This thesis examines the state of Islamic law in the modern context as perceived by the Muslim scholar Abdullahi an-Na`im, assessing its suitability for contemporary society, with particular emphasis upon its relationship to international human rights standards. The first part of this work reviews the impact of the nation-state upon the current international structure and then considers Islamic law as it was classically conceived and developed. The focus of this discussion addresses the importance of clear and definite texts in the Qur'an and the roles of ijtihad and naskh in us&dotbelow;ul al-fiqh, exploring the dimensions of flexibility and change allowed in this system. The second part involves an investigation of the development of international human rights standards and provides an appraisal of their authority and validity by which the Shari'a is today judged. The areas in the Shari'a that are seen to conflict with these modern standards, specifically the status of women and non-Muslims, and criminal punishment, are examined. Finally, the methodology for the reform of Islamic law proposed by an-Na'im is then evaluated, with due consideration given to the importance of hermeneutics and historical context. The value given to the difference between the Meccan and Medinan verses for the construction of a new understanding of the Qur'an within the framework of legal methodology is presented, as are the methodological tools that an-Na'im employs for modern legal reform.

M.A. (Bible Studies) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

No description available.

My topic is an analysis of the various theories of multiculturalism and how they would respond to controversial issues concerning freedom of speech with regard to religious sensitivities. While Western nations have often concentrated on 'nation building', or the integration of citizens into public institutions, there has been the emerging trend of minority rights and 'multiculturalism' (Kymlicka, 2001, pp. 2-3). Groups with diverse interests and political agendas are resisting assimilation into wider society and are struggling for acceptence, respect and public affirmation of their differences (Parekh, 2000, p. 1). While the nation state has not become obselete, many of its traditional functions have lost their relevance and value and we therefore need to reconceptualize its nature and role (Parekh, 2000, pp. 193-194). Many nations have a new found interest in multicultural policies and Australia has declared itself multicultural in the early 1970's as did Canada; and the debate around multicultural policies has raged on in Britain, Germany and Israel since the 1960's (Parekh, 2000, p. 5). In Kymlicka's view, public opinion has shifted from seeing minority rights as a pragmatic compromise to a matter of fundamental justice (Kymlicka, 2001, p. 6). One controversy that multiculturalist policies have raised is issues of tolerance of cultural difference, including group rights. This is evident on a daily basis, from the storm around Muslim girls wearing headscarves in France, to the debate surrounding the use of French as a first language in Quebec; multiculturalism has been asked, what should be tolerated? In my dissertation I will look at the controversial topic of freedom of speech within liberal democratic systems. Freedom of speech is an integral part of a democratic system, and in democratic systems discussion is often cited as a means of reaching consensus and compromise. Free speech is also intended to explore new ways of thinking and to criticize ways of thinking and living. The difficulty comes when there are certain topics, such as the lampooning of Islam and the Prophet and denying the Holocaust, which are deemed to be off limits by certain groups. Different liberal philosophies however have differing views on what the limits of free speech are. I will be looking into these philosophies and whether the limits they set apply to the Danish cartoon controversy and to the David Irving case of Holocaust denialism. There are three broad theories of how liberal systems ought to deal with the demands of a plural society. These are 'classical liberalism', 'liberal nationalism' and 'multiculturalism'. In broad terms, classical liberal theory is intolerant of special group rights, liberal-nationalism affirms certain kinds of group rights within a liberal framework, and multiculturalism asserts the equality of cultures, and questions the primacy of liberalism. The question that I will be answering is how these theories deal with group rights when those groups ask for the limiting of speech that is deemed offensive to group culture or religion. In a more global society, different cultural and religious groups have differing levels of tolerance toward certain kinds of speech. Certain groups value freedom of speech with very few constraints, whilst others believe that that some speech is harmful and disrespectful to their culture or religion. Questions about the viability of these different cultural and religious groups co-existing have been highlighted by recent events. The two cases to be explored in my analysis will be, firstly, the outcry following the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed in Denmark. Many of these cartoons were seen to be derogatory to Muslims and the depiction of the Prophet is also not allowed in many Islamic traditions. Much of Danish society felt that although these cartoons were offensive and in bad taste, they had to protect their right to freedom even though it may be offensive to others. This pits the Islamic culture against that of the Danish 'liberal' culture and asks the question of whether 'liberal' culture or 'multiculturalism' can assure religious tolerance? My second example is the controversial case involving the historian David Irving and his questioning of the Holocaust. This questioning led to his imprisonment in Austria for the crimes of Holocaust denial. This case involves someone expressing his freedom of speech, yet many liberal-democratic countries have laws expressly prohibiting this kind of Holocaust denial. The reasoning behind such laws is to protect the sentiments of Jewish community and the suffering they endured under the Holocaust. In both cases, the interests of religious groups are invoked as being sufficiently harmed, and the liberal right to free speech should therefore be limited. Hence the thesis looks to explore religious tolerance available in classical liberal, liberal-nationalist and multiculturalist systems at a theoretical level. I will also argue that certain kinds and manner of speech, such as speech that lampoons and offends group sensibilities, should be limited in certain cases and that liberal-nationalism provides the most fair way of adjudicating disputes. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

