Pluriel

University platform for research on Islam

Initiated by
the Federation
of European
Catholic
Universities

Supported by
the International
Federation
of Catholic
Universities

Ressource

video | See all resources

English

2022

Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, Human Rights and Democracy

Title of the lecture : ‘Embracing the Other: Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri‘s approach to Human Rights and Democracy’

In the Western world, the Pakistani politician and Islamic scholar Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is quite well known. The reason is an extensive fatwa published in March 2010 by which he condemned terrorism and suicide bombing as unjust and evil, and thus un-Islamic.

In his publications Tahir-ul-Qadri tries to show that human rights and democracy by no means are achievements of Western culture and its Jewish-Christian traditions. Instead, he insists on the fact that Muhammad and the first Muslims already established human Rights and democracy.

Very briefly, the paper will present Tahir-ul-Qadri’s concept of human rights and democracy, evaluate it critically, and outline some perspectives for further discussion respecting a shared understanding of human rights and democracy that might benefit from legal Western standards as well as from the moral resources of Islamic tradition.

Lecture given at the 3rd International Congress of the PLURIEL network, 23-27 May 2022 in Beirut.
In partnership with Saint Joseph University of Beirut and La Sagesse University.

Titre de la conférence : “Embrasser l’autre : L’approche de Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri en matière de Droits de l’Homme et de démocratie”

Dans le monde occidental, l’homme politique pakistanais et érudit islamique Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri est assez connu. La raison en est une vaste fatwa publiée en mars 2010, par laquelle il condamne le terrorisme et les attentats-suicides comme étant injustes et mauvais, et donc non islamiques.
Dans ses publications, Tahir-ul-Qadri tente de montrer que les droits de l’homme et la démocratie ne sont en aucun cas des acquis de la culture occidentale et de ses traditions judéo-chrétiennes. Au contraire, il insiste sur le fait que Muhammad et les premiers musulmans avaient déjà établi les droits de l’homme et la démocratie.
Très brièvement, l’article présentera le concept des droits de l’homme et de la démocratie de Tahir-ul-Qadri, l’évaluera de manière critique et esquissera quelques perspectives pour une discussion ultérieure concernant une compréhension commune des droits de l’homme et de la démocratie qui pourrait bénéficier des normes juridiques occidentales ainsi que des ressources morales de la tradition islamique.

Conférence donnée lors du 3è congrès international du réseau PLURIEL, du 23 au 27 mai 2022 à Beyrouth.
En partenariat avec l’Université Saint Joseph de Beyrouth et l’Université La Sagesse.

Resources related toViolence and religion

publication

Speaking freely in Islam

  • Hamadi Redissi

What is the Islamic doctrine of blasphemy, insult to God, religion and the Prophet? What about the prohibition of figurative representation of Muhammad? Can one openly believe or abjure in Islam? T...

publication

The authoritarian republic. Islam in France and the Republican illusion

  • Haoues Seniguer

Publisher’s presentation The logic of suspicion has become the compass of the French state. Since 2015 and the attacks of January and November, the preventive and repressive policy of the Sta...

article

Religious Radicalism. The Challenges of an Ill-Defined Concept in Europe

  • Mohamed-Ali Mostfa

Ali Mostfa, professor of linguistics and discourse analysis at the Catholic University of Lyon, analyses the semantic shifts about the notion of religious radicalism, particularly since the Septemb...

videos

Thinking Islam in Europe

  • Alberto Fabio Ambrosio

Interview with Alberto F. Ambrosio, dominican friar, professor of Theology and Histpry of Religions at the Luxembourg School of Religion & Society. Reporter : Raphaël Georgy With the collabor...

videos

Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, Human Rights and Democracy

  • Dirk Ansorge

Title of the lecture : 'Embracing the Other: Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri‘s approach to Human Rights and Democracy' In the Western world, the Pakistani politician and Islamic scholar Muhammad Tahir-ul-...

publication

Thinking Jihadist Radicalisation: Actors, Theories, Transformations

  • Elyamine Settoul

Like many countries, French society is facing the rise of violent radicalisation phenomena with a politico-religious referential. From the factors of jihadist commitment to the processes of disaffi...

article

Islamic Hermeneutics of Nonviolence: Key Concepts and Methodological Steps

  • Adnane Mokrani

The article traces the key concepts and methodological steps that make an Islamic theology of nonviolence plausible. It offers the tools for a critical reading of classical texts, “sacred” history,...

videos

Does the pandemic affect radicalisation?

  • Patrice Brodeur

Collaboration between Canadian and French researchers in the framework of the Centre Jacques Cartier talks, promoting partnerships between the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and Quebec.