Islam and International Humanitarian Law: From a Clash to a Conversation Between Civilizations

Abstract:     
In a world viewed as a 'clash of civilizations', Islam and IHL are increasingly seen as competitors. Previous attempts to compare Islam and IHL characterize each system as static and monolithic and suffer from a subtle orientalism. By reviewing the role of Islamic players in the development of IHL from 1856 to the present, we can discern the changing nature of the relationship between the two systems. From an Islamic 'other', against which IHL defined itself, Islam has emerged first as a contributor 'civilization', then as a force of nationalism, and lastly as a competitor to IHL. Its contribution reveals that IHL is itself a process of conversation between civilizations.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 30

Keywords: Islam, international humanitarian law, international law, clash of civilizations, IHL

Accepted Paper Series