Reenvisioning Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution in Islam

"""Qamar-ul Huda makes a forceful case that an understanding of Islamic peacebuilding strategies must be a central part of the international peacebuilding field. His analysis offers fresh perspectives and innovative tools for reconciliation, peace processes, national dialogues on the past. This is a very welcome addition to the growing literature on the role of religion in peacebuilding."" --Christine Schliesser, senior lecturer of systematic theology and ethics, Zurich University ""This book greatly enlarges our understanding of the possibilities of peacebuilding across the world. By demonstrating that Islamic traditions provide abundant resources for conflict resolution, this book enriches our efforts at intercultural peacemaking and augments our understanding of global culture."" --Mark Juergensmeyer, professor emeritus of global studies and sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara Reenvisioning Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution in Islam fills an important gap in peace studies, conflict resolution, and human security. With compelling case studies, Huda argues that specifically Islamic approaches to these fields in relevant contexts would deepen a resonance with civil society actors and complement hard power diplomacy. Highly recommended. --Tamara Sonn, director of the Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University Huda's challenge to the now-dominant peacebuilding field contributes in a rich and positive way to the ongoing pursuit of a more just, sustainable and peaceful world. The book explores many dimensions of Islamic peacebuilding's essential contributions to the work for peace in a troubled world. --Marie Dennis, former president, Pax Christi International In the face of relentless terrorism and propaganda from radical groups in Muslim-majority communities and unfettered headlines regularly portraying Islam as a violent tradition, this book examines diverse ways in which local Muslim peacebuilders design and implement programs based on nonviolence, reconciliation, community healing, and forging acceptance of others through peace education and their creative moral imagination. --Qibla Ayaz, director, Institute of Islamic and Arabic Studies, University of Peshawar This book fills a crucial and needed gap in understanding the varieties of and complex dynamics of peacebuilding in Muslim countries. Huda successfully demonstrates the wide misconceptions often raised by Western scholars about the compatibility of religious diplomacy and peacebuilding with a paradigm of liberal objectivism toward creating equitable societies. --Rashad Bukhari, director, International Research Council for Religious Affairs This book is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the role of religion in peacebuilding, with a focus on Islam and its diverse traditions. It combines rigorous scholarship with inspiring vision and deserves to be widely read and discussed by all who care about the constructive role of religion in the future of humanity. --Ammar Khan Nasir, Director of Islamic Studies, Gujranwala Institute of Future Technologies University ""Huda, a master of the art of peace and diplomacy, skillfully blends scholarship, passion, and practicality to offer fresh perspectives on conflict resolution and peacebuilding, as demonstrated in this timely and captivating book."" --Flamur Vehapi, author, The Alchemy of Mind and Kosovo: A Short History ""Qamar-ul Huda's insightful work provides a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of Islamic peacebuilding principles and practices in the modern world. The book outlines a practical vision for fostering inner and communal peace amidst global conflict, highlighting real-world applications of peace education and conflict resolution strategies. This book is essential reading for both scholars and practitioners."" --Tahir Abbas, professor, Institute of Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University ""Qamar-ul Huda's work is a must-read for the international affairs and donor community. There is often a mismatch between peacebuilding and conflict resolution educational endeavors and the reality on the ground in Muslim-majority societies. This engaging and astute analysis unpacks this conundrum and provides an alternate conceptual and practical framework."" --Peter Weinberger, senior advisor, World Learning Institute ""This book does what many books in the field of peacebuilding fear to do: it acknowledges religion's vital role in peace and conflict and legitimizes religious peacebuilding with research and analysis. Qamar-ul Huda provides a resource to the broader community, from peacebuilders to policymakers, that will transform their work to become more inclusive, expanding the peacebuilding toolkit."" --Paul Turner, president, The Peace Fund ""This is a significant contribution to peace and methods of conflict resolution as recorded in the classical sources of Islam. Huda's work explores the relevance of these Islamic methods and approaches to peacebuilding in contemporary circumstances where there are many misperceptions. This work is a bold vision to help readers understand peacebuilding from the perspectives of Islam."" --Muhammad zia Rehman, President of International Islamic Research University, Pakistan"