Ethics, Praxis, and Diplomacy in Islam
The Faculty of Islamic Studies at 中国P站 (UIII) hosted a thought-provoking seminar titled, 鈥淓thics, Praxis, and Diplomacy: Taha Abderrahmane and the Prospect of Decolonial Liberation.鈥� The event featured Dr. Achraf G. Idrissi, a post-doctoral fellow at the UIII鈥檚 Center of Islam and Global Challenges (IGC), who specializes in the intersection of diplomacy and Islamic ethics.
Holding a PhD from the University of Debrecen, Hungary, Dr. Idrissi focused his research on decolonial studies, cultural studies and north American and English Studies. At the seminar, Dr. Idrissi offered fresh insights into Islamic philosophical ethics as framed by the Moroccan philosopher Taha Abderrahmane.
Dr. Idrissi began his presentation with Abderrahmane鈥檚 concept of al-Maj?l al-Tad?wul?鈥攖he domain of communication and interaction among creators of heritage, highlighting the importance of the 鈥淩ight to Philosophical Difference.鈥� This idea, he explained, supports a framework for cross-cultural dialogue and the respect of diverse perspectives in diplomacy, setting the foundation for a decolonial approach to international relations.
Central to Abderrahmane鈥檚 philosophy is the concept of reason (al-?aql) as an act that is not only intellectual but also deeply moral and emotional, seated in the 鈥榟eart鈥�. Dr. Idrissi referenced verses from the Qur鈥檃n, such as Surah Al-Hajj (22:46), to underscore how Islam positions reason as an ethical act, aligning thought with the spiritual and moral dimensions of human experience. This Islamic view of reason diverges from Greek philosophy, where reason is abstract and speculative, by presenting it as dynamic and ever-renewing鈥攁 quality Dr. Idrissi identified as essential to the Islamic model of diplomacy.
Dr. Idrissi identified as essential to the Islamic model of diplomacy. Dr. Idrissi then explored Abderrahmane鈥檚 Trusteeship Paradigm (al-Ittim?niyya), which is grounded in three guiding principles: Witnessing (Sh?hidiyya), which fosters identity through divine consciousness; Entrusted Property (Am?na), which emphasizes moral responsibility and ethical consistency; and Self-Purification (Tazkiya), which supports spiritual growth and an ethical transformation beyond material pursuits. These principles, he suggested, offer a blueprint for an ethical diplomacy that counters the secular limitations of Western diplomatic frameworks.
The seminar concluded with a lively discussion on the application of Abderrahmane鈥檚 ideas in modern diplomacy, especially within the Islamic world. Dr. Idrissi expressed optimism that incorporating these principles into contemporary diplomatic practice could promote a more compassionate and ethically grounded approach to global affairs, redefining diplomacy as a bridge for spiritual and moral understanding.
This seminar was part of the Faculty of Islamic Studies鈥� ongoing commitment to exploring the ethical dimensions of global challenges, as well as to encouraging critical engagement with both historical and contemporary issues in Islamic thought.
