UN sponsors seminar on Islam and human rights

The United Nations top human rights official, Mary Robinson, opened a seminar on Islamic perspectives of the Universal declaration of Human Rights with a call for tolerance and better understanding between cultures and religions, KUNA reported.

"I believe the discussions which are beginning now will make a contribution to the dialogue between civilizations and to the building of the global civilization based on respect for human Rights," Robinson said.

The Seminar, officially entitled "enriching the Universality of Human Rights: Islamic perspectives of the Universal declaration of Human Rights," has brought together 20 experts in Islamic law.

The experts were chosen in consultation with the Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) on the basis of the depth of their Islamic legal background and knowledge of human rights and their acquaintance with other systems and cultures, Robinson said.

Secretary General of the OIC, Azedine Laraki, welcomed the Seminar as an evidence of a constructive spirit and a broad-minded approach to the mutual understanding of cultures.

The seminar features three major topics: "Islam, the principle of non-discrimination and the Universal declaration", and includes non-Muslims and Muslims' rights.

The second theme is "Islam, civil and political rights and the Universal declaration", and covers topics like freedom of thought, faith, movement, the rights of citizens, and criminal justice.

The third topic that the Seminar will cover is "Islam, economic, social and cultural rights and the universal declaration," and will debate issues relating to zakat (alms) and the right to development.