DOCSLIB.ORG

Interfaith Dialogue and Religious Peacebuilding in the Middle East

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Interfaith Dialogue and Religious Peacebuilding in the Middle East Interfaith Dialogue and Religious Peacebuilding in the Middle East Irén Frändå UPPSALA UNIVERSITY Faculty of Theology Master programme in Religion in Peace and Conflict Master Thesis Spring 2016 0 Interfaith Dialogue and Religious Peacebuilding in the Middle East Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1. Relevance and Theme of the Study ............................................................................................ 3 1.2. Research Issues and Questions ................................................................................................... 4 1.3. Scope and delimitations .............................................................................................................. 4 1.4. Definitions ................................................................................................................................... 4 1.5. Structure of the Study ................................................................................................................. 5 1.6. Field Visits ................................................................................................................................... 6 2. Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1. Theoretical and Methodological reflections ............................................................................... 6 2.1.1. Some problems and priorities in working with this Master thesis .......................................... 6 2.1.2. A presentation of my working process ................................................................................... 8 2.2. A Qualitative Research ................................................................................................................ 8 2.3. Research Plan ............................................................................................................................ 10 3. Religion, History, Identity and Inter-faith dialogue – how to contribute to Peace, Forgiveness and Reconciliation? ........................................................................................................................ 11 3.1. Religious Landscape of the Middle East .................................................................................... 11 3.1.1. Outlook on the Current Situation ......................................................................................... 11 3.1.2. Historical Development and Identity of Christianity ............................................................ 13 3.1.3. Historical Development and Identity of Islam ...................................................................... 14 3.1.4. Conflict, violence and co-existence in the Middle East ........................................................ 15 3.2. Interfaith Dialogue and Religious Peacebuilding in the Middle East ........................................ 18 3.2.1. Outlook on the Current Situation ......................................................................................... 18 3.2.2. Interfaith Dialogue in the Middle East .................................................................................. 21 3.2.3. The Ministry of Reconciliation .............................................................................................. 22 3.2.4. The Peace making force in Religion ...................................................................................... 24 3.2.5. Partnership between Human Rights, Peace-Building and Religious Peace-Building ............ 26 3.3. Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process ............................................................................ 31 3.3.1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 31 3.3.2. The Cyprus conflict ................................................................................................................ 32 3.3.3. Religion demography ............................................................................................................ 33 3.3.4. Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process ........................................................................ 34 1 3.3.5. References of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process ........................................... 35 3.3.6. A work in progress ................................................................................................................ 39 4. Analysis and Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 41 4.1. Religious Landscape of the Middle East .................................................................................... 42 4.2. Interfaith Dialogue and Religious Peacebuilding in the Middle East ........................................ 43 4.3. Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process ............................................................................ 44 4.3.1. The concept of religious peacebuilding ................................................................................ 45 4.3.2. The religious potential in its peace-work .............................................................................. 46 4.3.3. The religious leaders ............................................................................................................. 46 4.3.4. Certain patterns that affect the peace-building process ......................................................... 47 4.3.5. Interfaith dialogue ................................................................................................................. 47 4.3.6. To address public issues of moral concern ........................................................................... 48 4.3.7. Partnership between human rights and religious peacebuilding ........................................... 49 5. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 49 6. List of references ........................................................................................................................... 51 7. Appendices .................................................................................................................................... 57 7.1. Field visits .................................................................................................................................. 57 7.1.1. A visit to Lebanon´s Bekaa valley .......................................................................................... 