ICRC and Al-Azhar discuss shared principles of humanitarian law and Islamic law

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Al-Azhar University held a joint seminar on 12 and 13 October, according to an ICRC news release published on 20 October. The event took place at the Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies, women's branch, in Alexandria.

The seminar aimed to explore the common principles of international humanitarian law (IHL) and Islamic law, and their relevance to people affected by armed conflict. According to the ICRC, the sessions covered the ICRC's work in Egypt, Al-Azhar's humanitarian efforts and the role of national committees in promoting IHL.

Professor Abeer Badawy, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies, said during the opening ceremony that the shared principles include safeguarding human dignity, promoting compassion and solidarity, and alleviating human suffering. Ahmed El-Sintrissy, Professor of Public Law at the Faculty of Sharia and Law in Cairo, said the similarities between the two legal traditions are not coincidental. He said modern IHL reflects ethical and humanitarian values that already existed.

The first day was for teachers and faculty members. The second day brought together 70 students from the Faculty of Sharia and Law, representing several governorates, the ICRC said.

A panel discussed the protection of missing persons and their families. According to the ICRC, the number of missing-person cases reported to the organisation has almost tripled over the past five years. Basant Abdel Meguid, Regional Legal Advisor at the ICRC, said families have a right to know what happened to their relatives and that states should take their needs into account when drafting legal and policy frameworks.

Badeea Al-Tamlawy, Professor of Comparative Islamic Jurisprudence at the faculty, said the right of families to know the fate of their loved ones is an ethical and legal right under Islam.

The ICRC described the seminar as part of the ICRC Egypt delegation's continuing work with Al-Azhar and its wider dialogue with Islamic scholars. The source did not give figures for participants beyond those stated above, and it did not say whether further seminars are planned.

Background

The ICRC is an impartial, neutral and independent organisation. It protects and assists victims of war and armed violence. According to the ICRC release, it operates in more than 90 countries, including Egypt. Al-Azhar University, based in Cairo, is one of the oldest institutions of Islamic learning in the world, the ICRC said.