Islamic Shura (Consultation) on Korea IGF 2013 Seoul — 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 Korea IGF 2013 Seoul 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. Korea IGF contains the dialogue possibility between the Western deliberative model and Islamic Shura.

This essay argues that the multistakeholder process of Korea 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 South Korea (especially Arab/Islamic countries) can bring a policy-evaluation framework based on Maslaha (public welfare). This adds a new dimension to AI黎明期 debate.

Each session's agenda-setting can be read as a contemporary restaging of the Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.-type problematic.

The national-level IGF (Korea IGF) is an attempt to redefine the modern category of the nation-state in the digital era.

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 2013 conference. We examine that application below.

1. Application to "AI黎明期"

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

2. Application to "モバイル"

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

3. Application to "プライバシー"

Discussion of "プライバシー" 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 South Korea's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around プライバシー are particularly at stake.

4. Application to "国内法整備"

Discussion of "国内法整備" 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 South Korea's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 国内法整備 are particularly at stake.

5. Application to "政府＋民間協働"

Discussion of "政府＋民間協働" 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 South Korea's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 政府＋民間協働 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 South Korea.

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 South Korea

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

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Primary Sources

• IGF Secretariat. Annual Reports of Korea IGF.
• Korea IGF 2013 Seoul 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)

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*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.*

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第1稿投稿 2026年10月13日 18時27分（記事コンテンツアップ）

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