This thesis examines the concept of multiculturalism and its equivalence in Islam. It investigates the Islamic core sources of the Qur'an and <i>Sunnah</i> (Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) in relation to the ‘other’, i.e. those who are seen as different. In this view, the thesis looks into the Qur'anic injunctions and those Prophetic traditions that deal with issues concerned with the treatment of non-Muslims, their status in Islam, and the Islamic codes of ethics and conduct that outline the basics of the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims, with a particular reference to <i>Ahl Al-Kitāb</i>, i.e. the People of the Book, in multicultural diverse context. By highlighting these issues the thesis aims to explore the Islamic theoretical concept of multiculturalism and the contribution this framework can make to diverse multicultural societies in our present time. To draw on the application part of the Qur'anic perspective in relation to others, this work examines two historical documents that represent the early Muslim applications of the Qur'anic code of conduct with regards to non-Muslims. The first is the “document of Madīnah” which was concluded by the Prophet Muhammad in the first year of <i>Hijrah</i> (622 CE) in the context of Madīnah of Arabia. The second document is ‘Umar’s Assurance of Safety’ that was granted by the second Caliph ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattāb to the Christians of Aelia (Jerusalem) shortly after the first Muslim conquest of 637 CE. The objective of this study is to create a paradigm through which Islam as a major religion can contribute to the discourse of multiculturalism in terms of building bridges between Muslims and their non-Muslim fellows. This work investigates how Islam looks at difference and diversity and the basics on which the relation between Muslims and non-Muslims stands.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:540317 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Kazmouz, Mahmoud Mataz |
| Publisher | University of Aberdeen |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=166208 |
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