What does the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam primarily focus on?

The Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam primarily focuses on providing an Islamic perspective on human rights, specifically integrating the principles of sharia law. It was adopted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 1990 and serves as a response to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This document emphasizes that rights and freedoms should be compatible with Islamic law, thus framing human rights within the context of Islamic teachings and principles.

The Cairo Declaration asserts that while human rights are important, they must be understood within the framework of Islam, which can lead to distinctions from the secular perspectives often found in international human rights instruments such as the UDHR. The significance of this is that it aims to ensure that the rights articulated align with Islamic values and moral frameworks, presenting a particular interpretation of human rights that prioritizes religious beliefs as foundational.