, but rather harness the values of Islam to help them win votes in a democratic system.