Iran Hosts Conference On Islam and Humanitarian Law

(RFE/RL) November 30, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Scholars and experts in Islamic law from Iran and the neighboring region have taken part in a conference on Islam and international humanitarian law.

The conference was held in the central Iranian city of Qom on November 29 and 30.


Andreas Wigger, deputy director of operations the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and one of the
organizers of the conference, said the discussions made international lawyers more aware of Islamic methods for establishing obligations toward victims of war.


Similar events have been held recently in other cities, including the Afghan capital, Kabul, with the aim of finding common ground for protecting human dignity in armed conflicts.

Islam In A Pluralistic World

Islam In A Pluralistic World

A Muslim woman (left) watches a Christian procession in Madrid in March (AFP)

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CONFERENCE ON ISLAM: A major international conference on Islam concluded in Vienna in November 2005 with strong appeals from prominent Muslim leaders to recognize international terrorism as simply "terrorism." Political figures from Islamic countries, including the presidents of Iraq and Afghanistan, argued that it should never be labeled "Islamic" or "Muslim" terrorism because Islam is based on peace, dialogue, and tolerance. "Salaam" -- meaning "peace" -- was the key word of the three-day conference, titled "ISLAM IN A PLURALISTIC WORLD."
Iraqi President Jalal Talibani and Afghan President Hamid Karzai used the word in their remarks to emphasize the peaceful nature of Islam. Other speakers quoted passages from the Koran to the effect that all men and women, regardless of faith, are creatures of God and should live in peace with each other without discrimination...(more)



LISTEN

Listen to Afghan President HAMID KARZAI's complete address to the Vienna conference (in English):
Real Audio Windows Media



LISTEN

Listen to UN special envoy LAKHDAR BRAHIMI's complete address to the Vienna conference (in English):
Real Audio Windows Media


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