58 7.1.2. A visit to the Holy Land Israel/Palestine ............................................................................... 59 7.2. Joint Statement of the Religious Leaders of Cyprus ................................................................. 60 7.2.1. Joint Statement of the Religious Leaders of Cyprus, against all forms of attacks, terrorism and violence .......................................................................................................................... 60 7.2.2. Joint Statement on the Resumption of Peace Talks .............................................................. 61 2 1. Introduction 1.1. Relevance and Theme of the Study The conflicts in the Middle East have triggered the world´s largest humanitarian crisis since World War II. Humanitarian needs continue to rises, population displacements are increasing, and an entire generation of children has and is being exposed to war and violence, increasingly deprived of basic services, education and protection. The Middle East consists of three great religions; Islam, Christianity and Judaism. The current and acutely tense religio-political situation is perceived as threatening to many people and religious groups. Many Christians are leaving the region. Nowhere are the stakes of sectarian conflict as high as in the Middle East, and nowhere is the practice of interfaith dialogue more difficult. The Middle East is deeply affected by religious identities and meanings. A peace process based solely on secular values will probably not be sustainable. Several researchers recommend that the reconciliation must involve the religious believers and recognize the religiousness. The theme of this thesis is Interfaith Dialogue and Religious Peacebuilding in the Middle East. In the following I would like to introduce the religious landscape of the Middle East with particular focus on the Christians and the Muslims. Also, I seek to understand the value of inter-religious meetings and dialogue. Moreover, my intention is to have a deepened ability to reflect on the functions of religion as resource, identity and as a power for motivation in the political and social realities of the Middle East. Muslims and Christians have lived side by side through ages in the Middle East. What is common between Muslims and Christians lies not in something marginal. It lies, rather, in something absolutely central to both: love of God and love of neighbour. The common religious value is the basis of interfaith dialogue between Muslims and Christians. Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world’s population. Peaceful relations between Muslims and Christians stand as one of the central challenges of this century, and perhaps of the whole present
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Religious Authorities in the Military and Civilian Control
    PASXXX10.1177/0032329216638063Politics & SocietyLevy 638063research-article2016 Article Politics & Society 2016, Vol. 44(2) 305 –332 Religious Authorities © 2016 SAGE Publications Reprints and permissions: in the Military and Civilian sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0032329216638063 Control: The Case of the pas.sagepub.com Israeli Defense Forces Yagil Levy The Open University of Israel Abstract This article takes a step toward filling the gap in the scholarly literature by examining the impact of religious intervention in the military on civil-military relations. Using the case of Israel, I argue that although the subordination of the Israeli military to elected civilians has remained intact, and the supreme command has been mostly secular, external religious authorities operate within the formal chain of command and in tandem with the formal authorities, managing the military affairs. This religious influence is apparent in three major domains: (1) the theological influence on military deployment, (2) the exclusion of women from equal participation in military service, and (3) the role expansion of the Military Rabbinate as a quasi-state agency and its reflection in the socialization of secular soldiers and the development of alternative military ethics. Consequently, extra-institutional control of the military is at work. Keywords civilian control, extra-institutional control, military ethics, military service, religionization, theology Corresponding Author: Yagil Levy, Open University of Israel, Ra’anana 43107, Israel. Email: [email protected] Downloaded from pas.sagepub.com by guest on April 28, 2016 306 Politics & Society 44(2) Over the years, relations between religious communities and the military have changed in many industrialized democracies.
    [Show full text]
  • Why Interfaith Dialogue, Religious Pluralism, Liberation Theology, and Secular Humanism Are Needed for a Robust Public Square
    religions Article Humbling the Discourse: Why Interfaith Dialogue, Religious Pluralism, Liberation Theology, and Secular Humanism Are Needed for a Robust Public Square Peter Admirand School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Whitehall, Dublin 9, Ireland; [email protected] Received: 12 June 2019; Accepted: 23 July 2019; Published: 25 July 2019 Abstract: Our public square is in need of much refurbishment, if not reconstruction. Access for many seems barred by various ideological platforms and walls. Some are deemed too much of this, another too much of that: liberal, religious, anti-Trump, anti-Brexit, pro-life, anti-gay—whatever the label or brand—and some access points are opened, others closed. Gatekeepers are many, deeming who really counts, who really represents. The public square, of course, should be big, bustling, semi-chaotic “places”, rife with ideas, questions, passion, and curiosity, yet measured by standards of decorum, listening, and mutual respect. Most importantly, it should be characterized by a robust (or spunky) humility, aware of its strengths and its weaknesses. It is fair to say that in 2019, our public square could use a little uplift. While certainly not a miracle cure, nor the only possible salves, interfaith dialogue, religious pluralism, liberation theology, and secular humanism have much in their favor to nuance, challenge, and yes, purify our present polarized, and so sometimes catatonic public square. After a brief overview first explaining the title, along with what is meant in this paper by the secular and humility, it will then be argued how interfaith dialogue, religious pluralism, liberation theology, and secular humanism can liberate and purify our public square discourse—namely by practicing and promoting a robust humility.
