Islam and Human Rights in Practice » (New Edition)

Questions over the compatibility of Islam and Human Rights have become a key area of debate in the perceived tensions between ‘Islam and the West’. In many ways, discussion over the stance of Islam in relation to such factors as gender rights, religious freedom, social and political freedoms, and other related issues represents a microcosm of the broader experience of how Muslim and ‘Western’ communities interact and relate.

This volume seeks to engage with the various debates surrounding Islam and Human Rights, in particular, challenging assumptions of a ‘standard’ or ‘essential’ Muslim perspective on Human Rights. Through a survey of the experiences of Muslim communities across the globe (the ummah), this volume highlights the dynamic way Muslims understand and incorporate Human Rights into their personal, social and political experiences.

From conceptual discussions on the issues of gender rights and religious freedom, to examining Muslim communities from South East Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, leading global experts bring forth key insights into the way in which Muslim communities live and experience Human Rights. The potential for deeper engagement with this issue is critical, as it opens possibilities for more profound understanding and tolerance.

1 Framing the debate on Islam and human rights Shahram Akbarzadeh Akbarzadeh, Shahram Benjamin MacQueen MacQueen, Benjamin 1

2 The reformulation of Islamic thought on gender rights and roles Ann Elizabeth Mayer Mayer, Ann Elizabeth 12

3 Women's rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran : the contribution of secular-oriented feminism Rebecca Barlow Barlow, Rebecca 33

4 Islamic reformism and human rights in Iraq : gender equality and religious freedom Benjamin MacQueen MacQueen, Benjamin Shahram Akbarzadeh Akbarzadeh, Shahram 52

5 The reluctant partnership between the Muslim Brotherhood and human rights NGOs in Egypt Benjamin MacQueen MacQueen, Benjamin 75

6 Human rights in Afghanistan William Maley Maley, William 89

7 Competing domains of control : Islam and human rights in Malaysia Shamsul Amri Bin Baharuddin Baharuddin, Shamsul Amri Bin 108

8 Muslims in Malaysia : notions of human rights reform, and their contexts Patricia Martinez Martinez, Patricia 118

9 Indonesian Islamist perspectives on human rights Greg Fealy Fealy, Greg 142

Bibliography 154

Index 167