Peace and Reconciliation in International and Islamic Law - Kaleem Hussain - Review
The word “conflict” would likely cross one’s mind when thinking of the Middle East. We cannot blame one for having such a negative thought due to the region’s theatres of conflict that so far have not shown any signs of stopping yet. The enduring war between Palestine and Israel which was reignited in October 2023, and the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021 with its oppressive rule mainly targeting women, have been making headlines worldwide. A stone’s throw away from Afghanistan, Kashmir is still the centre of the long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan. Meanwhile, one religious faith is always found in all those conflict-ridden areas: Islam. This leads to questions such as, “Why does violence seem to revolve around Islam? Is it really a religion of peace as many people claim? Can Islam contribute to peacebuilding at all?” Kaleem Hussain, an observer of international relations and Islamic tradition from the UK’, Honorary Fellow at the University of Birmingham, has the answers.
Peace and Reconciliation in International and Islamic Law explains how each law addresses and resolves conflicts, as well as the potential of Islamic law to bring a fresh perspective to international law to help tackle global strife. The latter can be done by understanding the differences and similarities between both laws and using those similarities as a common ground to move towards the same goal: world peace. Like international law, Islamic law genuinely upholds the importance of peace and justice, two core values required to create and maintain harmonious relationships among nations. This commonality, along with some other things that international law and Islamic law share in common, allows both to complement each other and give birth to a new model that Kaleem Hussain theorises and calls theo-diplomacy. In his own words, “Theo-diplomacy is an approach wherein the interlocutors and advisers of the parties to a situation of conflict have religious literacy, appreciation and understanding of the contextual sensitivities of the conflict to help facilitate a pathway towards peace and reconciliation.”
To help readers familiarise themselves with the concepts of conflict, reconciliation, and peace, Kaleem Hussain wrote his book in chronological order. It begins with a thorough explanation of conflict resolution, arbitration, and peacekeeping or building based on international law, followed by Islamic law's take on the same matters. Then, a comparative analysis of both laws in regard to peace, reconciliation, conflict resolution, and arbitration is presented to further highlight the similarities and differences between international and Islamic law. Conflicts in Afghanistan, Palestine versus Israel, and Kashmir, as well as the peace and reconciliation processes for each, are described in the book too. This allows readers to learn what caused the turmoil in the first place, the grave repercussions suffered by the local residents, and how theo-diplomacy helps solve the disputes by providing faith-based conflict resolutions and diplomatic approaches. To finish off the book, he emphasises theo-diplomacy's big chance to successfully resolve the issues in these war-torn locations and bring long-awaited peace, thanks to its theological framework as well as diplomatic and political understanding.
Not only is it a suitable reference for those studying or working in the field of conflict and resolution, particularly the ones happening in the Middle East, Peace and Reconciliation in International and Islamic Law makes an informative reading for those interested in the issues. Every fact and argument are written in a straightforward style, making them easy to follow. Maps of Afghanistan, Palestine, Israel, and Kashmir are also included to give readers a geographical sense of where exactly the hostilities take place.
Despite its heavy emphasis on Islam, this book is not religious in any way. It discusses Islam from a general point of view and it provides simple definitions of each Islamic term and word mentioned in it, so that audiences of all beliefs can navigate their way through every paragraph with ease. It thus makes the reading experience feel universal.
Peace and Reconciliation in International and Islamic Law gives us new hope that world peace is achievable, that guns will finally be laid down and replaced with flowers in the Middle East and other war zones. Kaleem Hussain's theo-diplomacy is something worth trying for mediators, policymakers, and politicians alike, to put this theory into practice. As one may say, it takes two to tango, then it takes a collaboration between theology and diplomacy, between international law and Islamic law, to make peace. Kaleem Hussain puts it eloquently towards the end of the book, saying, “… by focusing on the synergies that exist in the lofty principles of international law, international humanitarian law, and Islamic law, one may provide a greater opportunity and hope for the parties to the dispute to reach a stage of common agreement, resolution, and peace and reconciliation.”
