(Arabic) ijma refers to the consensus of the umma[?], the community of Muslims, those practicing Islam. Islamic law prescribes specific means of consensus decision making which Muslims are to follow in making and enforcing law. The independent thought of each participant is called the ijtihad, and has often been suppressed during the long history of sharia and Islam itself. Modern reformers of Muslim practice point to suppressions of ijma under the Ottoman Empire and seek to restore consensus decision making to religious, and ultimately political life. The grassroots democracy that would result would probably resemble progressive secular methods more than proponents of medieval sharia would feel comfortable with.
... the town the population is spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who are 65 years of age ...