Urban renewal, cultural tourism, and community development: Sharia principles in a non-Islamic state

This chapter explores the potential application of an Islamic ethical framework, based on sharia principles, to pro-poor tourism projects, specifically emphasizing the importance of charity, hard work, and self-sufficiency. In order to illustrate the appropriateness of fit of this framework, there is an initial discussion of Islamic principles derived from the Qu’ran and Sunnah in relation to current pro-poor tourism literature. After developing an Islamic pro-poor tourism framework, it is then compared to an existing multi-faceted heritage and community development project with an Islamic ethical underpinning. The Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative, spearheaded by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, is large urban renewal project based in New Delhi focusing on socio-economic, environmental, and heritage improvements around Sundar Nursery, Humayun’s Tomb, and Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti. This project illustrates the suitability of an Islamic framework to sustainable, pro-poor tourism activities due to the inclusion of the input of multiple stakeholders and a justice-based approach to development.