Human Rights and Human Development in the Arab and Islamic World

The book critically examines the authoritarian nature of Islam and its historical disregard for human rights, particularly in relation to Sharia law. It contrasts Islamic governance with Western developments in human rights stemming from the American and French Revolutions. The author argues that Islam prioritizes divine law over human-made laws, leading to severe restrictions on apostasy and the conversion of non-Muslims. This analysis highlights the enduring traditional views in Islam that hinder the progress of human rights compared to other faiths that have adapted to modern philosophical thought.