Shared Values of Islamic and International Humanitarian Law for Global Peace

Depok, October 10, 2024 - Dr. Ahmed Al-Dawoody, Legal Adviser for Islamic Law and Jurisprudence at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), delivered an engaging public lecture at the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII) in Depok, West Java. 

His lecture explored the vital role of Islamic law in supporting international humanitarian principles, emphasizing how Islamic legal values intersect with International Humanitarian Law (IHL). 

Dr. Al-Dawoody began by addressing the foundational question, “Why Islamic Law?” He explained that the effectiveness of any legal framework lies not only in enforcing laws but in connecting them to the values that uphold them.  

Islamic law, with its comprehensive ethical foundation, enhances respect for IHL by linking universal legal principles with values shared within Islamic culture. This connection, Dr. Al-Dawoody argued, strengthens adherence to IHL, especially in conflict zones where local norms may resonate more deeply than international statutes alone. 

The lecture moved into an analysis of the role Islamic law plays across various legal systems worldwide, referencing the 2020 work by Emilia Justyna Powell on the application of Islamic law in states with Muslim majorities. Dr. Al-Dawoody explained that in these countries, where Islam influences personal, civil, and criminal law, Islamic legal principles inform both governance and societal values.  

The ICRC’s strategy, he noted, includes fostering dialogue across diverse cultures and legal systems, enhancing the global acceptance of IHL through an inclusive and respectful approach to local norms. 

Central to Dr. Al-Dawoody’s lecture was the compatibility between Islamic law and IHL. Citing the ICRC’s own definition, he described IHL as “a set of humanitarian rules designed to limit the effects of armed conflict, protect civilians, and regulate the conduct of hostilities”.  

Core principles such as distinction, proportionality, and precaution align closely with Islamic guidelines on the ethical conduct of warfare. For instance, Islamic law upholds a principle similar to IHL’s “distinction” by mandating protection for non-combatants like women, children, the elderly, clergy, and the disabled.  

This emphasis, he noted, reflects an alignment between IHL and the ethical imperatives within Islamic law to safeguard the dignity of all individuals. 

Additionally, Dr. Al-Dawoody emphasized the importance of mutual understanding and respect between Islamic law and IHL frameworks, as articulated in the ICRC’s 2024–2027 strategy. By building bridges across diverse cultural and religious traditions, he argued, the ICRC and the international community can foster a deeper and more widespread commitment to humanitarian principles. 

The lecture by Dr. Ahmed Al-Dawoody was held following the MoU between UIII and ICRC to collaborate in the fields of education, research, and dialogue on the intersection of International Humanitarian Law and Islamic Law.  

Dr. Al-Dawoody’s lecture left attendees with a richer understanding of how Islamic law complements and enhances IHL, creating pathways for a humane approach to warfare that respects both universal humanitarian norms and local values.

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