Minorities and the State in the Arab World. Theoretical and comparative implications and considerations

Minorities and the State in the Arab World. Theoretical and comparative implications and considerations Dr. Hassan AssiAcademic and Researcher in Anthropology Although the Arab world is united by many social and historical factors, it is composed of a plurality of ethnic, national, cultural, linguistic, and sectarian affiliations with ancient origins and complex entanglements. Achieving recognition of multiculturalism with this pluralism has proven to be extremely difficult and conflicting, particularly in Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. There has been a change in Arab perceptions of multiculturalism and minorities, which has been reflected in recent revisions of the Arab Charter on Human Rights. Despite its theoretical and practical shortcomings, the revised Arab Charter on Human Rights may prove to be a useful starting point for bridging this gap. The Charter contains several provisions relating to multiculturalism and minority rights, which would steer towards a more diverse-sensitive direction.