A doctoral dissertation titled “The Other in Contemporary Islamic Political Thought” was discussed at the College of Political Science, University of Baghdad. The dissertation was submitted by PhD candidate Thaer Hadi Marhej and supervised by Assistant Professor Dr. Ahmed Adnan Aziz.
The study shed light on the concept of “the other” within contemporary Islamic political thought through both linguistic and terminological analysis, supported by interwoven intellectual, humanistic, and political contexts. The dissertation also examined the stances of major currents within various Islamic sects toward “the other,” analyzing fatwas and discourses and classifying them into three main orientations: rejectionist, conciliatory, and supportive.
The research revealed that attitudes toward contemporary issues such as democracy, freedoms, citizenship, dialogue, and political participation are not fixed; rather, they shift according to temporal and spatial contexts. This reflects the dynamic nature of Islamic political thought in the modern era.
The dissertation recommended promoting a discourse of acceptance and openness, grounded in Islamic principles and historical experience, in order to help foster coexistence and stability in contemporary Islamic societies.
At the conclusion of the defense, the candidate was awarded a PhD degree with a grade of “Very Good.
