Experts share thoughts at the seminar held at the Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics.
Doha: A public seminar on migrant workers’ rights and issues in Qatar recently called for the implementation of Islamic code of ethics.
The Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE), a member of Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies at Qatar Foundation held the seminar titled ‘Migrant Workers: Ethical Perspectives on Challenging Questions’.
Attendees discussed the enhancement of migrant workers’ living conditions and the collaboration of civil society with governmental institutions to ensure the implementation of laws and the issuance of new ones, to protect workers from the abuse of their employers.
The event was part of a series of public seminars and lectures organised by CILE, combining both scholars of Islamic law and text, in forums that tackle critical issues in various fields and professions. These include methodology, bioethics, environment, politics, food, psychology, economics, education, media, arts and gender issues.
Participants at the seminar included Sheikh Dr Ahmed Raissouni, President of the League of Sunni Scholars; Boyko Atanasov, Programme Director in the American Center for International Labour Solidarity; and Dr Musab Al Khair, Professor at the College of Shariah and Islamic Studies at Qatar University. The event was moderated by Dr Jasser Auda, Deputy Director of CILE.
Atanasov highlighted migrant workers’ living conditions through the legal and social difficulties they go through, from signing job contracts in their home countries to settling and submitting to their employers’ rules.
Dr Raissouni focused on the principle of human dignity and its critical importance in Islam. He criticised the mistreatment of migrant workers and the violation of their rights, and referred to the Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings which required gentle and kind treatment of workers and employees.
Echoing these views, Dr Al Khair called for the implementation of Islamic ethics with workers, especially in relation to honesty, truthfulness and fulfilling promises.
The seminar was attended by faculty members and students of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, in addition to a number of media and law specialists.
The Peninsula
