As part of the Youth Leadership Program at the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies, a lecture titled “Religion and State” was delivered on the 19th training day (Saturday, October 3, 2026) to participants of the program’s ninth cohort. The lecture was presented—on a voluntary and much-appreciated basis—by Dr. Riad Al-Subh, a human rights expert and consultant.
The lecturer addressed the concepts of freedom and freedom of belief in light of international human rights standards, highlighting the dangers of hate speech and explaining the positive impact of doctrinal, cultural, and intellectual diversity on societal stability. He also discussed the concept of identity as defined in Arab constitutions—covering both religious and national dimensions—and emphasized the importance of viewing religion as an element of a society’s public identity. He noted that national identity is defined through legal and rights-based frameworks, stressing that religion should not be exploited for political purposes; rather, politics should be left to address its own interests, circumstances, and practical needs.
