Mazhun Idris, of Nigeria, took "Peacebuilding Approaches to Violent Extremism" with Lisa Schirch at last summer's Summer Peacebuilding Institute. His participation was sponsored by the organization hosting his 1-year appointment, the Center for Islam and Religious Freedom in Washington D.C.
Counterpunch
Hero Anwar Brzw听was 听born on May 25, 1971 in Sulaymaniyah in Kurdistan, Iraq. She got her bachelor鈥檚 degree in civil engineering in 1992 at Salahaddin University in Erbil, Iraq, and an MA in conflict transformation from CJP in 2009. 听She is the Deputy Country Director for听听(Rehabilitation, Education and Community Health) in Iraq.
...In my childhood in Pakistan, I was never taught that Islam advocates for violence and hatred against anyone. As I have been learning more about the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself, I see how he was mistreated multiple times by the non-Muslims and never even responded back in the same way, but instead advised to be calm and humble in response. These real life examples set by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were revolutionary and are at the heart of our faith. So then, why have many Muslims adopted violent responses to issues like blasphemy, smashing the true spirit of Islam identifying its followers with violent public riots and extremism?
Coming to the Table chapters have increased from 10 local groups across the country to 32, including three in the Baltimore area. They initially focused on white-black relations but have expanded to others affected by racism.