This thesis is an attempt to examine one of the most important on-going debates in contemporary Islamists' discourses, namely, the status and rights of religious minorities in an Islamic state. The call by Islamists for the establishment of such a state governed by the Shari'ah has given rise to criticism that Islamization would entail the revival of the discriminatory rulings of traditional Islamic law with respect to non-Muslim citizens and the negation of the modern principle of the right to equality for all citizens irrespective of religious belief. To provide a background to the problem, this study presents a brief review of the stance of traditional Islamic law on the status and rights of non-Muslims living within the domain of Islam. This tradition has informed the discourses of contemporary Islamists on the question. Two currents of thought are examined: radical and moderate Islamism. Radical Islamists assert that granting non-Muslim citizens equal status and rights with Muslims is inconsistent with the teachings of Islam, although in stating this they confirm the apprehensions that Islamization would result in institutionalizing discrimination against religious minorities. Moderate Islamists on the other hand maintain that the concept of equal rights for all citizens is compatible with the tenets of Islam. Nonetheless, their arguments are not without problems as there are limits to how far they are willing to go in offering equal status and rights to non-Muslims.

No description available.

Text in Afrikaans / Menseregte is 'n saak wat sedert die Tweede Wereldoorlog met sy grootskaalse vernietiging en chaos internasionaal al hoe sterker op die voorgrond begin tree het. Dit is veral buitelandse, maar ook binnelandse beskuldigings ten opsigte van rassisme en apartheid in ons land wat aanleiding begin gee het tot onderhandelings rakende die uitwerk van 'n handves van menseregte vir alle inwoners hier te lande Die historiese ontwikkeling van menseregte in belangrike Westerse lande, maar ook binne sosialistiese konteks, bied belangrike perspektiewe vir die verstaan van hierdie kwessie. Ongelukkig is die kerk se stem vir baie jare nie oor hierdie aangeleentheid gehoor nie. Ook het die NG Kerk dit beskou as 'n liberale, humanistiese en kommunistiese aanslag teen hulle "Skrifgetroue" lewensiening. Omrede so baie mense hulle besluite in terme van hulle geloofsbeskouing neem, word daar duidelikheid oor die saak gesoek in die Bybelse beskouing van die begrippe geregtigheid, menswaardigheid en vryheid. Sekere hermeneutiese probleme word onder oe geneem sodat die volle waarheid oor hierdie saak aan die orde kan kom. Na aanleiding van bogenoemde gebeure het die regering aan 'n Regskommissie opdrag gegee om 'n akte van menseregte op te stel. Die klem wat hierin op verskillende eerstegenerasieregte gele word ten koste van sekere noodsaaklike sosio-ekonomiese regte, wat vir soveel swart inwoners van ons land so belangrik is, word krities geevalueer. Hierteenoor le die ANC in sy konsep-manifes op realistiese wyse klem op hierdie sogenaamde tweedegenerasieregte en regstellende optrede. Daar word bevind dat di t die mees volledige en toepaslike dokument van sy soort in ons land is, omrede dit vanuit n situasie geskryf is wat deeglik rekening hou met die eiesoortige behoeftes van die Swartes. Die hele kwessie van menseregte waardeur mens teen mens beskerm word, bring oak die kwessie van diere- en plantregte na vore. n Omgewings-poli tieke beskouing wat voorkeur gee aan die sosio-ekonomiese belange van mense ten koste van omgewingsbewaring, word bespreek. Ten opsigte van hierdie sake word die mens deurgaans in die Skrif opgeroep om God in sy optrede teenoor sy medemens, dier en plant te vergestalt / Human rights is a matter which has come strongly to the fore since the Second World War with its wholesale destruction and chaos. It was especially foreign, but also internal accusations of racism and apartheid in our country which gave rise to negotiations to draw up a charter of human rights for all the inhabitants of our country. The historical development of human rights in important Western countries, but also in a socialist context, provides important perspectives for an understanding of the matter. Unfortunately the voice of the church was not heard on this matter for many years. The Dutch Reformed Church has also seen it as a liberal, humanist and communist attack on their "true" scriptural understanding of life. Because so many people make their decisions in terms of their faith, clarity is sought on this matter in the Biblical concepts of justice, human dignity and freedom. Certain hermeneutical problems are considered to arrive at an accurate understanding of the Biblical message. As a result of the above-mentioned chain of events, the government appointed a Law Commission to draw up a bill of human rights. The emphasis in this draft bill of rights which is laid on various first generation rights at the expense of essential socio-economic rights, which are so important to many black inhabitants of our country, is critically evaluated. In contrast, in its proposed bill of rights, the ANC emphasises this so-called second generation rights and affirmative action in a realistic way. It is found that this is the most complete and appropriate document of its kind in our country, because it was written from a situation which thoroughly takes account of the distinctive needs of the Blacks. The whole matter of human rights brings the matter of animal- and plant-rights to the fore. A view on the politics of the environment which prioritizes the socio-economic interests of the people at the cost of nature conservation, is discussed. With regard to these matters humankind is called upon throughout the Scriptures to manifest God in their conduct towards their fellow-man, animals and plants / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Teologiese etiek)

