Jahanpour, Farhang2019-09-252019-09-252010-04-202007http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/174204The paper examines whether human rights concepts are applicable to Islam or not. It provides a comparative study of the popular perceptions of Islam versus the West, and argues that with a correct understanding of the Koran and Islamic teachings it is possible to defend human rights concepts from inside the Islamic texts. It also argues that most Western views of Islam are due to insufficient understanding of Islam and often based on political considerations, rather than on what Islam stands for. The long history of Islam's peaceful coexistence and interaction with other cultures and civilisations proves that the theory of a 'clash of civilisations' is wrong, and it is possible to establish real dialogue and understanding with Muslims.engWith permission of the license/copyright holderhuman rightsIslamReligious ethicsComparative religious ethicsArticle