New USIP Book Challenges Perceptions of Islam
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) announces the publication of "Crescent and Dove: Peace and Conflict Resolution in Islam" (October 2010, ISBN:978-1-60127-060-3). This volume examines the creative ways in which Muslims are engaging in Islamic peacemaking around the world while acknowledging the challenges Muslim peacebuilders face in mitigating violence and extremism. Drawing from the work of Muslim scholars and practitioners in many fields, the book explores Islamic peacebuilding through the lenses of theology, history, economics, education and gender.
For Immediate Release, September 13, 2010
Contact: Lauren Sucher, 202/429-3822; lsucher@usip.org or
Meaghan Pierannunzi, 202/429-4736; mpierannunzi@usip.org
Washington, D.C.—The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) announces the publication of "Crescent and Dove: Peace and Conflict Resolution in Islam" (October 2010, ISBN:978-1-60127-060-3). This volume examines the creative ways in which Muslims are engaging in Islamic peacemaking around the world while acknowledging the challenges Muslim peacebuilders face in mitigating violence and extremism. Drawing from the work of Muslim scholars and practitioners in many fields, the book explores Islamic peacebuilding through the lenses of theology, history, economics, education and gender.
Edited by Dr. Qamar-ul Huda of USIP’s Religion and Peacemaking program, "Crescent and Dove" addresses both theory and practice, delving into the intellectual heritage of Islam and exploring the practical challenges of contemporary peacemaking in Arab countries, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia.
“There is a real need to increase peacemaking activities through civil society organizations, tackle political stagnation, address historical memories of injustice, and find solutions to economic and political asymmetries and powerlessness in order to positively change Muslim communities,” said Huda. “With the multiplicity of problems, however, is also a multiplicity of opportunities: The diversity of traditions, cultures, opinions and civilizations within Islam greatly enhances and enriches the possibilities for peacebuilding. This volume explores a range of methods and processes that Muslim peacemaking actors use to manage, resolve and prevent conflict.”
Increased attention to extremist movements and the fundamental Islam they often espouse has created the widespread perception of Islam as a religion of irrational violence. These groundbreaking essays counter this perception by offering possibilities for nonviolent interventions, implementation of human rights, reinterpretation of sacred texts, peace education instruction and for teaching skills in mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution in an Islamic context.