Thesis (D.Th.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the possibility of building a more humane and dignified society and asked the pertinent question: what is the role of the bills of rights in building a more humane and dignified society? What is the role of moral responsibility in the creation of such a community? Is the correlation between these two initiatives conflicting or is it complimentary? In searching for answers to the abovementioned questions, chapter two gives a short historical overview of the origin and development of the human rights idea. The purpose and nature of human rights as well as the different kinds of rights are discussed. This chapter also specifically surveys the development of how human rights in South Africa. Chapter three evaluates the advantages of human rights in various contexts. Countries like Sweden and The Netherlands that have a long history of human rights are investigated. African countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and South Africa are investigated to get a picture of human rights in Africa. The theological basis of human rights is discussed in chapter four. Before the theological arguments for human rights are forwarded, the arguments against human rights and the ambiguous relation between theology and human rights are discussed. Hereafter it is shown that theological arguments from a trinitarian faith perspective, central biblical terminology such as justice, human dignity, equality and freedom can be motivated. It is also argued from the various church traditions that human rights can be theologically supported. Chapter five argues that apart from the acceptance of a bill of rights, the theological support human rights enjoys, moral responsible people is necessary for building a more humane and dignified society. For this reason the ethics of responsibility is also explained. The role of laws are investigated as well as how the revising of laws can assist in the establishing a humane and dignified society. The role of moral formation is also discussed. The practise of the different community institutions such as business, media, statutory bodies and civil society are explained to indicate how it can help in this regard. The role of the political will is also discussed. The study is concluded by stating the most important findings. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die moontlikheid van die daarstelling van ’n meer menswaardige samelewing en vra pertinent: wat is die rol van handveste van menseregte in die bou van ‘n menswaardige samelewing? Wat is die rol van morele verantwoordelikheid in die bou van ‘n menswaardige samelewing? Is die korrelasie tussen hierdie twee inisiatiewe konflikterend of komplimenterend? In die soeke na antwoorde op bogenoemde vrae, bied hoofstuk twee ‘n kort historiese oorsig oor hoe die menseregte-idee ontstaan en ontwikkel het. Die doel en aard van menseregte sowel as die verskillende soorte menseregte word beskryf. In hierdie hoofstuk word spesifiek ook ondersoek ingestel na die ontwikkeling van menseregte in Suid-Afrika. Hoofstuk drie ondersoek die vrug van menseregte in verskeie kontekste. Lande soos Swede en Nederland wat ‘n lang menseregte geskiedenis het, word ondersoek. Afrikalande soos die Demokratiese Republiek van die Kongo, Kenia en Suid-Afrika word ondersoek om ‘n prentjie van menseregte in Afrika te kry. Die teologiese begronding van menseregte word in hoofstuk vier aan die orde gestel. Alvorens die teologiese argumente ten gunste van menseregte gestel word, word die argumente teen menseregte en die dubbelsinnige verhouding tussen teologie en menseregte geskets. Hierna word daar aangetoon dat menseregte vanuit die trinitariese geloofsbekouing, sentrale bybelbegrippe soos geregtigheid, menswaardigheid, gelykheid en vryheid begrond kan word. Daar word ook vanuit die verskillende kerklike tradisies geargumenteer dat menseregte teologies ondersteun kan word. Hoofstuk vyf toon dat benewens die aanvaarding van ‘n Handves van Menseregte en die teologiese ondersteuning wat daar vir menseregte is, moreel verantwoordelike mense ook nodig is vir die skep van ‘n meer menswaardige samelewing. Om hierdie rede word die etiek van verantwoordelikheid toegelig. Die rol van wette word ondersoek asook hoe die hersiening van wette kan meehelp in die daarstelling van ‘n menswaardige samelewing. Die rol van morele vorming word ook toegelig. Die praktyke van die verskillende samelewingsinstansies soos byvoorbeeld die sakesektor, media, statutêre liggame en die burgerlike samelewing word belig om aan te toon hoe dit kan meehelp in hierdie opsig. Die rol van die politieke wil word ook toegelig. Die studie word afgesluit met ‘n uiteensetting van die belangrikste bevindinge.

