Salam there,
Yesterday evening MUIS, Harmony Centre and MClub hosted a welcome dinner for Dr Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Director of the Peacebuilding and Development Institute at the American University. We had a mixed group of policy-makers, interfaith practioners and academics at the dinner. Dr Abu-Nimer will be in town for the next 3 days engaging various groups in conversations on peacebuilding and nonviolence in the Islamic context.
Dr Abu-Nimer’s research examines the many teachings from the Qur’an and hadith that espouse peace and nonviolence in conflict resolution. He is also an inter-faith practioner who has had experience in conflict zones such as the Palestine and the Mindanao region.
At the welcome dinner last night, we all had a stimulating and entertaining discussion on a framework for inter-faith peacebuilding. The three models of peacebuilding that Dr Abu-Nimer presented in his clear (and at times very humourous style) included the harmony model, the differences/conflict model and liberation theology model. I don’t wish to lecture you on these, so go ahead and do more research on these theories.
He’ll be giving a lecture today, on Friday, 12 December 2008, from 7.30pm – 10.00pm, at the Toa Payoh Central Community Club (Theatrette, Level 3)Â on The Alternative Vision: Peacebuilding and Nonviolence in Islam. Tell your friends about it and hope you can join us too!
Wassalam – Jalees