Islamic universals and implications for global communication ethics

ABSTRACT

In an attempt to validate the importance of universal communication ethics for democracy anywhere, especially in the Middle East, this essay focuses on answering the question: Are there universalisable Islamic ethics that are applicable to communication theory? Yes, there are, the author of this essay contends. However, he goes on to establish that Islam as understood by many Muslims today needs a major reformation or else it will continue to be a destructive force. The essay further discusses Islam as two distinct levels; one that suited the times of Prophet Mohamed and another that suits our time. It then relates this premise to global communication ethics as understood and practiced today.

KEYWORDS:

• Peace communication
• Islam and democracy
• universal ethics
• Islamic
• reformation
• ethical communication

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributor

Haydar Badawi Sadig (Ph.D. Ohio University) is associate professor of mass communication at Qatar University. Previously, he taught in the Sudan, the USA, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Besides global ethics of communication, he published, in both English and Arabic, on Islamic reform communication, cross-cultural communication, international communication, and related areas.