USNA Hosts Seminar on Islamic Law

The U.S. Naval Academy Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies hosted a one-day seminar on Islamic law Oct. 11 for midshipmen, faculty and staff in Alumni Hall.

The seminar featured presentations by six leading experts on Islamic law, sometimes referred to as the “Shariah,” and was designed to instruct midshipmen on the basics of Islamic jurisprudence and its role in modern society.

Midshipman 2nd Class Kimberly Muirhead, whose family currently lives in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, is a political science major focusing on Middle East studies. As a child, she spent several years living in Jerusalem, on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides, and hopes to eventually make a difference in the future of Palestine.

For her, the seminar was an opportunity to learn more about Middle East culture.

“It is essential that I understand as much about the culture, geographical issues and political structures as I can in order to build a deep background understanding of what is needed to improve,” she said. “It's never too early to start collecting the tools to formulate creative, new solutions to century-old problems.”

During a presentation on Shi-a law, Muirhead was interested to see how small details in scripture, interpretation or historical perspective can lead to animosity and conflict between two sects of the same religion.

“A single change in one opinion can alter perspective on religion and what may be considered the ‘right interpretation,’” she said.

Muirhead believes it is important for midshipmen to understand major religions such as Islam.

“Religion inadvertently affects decision making, behavior, actions and motivations. To effectively relate to those whom we are leading, working or negotiating with, or trying to help, we can’t be ignorant,” she said.

Midshipman 1st Class Ian Cameron, of Rochester, Minn., said the seminar appealed both to mids and faculty with experience in the field and also to those less familiar with Islamic law.

“There were some great topics that we got into some depth about, but there was also a good general overview,” said Cameron. “Shariah law is often exaggerated in the media so for mids to learn about what it is and isn’t will be helpful in dispelling some common misconceptions. That information is going to be critical for those working in Muslim areas.”

The overview included discussion on how Islamic law provides for and protects freedom of religious choice and practice, the compatibility of Islamic law and secular law in the U.S., and the role of women in Islamic law, said Brannon Wheeler, director of the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies

Wheeler said the general overview was one of the most important aspects of the seminar

“Prof. Opwis, one of the speakers from Georgetown University, explained how as early as the 10th century, Islamic law enshrined the ideal that the purpose of law is to protect and maintain the community, to balance the rights of the individual and the community, and to provide for the free and continued development of human civilization,” said Wheeler.

Other speakers included visiting Distinguished Professor David Gompert, who spoke on how vital cooperation and understanding among different religions and cultures is to U.S. national security, and former U.S. Ambassador to Iran John Limbert, who now serves as the Class of 1955 Chair of Middle East Studies at the academy.