Muscat – College of Shari’a Sciences’ 3rd International Humanitarian Law in the Light of Islamic Jurisprudence Conference commenced on Monday at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre with participation of 20 countries.

The opening was held under the patronage of H E Sheikh Abdulmalik Abdullah al Khalili, Chairman of State Council, in the presence of senior officials, dignitaries and international guests.

The three-day conference aims to explore the intersection between international humanitarian law (IHL) and Islamic law principles, focusing on issues related to armed conflicts and human rights during war.

The conference will feature 167 research abstracts from scholars worldwide and present 90 papers, highlighting the role of Islamic jurisprudence in promoting peace and safeguarding the rights of conflict victims, particularly in the context of IHL and their legal applications.

Discussions include the definition and principles of IHL, protection of conflict victims, lawful methods of combat, accountability for war crimes, and contribution of Ibadi jurisprudence to conflict-related legal frameworks.

The conference has brought together prominent experts in international law and Islamic jurisprudence, representatives of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and various government bodies.

Dr Rashid bin Ali al Harthy, Dean of College of Shari’a Sciences and Chairman of the conference’s Main Committee, emphasised the goal of showcasing the legislative wisdom of the Qur’an and the sunnah (Prophet’s teachings), underscoring Islam’s principles of tolerance and its potential to offer effective solutions to modern humanitarian challenges in armed conflicts.

Sheikh Dr Kahlan bin Nabhan al Kharousi, Assistant Grand Mufti of Oman, stated, “The topics discussed in this conference are the most pressing issues of our time. It is essential to trace the roots of religion, offering humanity a sound approach that will open blind eyes and make deaf ears hear.”

Gilles Carbonnier, Vice-President of ICRC, said, “This conference comes at a crucial time, particularly for the Arab world where millions of civilians are enduring the devastating consequences of armed conflicts, from Gaza and Lebanon to Syria, Yemen, Sudan and beyond. These conflicts represent a tragic reality for millions of children, women, the elderly and men alike. In this context, the international humanitarian conference seeks to prevent the suffering of war victims.”

The College of Shari’a Sciences held the first edition of this conference in 2018 and the second in 2023.