The effect of modern Islamic understanding on state organization: Islamic Republic of Iran and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

In recent centuries, Muslim societies have tried to reconcile the Islamic faith with modern values such as democracy, human rights, equality and progress that Western societies lagged behind. However, there are differences of opinion among Muslims about reconciling Islam with democratic values. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran are two examples of these differences of opinion. After the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iran's state organization was redesigned. While preparing the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it was prepared in line with Islamic principles. Among the articles of the constitution, modern values such as democracy, elections and separation of powers were also included. However, when we look at the implementation, it is seen that democratic principles remain on paper. After the expulsion of the Soviet Union, a state structure based on Islamic principles was formed in Afghanistan under the leadership of the Mujahideen and the Taliban. After the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001, the state entered a restructuring process in Afghanistan, which passed to the republican regime. While restructuring the state, modern values such as democracy, freedoms and human rights were taken into account. However, this structure was created without departing from Islamic values. This study examines how the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan designed their state organizations by considering the concept of Modern Islamic Understanding.