Cultural and Legal Influences and Impediments to Cultivating Peace and Human Rights in Islamic States

Abstract

This article will examine the cultural and legal influences and impediments to the cultivation of peace and human rights in Islamic states. Part one considers the current context of war and peace in Islamic states, recounting the turbulence in large part inherent within most states and regions influenced by Islam. To understand why these conditions exist, and how they might change for the better or worse, part two examines how words and deeds matter under both Islamic law and as binding obligations under International law. Consistent with that study of words and deeds, in part three there are contemporary obligations and eternal covenants that rate commentary and show how regional and international alliances and treaties under Islamic law affect peace and human rights. Part four adds an additional layer of historical perspective of past being prologue regarding tribal influences, non-legal traditions, as well as laws and treaties which may affect the advancement of peace and human rights. Finally, in part five, the so-called “Twitter Revolutions” of 2010-2011 posits how social media and electronic dissemination of knowledge have been indispensable to the (re)establishment of peace, human rights, and political legitimacy in an ever-growing number of Islamic states. It is my hope that this five-part survey will aid readers to more deeply appreciate the matters discussed on the promotion of peace and waging of war, and the means of preserving and promoting the integrity and dignity of all human beings, Muslim and non-Muslim alike.

Keywords: Peace, War, Human Rights, Islam, Islamic States, Islamic Law, Tribal Influences, Non-legal Traditions, Laws, Treaties, Twitter Revolutions, Political Legitimacy, Integrity, Dignity

JEL Classification: B19, B29, K19, K33, K4, N15, N25, Z12