Islamic Shura (Consultation) on Global IGF 2015 João Pessoa — Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus)

This essay applies the conceptual framework of the Islamic Political Thought — most prominently associated with Taha Jabir Alalwani et al. — to re-read the Global IGF 2015 João Pessoa conference. Target audience: researchers, doctoral students, policy analysts, and executives.

Introduction: The Problem

The tradition of Shura (consultation) in Islamic political thought offers a distinct perspective on consensus-building. Global IGF contains the dialogue possibility between the Western deliberative model and Islamic Shura.

This essay argues that the multistakeholder process of Global IGF becomes intelligible in its specificity only through the concept of Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus), and that the concept itself undergoes transformation under the new material of digital space. Describing this mutual transformation is the task of this essay.

Deliberation from Islamic perspective

Participation from Brazil (especially Arab/Islamic countries) can bring a policy-evaluation framework based on Maslaha (public welfare). This adds a new dimension to SDGs debate.

The conference theme "Evolution of Internet Governance: Empowering Sustainable Development" carries implications beyond a mere policy slogan. It can be positioned as a contemporary reformulation, in digital-era vocabulary, of the kinds of questions Taha Jabir Alalwani et al. problematized.

The form of the Global IGF stands between the principle of national sovereignty and the logic of a global public realm that transcends it.

Maslaha (public welfare)

Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s concepts are not confined to abstract philosophical discussion; they apply to the concrete agenda items debated at the 2015 conference. We examine that application below.

1. Application to "SDGs"

Discussion of "SDGs" can be positioned, from the perspective of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus), as a central problematic. In Brazil's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around SDGs are particularly at stake.

2. Application to "マンデート延長"

Discussion of "マンデート延長" can be positioned, from the perspective of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus), as a derivative problematic. In Brazil's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around マンデート延長 are particularly at stake.

3. Application to "格差"

Discussion of "格差" can be positioned, from the perspective of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus), as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Brazil's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 格差 are particularly at stake.

4. Application to "サイバーセキュリティ"

Discussion of "サイバーセキュリティ" can be positioned, from the perspective of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus), as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Brazil's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around サイバーセキュリティ are particularly at stake.

5. Application to "国連連携"

Discussion of "国連連携" can be positioned, from the perspective of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus), as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Brazil's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 国連連携 are particularly at stake.

Implications for Executives and Practitioners

The philosophical reflection of this essay is not merely academic. The Taha Jabir Alalwani et al. perspective carries three practical implications for executives operating in Brazil.

First, it raises the reflexive question of how the firm's business model connects to the logic of Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus). Second, in dialogue with regulators and civil society, it suggests dimensions of consensus formation that purely technical arguments cannot reach. Third, it indicates that the long-term ground of business legitimacy lies not so much in technical advantage or market share as in participation in such philosophical-normative debates.

Academic Positioning and Future Research

The argument of this essay attempts to graft a philosophical perspective onto the mainstream political-science and legal approaches to internet governance research. Three future research questions follow.

1. Verification of the applicability of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s framework to other IGF conferences
2. Comparative contrast between Islamic Political Thought and other theoretical traditions
3. Exploration of dialogue possibilities with the indigenous intellectual traditions of Brazil

In particular, the third point has the potential to liberate IGF research from West-centric debate and open a more multi-layered discursive space.

---

Primary Sources

• IGF Secretariat. Annual Reports of Global IGF.
• Global IGF 2015 João Pessoa Conference Materials.
• Nakazawa Yuki Blog. https://nkzw.jp/category/igf/

Secondary Sources (Philosophy)

• Works of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al. (representative texts of Islamic Political Thought)

---

*This piece belongs to the academic essays (philosophy series). The author's views do not necessarily represent those of any institutional affiliation. Feedback and critique are welcome.*

更新履歴

第1稿投稿 2026年10月7日 16時53分（記事コンテンツアップ）

— 中澤祐樹