With a view to develop the dialogue with Muslim scholars in North Africa and the Middle East, the Regional Engagement Unit of the ICRC in Amman on November 10-11, 2019, organized a two-day workshop for 14 high profile scholars from Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to discuss the influence of Islamic Law on humanitarian challenges in contemporary armed conflicts.

Over the two days, Muslim scholars and the ICRC experts discussed protection of civilians in Non-International Armed Conflict (NIAC) according to Islamic Law and IHL, humanitarian organizations and their role in promoting peace and social cohesion, protection of the missing and their families, management of the dead and mutilation of dead bodies, and the rules regarding prisoners of war (POWs).

The majority of participants highlighted the importance of the ICRC relationship with Muslim scholars and they agreed that the ICRC should strengthen its long-term relationship/partnership with Islamic circles, also noting that Muslim scholars are influential community leaders and can play an important role in the dialogue with key stakeholders, policy makers and Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs).

Very lively and constructive exchanges took place between the participants about the Islamic jurisprudence on key humanitarian issues, their role in this regard, and how they can support the ICRC in achieving its humanitarian objectives.