The Nuclear Weapons Dilemma: A Religious, Ethical, and Global Legal Perspective

In this thought-provoking lecture, Prof. Dr. Shahbaz Manj explores the complex and dangerous reality of nuclear weapons from religious, moral, and international legal perspectives. The discussion highlights the current Iran-Israel conflict, where nuclear capability and strategic threats have reignited global fears of catastrophic warfare. While Israel remains a non-signatory of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) and possesses undeclared nuclear weapons, Iran — a signatory to the NPT — faces intense scrutiny and sanctions, revealing the deep double standards in the international system. Dr. Manj critically evaluates how religious teachings, particularly in Islam, forbid mass destruction and the indiscriminate killing of civilians, aligning closely with moral theories like Just War. He further explains the significance of the TPNW (Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, 2017), which legally bans nuclear weapons and provides an ethical framework for global disarmament. However, the major nuclear powers have refused to join it, clinging to outdated doctrines of deterrence. In an age of escalating tensions, Prof. Manj argues, endorsing and empowering the TPNW is not just a legal necessity but a moral and religious imperative — a step toward justice, peace, and the preservation of humanity. #NuclearWeapons #IranIsraelConflict #NonProliferationTreaty #TPNW #InternationalLaw #JustWarTheory #IslamicPerspective #religionMoralPhilosophy #GlobalDisarmament #DoubleStandards #DeterrenceDoctrine #HumanitarianLaw #ReligiousEthics #StrategicThreats #PeaceAndSecurity #WeaponsOfMassDestruction #EthicsOfWar #NuclearInequality #MiddleEastGeopolitics