Islam and Peacemaking in the Middle East (Hardback)  | Released: 2010

Islam and Peacemaking in the Middle East begins with a set of provocative questions: How, for example, do Muslims conceive of peace? To what degree do differences in the interpretation of Islam affect the ways in which peace is sought in the contemporary Middle East? Through analysis of regional trends and case studies, the authors explore various Islamic ideas of peace and their bearing on difficult ethnic, nationalist, and civic conflicts. The result widens the parameters for serious discussion of Islam"s contributions—real and potential—to ongoing negotiations. About the AuthorNathan C. Funk is assistant professor of peace and conflict studies at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Abdul Aziz Said is professor of international peace and conflict resolution and founder of the Center for Global Peace at American University.Table of Contents: Introduction • THE CONTEXT: TRANSFORMATIONS IN ISLAMIC-WESTERN RELATIONS • The Need for a New Story • Religious Resources for Peacemaking: Engaging Islam • ISLAMIC PEACE PARADIGMS • Peace Through Coercion: The Problem of Force in Islamic Politics • Peace Through Equity: Islamic Perspectives on a Just and Cooperative World Order • Peace Through Conciliation: Forms of Islamic Conflict Resolution • Peace Through Nonviolence: A Paradigm of Peaceful Striving • Peace Through Universalism: Islamic Spirituality and the Culture of Peace • RECOMMENDATIONS • Preparing for Peace • An Agenda for Islamic-Western Cooperation.