Together We Stand

[ 90 ] Together we stand: religion as a means towards peaceful coexistence Zeshan Zafar and Sumbella Khan, The Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies I n a world of hyperconnected mass communication, viral misunderstandings and tense global political climates, it has sadly become a default to begin by mentioning the negative energies pervading our world today. Excessive levels of media-exacerbated negativity and problems fuelled by extreme reactions to political-reli- gious dialogue have become the norm. As a much-needed antidote to the escalating levels of humanitarian crises in our world, the goal of this publication is to broadcast and highlight the positive initiatives that are serving to relieve and rid the world of its most critical problems. Such a noble cause resonates strongly with the mission and work of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies. Founded in 2014 by Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdallah bin Zayed al Nahyan, Foreign Minister for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Forum for Peace 1 is built upon the fundamental idea that religion must be a means toward peaceful co-exist- ence. As a world-renowned scholar of Islam, Sheikh Abdallah’s place as a respected peacemaker stems from his honourable and unique position as one of the world’s most trusted living authorities on and points of reference for Islam, for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. As the forum’s mission is to promote the positive, peaceful message of Islam on both a global and local level, it is uniquely placed to connect, unite and build partnerships to positively impact all members of the societies withwhich it works. The very premise of the Forum for Peace and the core belief of Sheikh Abdallah, articulated here by SheikhHamza Yusuf Hanson, vice-president of the Forum for Peace and president of Zaytuna College, Berkeley, USA, 2 is simple, yet carries a profoundly important message: “peace is not simply a starting point — it is the only point.” Set up particularly as a peace-seeking response to the critically violent situation in many parts of the Muslim world, the Forum for Peace has been pioneering the use of sound Islamic guidance to restore the primary narrative through clarity, calm and peace- ful methods of resolution to conflict-ridden communities. It has drawn together political, religious, royal and community forces to promote peace at both a global and grass-roots level. In the spirit of standing together in solidarity with all who are making an effort to end humanitarian crises around the world, some of the recent work of the Forum for Peace in pioneering and implementing the use of religion to establish- ing peaceful communities around the world is highlighted below. Strategically based in Abu Dhabi, the work of the forum continues to extend far beyond the borders of the UAE: from uniting the religious leadership of the war-torn Central African The Central African Republic Intra-Muslim Dialogue and Capacity-Building Conference provided a tailored platform for progress and a safe space to foster healthy dialogue Images: The Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies T ogether W e S tand