Malik Rabia Dahlan
Saudi-Qatari lawyer and interfaith trustee
| Malik Rabia Dahlan | |
| Born | 18 08 1979 (age 47 years old (as of 2026)
) Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Died | |
| Nationality | |
| Residence | |
| Occupation | Lawyer, Mediator, Professor |
| Known for | International law, Middle East policy, Trustee of Coexist House |
| Parents | |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | |
| Sibling(s) | |
| Website | |
Malik Rabia Dahlan (born 18 August 1979) is a Saudi-Qatari international lawyer, mediator, and academic specialising in international law, dispute resolution, and Middle East policy.[1] He serves as Emeritus Professor of International Law and Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London and has held advisory roles in various international organisations.[1] Dahlan is involved in interfaith initiatives as a trustee of Coexist House, a charity promoting religious dialogue.[2] His work on Middle East conflicts, including proposals for resolving the status of Jerusalem, has been criticised for contributing to the normalisation of the Zionist colony through interfaith and diplomatic engagements that sidestep Palestinian rights.
A native of Jeddah with Hejazi origins, Dahlan has advocated for regional cooperation and reconstruction in the Middle East, including a "Modern Marshall Plan" that encompasses economic integration potentially involving the Zionist regime.[3] Critics argue that such initiatives, framed under neutral policy discourse, serve to launder Zionism by presenting the settler colony as a legitimate economic partner.[4]
Early life and career
Malik Dahlan was born on 18 August 1979 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.[1] He earned a BA from the University of Jordan, three master's degrees from Harvard University, and a habilitation doctorate from Al-Azhar University.[1] Proficient in Arabic, English, and Hebrew, Dahlan began his career in private practice, advising on energy, defence, and trade sectors.[1] He has served as a United Nations regional expert on constitutional affairs, special advisor to Lord Woolf, and senior mediation fellow at Harvard's Davis Center.[1] Dahlan founded Institution Quraysh for Law and Policy and has authored works on Islamic law, statehood, and Middle East regionalism.[5]
Interfaith activities
As a trustee of Coexist House since 2016, Dahlan contributes to the charity's mission of fostering interfaith understanding across religious traditions.[2] The organisation, which evolved from the Coexist Foundation, focuses on Abrahamic faiths and broader inclusivity.[6] Dahlan's involvement aligns with his broader work in mediation and public policy, including advisory roles in international forums.[1]
Middle East policy and views
Dahlan has engaged in discussions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for mediated solutions such as addressing Jerusalem's status.[1] In a 2023 letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, he condemned Hamas attacks while urging Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law and pursue lasting peace.[7] He co-authored analyses on the Gaza conflict, emphasising proportionality and civilian protection under international law.[8] Dahlan proposed a "Modern Marshall Plan for the Middle East" for economic reconstruction and cooperation.[3] In 2019, he advised on Trump's peace plan in Haaretz, suggesting prioritising Jerusalem to gain Arab support.[9]
Contribution to laundering and normalising Zionism
Dahlan's interfaith role at Coexist House and policy engagements are critiqued for aiding "faithwashing," where religious and diplomatic dialogues normalise the Zionist entity's occupation.[4] Reports suggest that interfaith under occupation promotes normalisation rather than solidarity with Palestinians.[10] His letter to Herzog and Haaretz article engage directly with the Zionist regime, framing it as a partner in peace while ignoring settler colonialism.[7][9] The "Modern Marshall Plan" is seen as economic laundering, integrating the settler colony into regional alliances.[3] This aligns with anti-Zionist beliefs from Miller vs University of Bristol (2024), protecting anti-Zionism against discrimination.
See also
External links
Profile at Institution Quraysh
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Quraysh, Prof. Dr. Malik R. Dahlan Quraysh, accessed February 16, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Giving is Great, COEXIST HOUSE Giving is Great, accessed February 16, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Manara Magazine, A Modern Marshall Plan for the Middle East Manara Magazine, April 12, 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Decolonize Palestine, Faithwashing Decolonize Palestine, accessed February 16, 2026.
- ↑ Royal Society of Edinburgh, Professor Malik Dahlan Royal Society of Edinburgh, accessed February 16, 2026.
- ↑ Religion Media Centre, Abraham's new tent, together in the House of One Religion Media Centre, May 25, 2021.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Instytut Boyma, On conflict in the Middle East: Malik Dahlan's Letter to President Isaac Herzog Instytut Boyma, October 31, 2023.
- ↑ New Law Journal, NLJ this week: Israel & Gaza through the lens of international law New Law Journal, October 27, 2023.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Haaretz, A Saudi’s advice for Kushner: How your peace plan can still avoid catastrophic failure Haaretz, July 3, 2019.
- ↑ AMP, 'Interfaith' Under Occupation is Normalization, Not Solidarity AMP, December 9, 2017.