PUBLIC LECTURE: Islam and Human Rights: Perspectives from Saudi Arabia

The concept of human rights in Islam has attracted a lot of attention in the post 9/11 era. Human rights, it has been argued can not be discussed in the realm of religion or Islam but can only exist within a secular realm. What are the accepted definitions of human rights and how can it be understood within Islam? What are the Saudi perspectives regarding human rights? Two distinguished scholars from Saudi Arabia will address these issues during their visit to the Centre for Muslim States and Societies, at the University of Western Australia.

His Excellency Dr Ali Ibrahim Al-Namlah will speak on the theoretical aspects of human rights within Islam. He is a former member of the Saudi Parliament Majlis Ashura (1994 to 1999) and Former Minister of Labor And Social Affairs (1999 to 2005). Dr Al-Namlah served for six years in Saudi Arabia's Consultative Council, on the Committee for Education, Culture, and Information Affairs. He led the move to reform the educational system in order to prepare Saudi Arabian society for economic reforms in Saudi Arabia. He is currently the Professor of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Computer Science, at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh. He was earlier posted as the former Assistant Cultural Attache of Saudi Arabia in Washington D.C. He received his PhD in Library and Information Science at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. Dr Al- Namlah has authored more than 30 books addressing issues such as intercultural relations and dialogue as well as over 20 research papers.

His Excellency Prof. Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Al-Omari will discuss contemporary and historical applications of human rights within Islam. He is currently a Professor of History and Civilization at Imam Mohammed Bin Saud University. Prof. Al -Omari is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Portfolio Brokerage and Financial Services Company. He received his PhD from Imam Mohammed Bin Saud University in Riyadh and specializes in Administration and Regulation in the Early Age of Islam. Prof. Al- Omari has published over 20 research papers and 13 books.