Decolonizing Human Rights

Professor Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim challenges historical interpretations of Islamic Sharia and neo-colonial understanding of human rights, proposing a transformation from state-determined to people-centric approaches to human rights that empower individuals to decide how they will be understood and integrated into their communities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 09 December 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Professor Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim, in his extensive body of work, delves into challenging both historical interpretations of Islamic Sharia and the neo-colonial understanding of human rights. His goal is to advance the rationale of scholarship for social change by promoting the universality of human rights through internal discourse within Islamic and African societies and cross-cultural dialogue among human cultures.

In his book, Decolonizing Human Rights, An-Naim proposes a transformative shift from a human rights framework centered around state-determined practices to one that prioritizes a people-centric approach, empowering individuals to shape how human rights are understood and integrated into their communities. He aims to illustrate the crucial role of human agency in driving change, without suggesting that Islamic or any other society is inherently prone to politically motivated violence and consequent profound political instability.

An-Naim's work emphasizes the importance of engaging in critical dialogue and fostering understanding between different cultures and societies to promote the universal values of human rights. He advocates for a more inclusive and equitable approach to human rights that recognizes the diverse experiences and perspectives of individuals and communities. By challenging historical narratives and promoting a people-centric perspective, An-Naim seeks to contribute to a more peaceful and just world.

Weight: 238g
Dimension: 155 x 228 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108404570