International Law professor and Islamic Universities’ Union secretary general, Jafar Abdul Salam, believes in Islam there is an emphasis on cooperative work, keeping one’s promises and respecting others’ rights, as bases of relations with others.

According to Al-Khaleej newspaper, Jafar Abdul Salam also believes that Islam presents a charter on international relations.

“There are civilised principles concerning the ideological, cultural, political and economic relationship between Muslims and followers of other religions,” he said.

He went on to say that in Islam and in the Quran one can find clear emphasis on forgiveness, peaceful coexistence and forbearance in international relations. “Unfortunately, however, because of holding onto international relation charters [rather than following Islamic teachings], there are hostilities among many Muslim nations nowadays.”

He added that neglecting Islamic ethics has led to disputes and even military conflicts between some Muslim nations. “What’s even worse is that some Muslim nations assist foreigners in invading, occupying and devastating Islamic countries and shedding the blood of their fellow Muslims.