01929nas a2200217   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002653001600043653002700059653003300086653003500119653003700154653003600191100001900227245022300246856015000469300001200619490000800631520105200639022002001691                                       d10aIslamic law10adeliberate destruction10aIntangible cultural heritage10ainternational humanitarian law10anon-international armed conflict10aprotection of cultural heritage1 aVictoria Arnal00aDestructive trends in contemporary armed conflicts and the overlooked aspect of intangible cultural heritage: A critical comparison of the protection of cultural heritage under IHL and the Islamic law of armed conflict  uhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85117072647&doi=10.1017%2fS1816383121000461&partnerID=40&md5=a9926a39a35cd2597897b3de614e2230  a539-5580 v1023 aThe destruction of cultural heritage in armed conflicts has gained increasing political momentum and visibility over the last two decades. Syria, Iraq and Mali, among others, have witnessed the intentional destruction of their cultural heritage by non-State armed groups (NSAGs) that have invoked Islamic law and principles to legitimize their actions. The response of the international community has predominantly focused on the material aspect, to the detriment of the significant impact on the associated intangible manifestation of cultural heritage in local communities. This article argues that several Islamic legal rules and principles may, more adequately than international humanitarian law, safeguard the intangible dimension of cultural heritage in certain contemporary armed conflicts in Muslim contexts. It aims to demonstrate the importance of drawing from multiple legal traditions in order to enhance the protection of intangible cultural heritage in armed conflicts and to strengthen engagement with the relevant NSAGs. Copyright  a18163831 (ISSN)