Text in Afrikaans / Menseregte is 'n saak wat sedert die Tweede Wereldoorlog met sy grootskaalse vernietiging en chaos internasionaal al hoe sterker op die voorgrond begin tree het. Dit is veral buitelandse, maar ook binnelandse beskuldigings ten opsigte van rassisme en apartheid in ons land wat aanleiding begin gee het tot onderhandelings rakende die uitwerk van 'n handves van menseregte vir alle inwoners hier te lande Die historiese ontwikkeling van menseregte in belangrike Westerse lande, maar ook binne sosialistiese konteks, bied belangrike perspektiewe vir die verstaan van hierdie kwessie. Ongelukkig is die kerk se stem vir baie jare nie oor hierdie aangeleentheid gehoor nie. Ook het die NG Kerk dit beskou as 'n liberale, humanistiese en kommunistiese aanslag teen hulle "Skrifgetroue" lewensiening. Omrede so baie mense hulle besluite in terme van hulle geloofsbeskouing neem, word daar duidelikheid oor die saak gesoek in die Bybelse beskouing van die begrippe geregtigheid, menswaardigheid en vryheid. Sekere hermeneutiese probleme word onder oe geneem sodat die volle waarheid oor hierdie saak aan die orde kan kom. Na aanleiding van bogenoemde gebeure het die regering aan 'n Regskommissie opdrag gegee om 'n akte van menseregte op te stel. Die klem wat hierin op verskillende eerstegenerasieregte gele word ten koste van sekere noodsaaklike sosio-ekonomiese regte, wat vir soveel swart inwoners van ons land so belangrik is, word krities geevalueer. Hierteenoor le die ANC in sy konsep-manifes op realistiese wyse klem op hierdie sogenaamde tweedegenerasieregte en regstellende optrede. Daar word bevind dat di t die mees volledige en toepaslike dokument van sy soort in ons land is, omrede dit vanuit n situasie geskryf is wat deeglik rekening hou met die eiesoortige behoeftes van die Swartes. Die hele kwessie van menseregte waardeur mens teen mens beskerm word, bring oak die kwessie van diere- en plantregte na vore. n Omgewings-poli tieke beskouing wat voorkeur gee aan die sosio-ekonomiese belange van mense ten koste van omgewingsbewaring, word bespreek. Ten opsigte van hierdie sake word die mens deurgaans in die Skrif opgeroep om God in sy optrede teenoor sy medemens, dier en plant te vergestalt / Human rights is a matter which has come strongly to the fore since the Second World War with its wholesale destruction and chaos. It was especially foreign, but also internal accusations of racism and apartheid in our country which gave rise to negotiations to draw up a charter of human rights for all the inhabitants of our country. The historical development of human rights in important Western countries, but also in a socialist context, provides important perspectives for an understanding of the matter. Unfortunately the voice of the church was not heard on this matter for many years. The Dutch Reformed Church has also seen it as a liberal, humanist and communist attack on their "true" scriptural understanding of life. Because so many people make their decisions in terms of their faith, clarity is sought on this matter in the Biblical concepts of justice, human dignity and freedom. Certain hermeneutical problems are considered to arrive at an accurate understanding of the Biblical message. As a result of the above-mentioned chain of events, the government appointed a Law Commission to draw up a bill of human rights. The emphasis in this draft bill of rights which is laid on various first generation rights at the expense of essential socio-economic rights, which are so important to many black inhabitants of our country, is critically evaluated. In contrast, in its proposed bill of rights, the ANC emphasises this so-called second generation rights and affirmative action in a realistic way. It is found that this is the most complete and appropriate document of its kind in our country, because it was written from a situation which thoroughly takes account of the distinctive needs of the Blacks. The whole matter of human rights brings the matter of animal- and plant-rights to the fore. A view on the politics of the environment which prioritizes the socio-economic interests of the people at the cost of nature conservation, is discussed. With regard to these matters humankind is called upon throughout the Scriptures to manifest God in their conduct towards their fellow-man, animals and plants / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Teologiese etiek)

Understanding human dignity is integral to protecting human rights. An examination of Canada‘s Supreme Court decisions and Canadian public policy debates reveals that human dignity is being defined synonymously with individual autonomy and equality. This narrow understanding has serious implications for people who are not able to assert their autonomy. To understand the philosophical ideas behind these decisions, this thesis examines classical, modern, and postmodern accounts of human dignity and concludes that they fall short in providing an objective grounding for dignity that is truly human. It then looks to the Judeo- Christian account of human dignity to provide a transcendent foundation for human dignity. With this account, persons are rational and physical, relational, inviolable, and teleological – a hopeful contrast to the prevailing contemporary accounts. This thesis then defends the place of this religious perspective in our secular country. / vi, 182 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.