Textual accumulation between the document on human fraternity and the constitution of Medina: A foundational textual study
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Abstract
This study aims to elucidate the epistemic convergences between two historically pivotal documents that have played a significant role in consolidating the principle of social coexistence. The Constitution of Medina was formulated by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) following the Hijra to establish the social order of Medina, while the Document on Human Fraternity, issued in Abu Dhabi, represents a contemporary framework for promoting tolerance and mutual understanding among humanity.
Both texts are grounded in enduring values of fraternity, rapprochement, and coexistence. The study seeks to identify what may be termed textual accumulation, a concept inspired by Algirdas Julien Greimas’s semiotic approach. This concept extends beyond intertextuality or structural similarity to denote the convergence and continuity of texts at the levels of structure and context. From this perspective, the study reveals the interrelations between the Constitution of Medina, which organized a pluralistic society within a framework of justice and equity, and the Document on Human Fraternity, which established the principle of civil tolerance within a comprehensive humanistic horizon.
The study does not confine itself to textual analysis alone; rather, it extends to examining the reflection and continuity of this textual affinity within educational curricula and national and media discourse in the United Arab Emirates. These values have become embedded within institutional awareness and strategic orientations aimed at fostering a culture of tolerance and coexistence among nations. The study demonstrates that the presence of these two texts is not limited to their historical or doctrinal dimensions; instead, it extends to function as an active element in shaping contemporary educational and media discourse, thereby affirming the enduring nature of the text and its capacity for renewal across generations.
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