Muslims greet one another under a banner reading "Islam is Peace" at a pro-government "Solidarity Day" rally Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001 in Peshawar, Pakistan. Many Muslims across Pakistan feel Islam has unfairly taken much of the blame for the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States, and feel the blame should instead be directed toward radical fundamentalism and terrorism on all fronts. (AP Photo/John McConnico)

In this workshop on the role of Faith in Peacemaking, the Institute's Religion & Peacemaking Initiative assembled Islamic scholars to discuss:

• What are the most important issues and forces behind contemporary Islamic activism?
• What is the Islamic perspective on violence and its justification?
• How viable are nonviolent approaches to jihad?
• What contributions can Islamic institutions make to peacemaking?
• What are the most important Islamic resources for peacebuilding and what are the Islamic approaches to reconciliation and coexistence?
• How can common ground between Islam and the West be sought at this time?
• How does Islamic jurisprudence seek to prevent or regulate violence?

Presentations were followed by questions from the floor and the Internet audience.

Co-Chairs

• Professor Abdul Aziz Said
  Mohamed Farsi Islamic Peace Chair, American University
• Dr. David Smock
  Director, USIP Religion and Peacemaking Initiative

Presenters

• Professor Mohammed Abu-Nimer
  American University
• Professor Azizah al-Hibri
  University of Richmond
• Professor Muqtedar Kahn
  Center for the Study of Islam & Adrian College
  
• Professor Sulayman Nyang
  Howard University