Investigating the Relationship between Protection of Minorities And Regional Peace and Security in Islam and International Law

Maintenance of international peace and security seems to be impossible without having regional peace and security, which itself is dependent upon the stability and security in national societies. The historical upheavals demonstrate that the protection of minorities is essential for regional and international stability, peace and security, and discrimination against persons belonging to these groups, always has subjected internal stability and regional and international peace and security into serious danger. Both the principal philosophy of Tribute Contract in Islam and the instrumental aim of minoritie's protection system are to prevent war and conflict between persons belonging to minorities and those of majority populations in the light of territorial integrity of the states, and consequently maintenance of regional and international peace and security. Therefore, due to securing peace and security, minorities should be protected and the enjoyment of these groups from their rights must be assured. The authors in this article believe that protection of minorities and guarantying their rights and resorting to pacific approach of Islam regarding the co-existence of different social groups, as a principal instrument for preventing the outbreak of ethnic conflicts, is of vital importance for the maintenance of regional peace and security.