The Salam Institute for Peace and Justice and the Islamic Society of North America are happy to announce the successful completion of the first Annual Conference of Muslim Peacebuilding, Justice, and Interfaith Dialogue (MPJID) from April 28th-29th, 2006.  The main objective of the conference was to provide a space and opportunity for Muslim organizations and individuals to share their work and views on the themes of interfaith dialogue, development, peace, and justice.  Furthermore, the conference was paired with a two day Imam training in Islamic Perspectives of Conflict Resolution.  Both events were huge successes and resulted in an open call for the continuation of research and dialogue, both academically and practically in the areas of Islamic understandings of peace, Islamic principles and values of conflict resolution, interfaith dialogue and development, and how these principles can be applied to current day conflicts.

Panel 1: Peace through Development- Experiences from Muslim Communities and the Muslim World

This panel focused on the effect of development practices in Muslim communities on the peace and sustainability of both these communities themselves and their outside interactions.  The first case study was presented by Kathleen Meilahn, who spoken about the United States inability to create sustainable peace in Iraq due to its lack of cultural and religious understanding.  Ms. Meilahn was followed by Dr. Ayse Kadayifici-Orellana who presented the research of the Salam Institutes study on Muslim Peacebuilders in Africa and the Balkans.  Her major findings included the use and need to expand the Islamic concept of  'tawhid' which states that everything created by God emanates from God-and we must understand unity through plurality.  The final presentation was by Putut Widjanarko focused on the contribution of Ummah to reducing ethnic differences within Islam.

Panel 2: Intra-Muslim Dialogue

This panel focused on the need for intra-faith dialogue within the Muslim community.  The presenters pinpointed the Sunni-Shia spilt, differences between converted Muslims and born Muslims, as well as the difference ideological differences between the American Muslim Community.

Panel 3: Islamic Approaches to Mediation and Conflict Resolution

Imam Muhammad Shafiq began this panel with the survey of the state of conflict resolution and dialogue in the Muslim world today.   He expanded on the point that Muslim communities are more willing to participate in inter-faith dialogue then intra-faith dialogue.  Abd' Al-Hayy Weinman and Mohamed H. Mukhtar then expanded on the principals inherent in Islam to achieve medication and conflict resolution, including the practice of Jama'ah.  Jama'ah in African Islam involves the creation of a neutral buffer zone in the middle of a conflict which serves as a new community for victims. 

Panel 4: Peacebuilding, Democracy, and Human Rights in the Islamic Context

This panel focused on clarifying the place of these three themes in Islam by discussion their historical and current applications.  The case studies included both the historical and current place of women in peacebuilding in Islam, the historical example of the civil and pacifist strategies of the Meccan Phase, and the 2006 Palestinian elections. 

Panel 5: Islamic Approaches for Interfaith Dialogue

This panel provided several examples of interfaith dialogue by Muslims including the creation of a game, which was later workshopped at the conference, to encourage interfaith dialogue.  Imam Kazerooni presented on the role of civil society in interfaith dialogue, and Junaid Ahmed presented on the need to move beyond just dialogue to interfaith solidarity and justice campaigns. 

Panel 6: Successes, Lessons Learned, and Challenges Facing Muslims and Muslim Organization Working for Peace and Justice

This panel reviewed the importance of Muslim organizations working for peace as well as their challenges.  The two major organizations highlighted were the Interfaith Youth Core based out of Chicago and the American Muslim Voice.  The Interfaith Youth Core focused not only on the importance of dialogue but coordinated action, such as community service, to create true understanding; while the American Muslim Voice discussed their strategies for dealing with a lack of funding and communication with other organizations in their work. 

Contact Ashleigh Zimmerman at 202.244.8947 with any questions. You may also email her at mpjid@salaminstitute.org