MISSION STATEMENT

Salam is a nonprofit organization for research, education, and practice on issues related to conflict resolution, nonviolence, human rights and development with a focus on bridging differences between Muslim and non Muslim communities. Founded by a group of academicians and practitioners in the field of conflict resolution, peace studies, Islamic cultural studies, and international development, Salam aims to:

• Provide scholarly and professional knowledge and expertise to governmental and non governmental organizations and individuals on various dimensions of political, socio-cultural, religious, and economic aspects of conflicts in Islamic context

• Enhance the knowledge base of Islamic models for conflict resolution and peace among practitioners, academicians, and policy makers

• Further the inter-religious dialogue among Muslims and non Muslims in western and non-western societies, as well as promote an action orientation towards peace and justice among the different communities

• Advance the integration of local traditions and values in areas of peace, conflict resolution and development

• Explore, develop, and utilize resources in Muslim communities to contribute to peacebuilding and development efforts in various conflict areas in the world.

Guiding Principles

The five principles that guide our work in peacebuilding and development reflect our professional values and ethics

• Inclusivity: recognizing that creating a space for all partiers affected by a conflict will certainly enhance the possibilities for a satisfactory resolution. Promoting inclusivity of diverse beliefs and views is essential for building healthy relationships

• Justice: In conflict situations satisfying people's sense of justice is a condition for reconciliation and healing. Salam's orientation and approaches are based on contributing to the understanding and framing issues related to justice, with a purpose of building a solid foundation for peace.

• Nonviolent approaches are the means to insure sustainable and durable resolution of any conflict of interests or values. Regardless of their religious, national, or cultural background individuals have the capacity to learn and practice nonviolent strategies to resolve their disputes.

• Environment of communities and individuals: The ability to build lasting peace depends to a great extent on overcoming the asymmetries between parties. Empowering those involved in conflict situation with knowledge, skills, access to resources, and general awareness of the conflict and its causes and dynamics, reduces the asymmetric relations inherited in a conflict dynamics and create an atmosphere conducive to peacebuilding and sustainable development.

• Equality: raising awareness of people against inherent assumptions of superiority based on categorical differences, such as: religion, gender, class, race, age, etc., and translating the value of equality into actual practice.