The Rumi Forum held a conference titled “Islamic Traditions of Peace and Nonviolence: Responding to Contemporary Challenges” at the American University in Washington, D.C with the cooperation of the University’s Center for Global Peace & Mohammed Said Farsi, Chair of Islamic Peace, Salam Institute for Peace and Justice and United States Institute of Peace.
The conference focused on linking theological and religious interpretations of peace and nonviolence with tangible practices at the community level as well as policy making. Given the common representation of Islam, in the Western media in particular, Islam and nonviolence might not seem to be compatible. Indeed, Islamic tradition of nonviolence is deep rooted, and interest in the Islamic tradition of nonviolence has been revived over the last few years with various Islamic movements and leaders now searching for ways to employ nonviolence as a means of social transformation. In this context a dialogue and exchange among Muslim scholars, religious authorities, and practitioners regarding the traditions of peace and nonviolence and how they can be applied in the contemporary world, would contribute significantly to constructively address the issues facing Muslims in our current world.
The Speakers of the Conference and the titles of their speeches were as follows:
Abdul Aziz Said, Mohammed Said Farsi Chair of Islamic Peace; Director, Center for Global Peace, American University
Imam Yahya Hendi, Muslim Chaplain, Georgetown University: “Peace and Justice in Islamic Narratives“
Ayse Kadayifci-Orellana, Assistant Professor, American University; Salam Institute for Peace and Justice: “Islamic Tradition of Nonviolence: A Conceptual Framework“
Qamar-ul Huda, Senior Program Officer, Religion and Peacemaking Program, US Institute of Peace, “Minarets without Muezzins: Why is it Important to have Peace Education Studies Programs in Muslim Communities?“
Zeki Saritoprak, Dept. of Religious Studies, John Carroll University, “Bringing Theology to Life: Fethullah Gulen and the Practice of Peace“
Sayyid M Syeed, National Director, Office of Interfaith & Community Alliances, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) “Peace and Nonviolence in Practice: Reformulating the American Muslim Discourse“
Susan Douglass, Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, “Teaching about the World and Its Faith Traditions–a Global Civic Enterprise“
Manal Radwan, Doctoral Candidate, George Mason University, “Nonviolence and Islamic Movements Today“
Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Professor, SIS, American University; Director, Salam Institute for Peace and Justice
Douglas M. Johnston, President and Founder, International Center for Religion and Diplomacy: “Faith-based Diplomacy: Bridging the Religious Divide“
Daisy Khan, American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA): “Women and Youth as Changemakers“
Mohamed Nimer, Adjunct Faculty, American University: “Middle East Peace Building: Engaging the Islamists“
Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, President, Minaret of Freedom Institute: “Taking Inspiration from Nonviolence in Muslim History in Present challenges“