    [Show full text]
  • Sunni Suicide Attacks and Sectarian Violence
    Terrorism and Political Violence ISSN: 0954-6553 (Print) 1556-1836 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ftpv20 Sunni Suicide Attacks and Sectarian Violence Seung-Whan Choi & Benjamin Acosta To cite this article: Seung-Whan Choi & Benjamin Acosta (2018): Sunni Suicide Attacks and Sectarian Violence, Terrorism and Political Violence, DOI: 10.1080/09546553.2018.1472585 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2018.1472585 Published online: 13 Jun 2018. Submit your article to this journal View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=ftpv20 TERRORISM AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2018.1472585 Sunni Suicide Attacks and Sectarian Violence Seung-Whan Choi c and Benjamin Acosta a,b aInterdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Herzliya, Israel; bInternational Institute for Counter-Terrorism, Herzliya, Israel; cPolitical Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA ABSTRACT KEY WORDS Although fundamentalist Sunni Muslims have committed more than Suicide attacks; sectarian 85% of all suicide attacks, empirical research has yet to examine how violence; Sunni militants; internal sectarian conflicts in the Islamic world have fueled the most jihad; internal conflict dangerous form of political violence. We contend that fundamentalist Sunni Muslims employ suicide attacks as a political tool in sectarian violence and this targeting dynamic marks a central facet of the phenomenon today. We conduct a large-n analysis, evaluating an original dataset of 6,224 suicide attacks during the period of 1980 through 2016. A series of logistic regression analyses at the incidence level shows that, ceteris paribus, sectarian violence between Sunni Muslims and non-Sunni Muslims emerges as a substantive, signifi- cant, and positive predictor of suicide attacks.
    [Show full text]
  • High-Level Dialogue on Interreligious and Intercultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace 4-5 October 2007
    Tentative Programme for the High-level Dialogue on Interreligious and Intercultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace 4-5 October 2007 Thursday 4 October 10.00 – 13.00 hrs - Opening of the High-level Dialogue by H.E. Dr. Srgjan Kerim, President of the 62nd Session of the General Assembly (Plenary meeting, General Assembly Hall), on the theme “Interreligious and intercultural cooperation for the promotion of tolerance, understanding and universal respect on matters of freedom of religious or belief and cultural diversity” - Statements by Member States and Observers to the United Nations (Statement should not be more than 7 minutes) 15.00 – 18.00 hrs. - Hearing with Civil Society, including NGOs and the private sector (Trusteeship Council Chamber) - Opening of the Hearing with Civil Society by the President of the 62nd session of the General Assembly, followed by two panel discussions - Remarks by Mr. Jorge Sampaio, High Representative of the Secretary-General for the Alliance of Civilizations - Panel 1: Challenges of Interreligious and Intercultural Cooperation Today - Floor will be open for interaction with Member States after the panel’s presentations - Panel 2: Best Practices and Strategies of Interreligious and Intercultural Cooperation Going Forward - Floor will be open for interaction with Member States after the panel’s presentations Friday 5 October 2007 10.00 – 13.00 hrs - Continuation of the High-level Dialogue 15.00 – 18.00 hrs (Plenary meetings, General Assembly Hall) - Closing remarks by the President of the 62nd session of the General Assembly - High-level Dialogue concludes ------------- List of speakers, respondents, invited guests and moderators at The Informal Interactive Hearing of the General Assembly on Interreligious and Intercultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace Thursday 4 October 2007, 15.00 -18.00 hrs Panel 1: Challenges of Interreligious and Intercultural Cooperation Today Speakers: Ms.
    [Show full text]
  • Promoting Religious Freedom Through Interfaith Dialogue
    Michigan Catholic Conference Vol. 46, No. 2, June 2018 2, June 46, No. Vol. focus PROMOTING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM THROUGH INTERFAITH DIALOGUE “Religious freedom, including freedom of conscience, rooted in the dignity of the person, is the cornerstone of all other freedoms. It is a sacred and inalienable right.” Common Declaration of His Holiness Francis and His Holiness Tawadros II, 4/28/17 The free exercise of one’s religious The event featured three separate sessions, including a pan- beliefs has been a longstanding el for students and faith leaders called Legislative and Legal Challenges, an Interfaith Dinner and Dialogue for religious and cherished right in America. leaders and academics from over ten faith traditions, and a public session titled The Importance of Religious Freedom To highlight the importance of this liberty, Michigan Cath- in Society Today. Over the course of the afternoon and eve- olic Conference jointly sponsored an Interfaith Religious ning, speakers provided greater understanding on the na- Freedom Conference with the J. Reuben Clark Law Society ture of religious freedom, why it matters, ongoing challeng- Detroit Chapter on November 7, 2017. The aim of the event, es in society hindering its practice, and practical measures held at the University of Detroit Jesuit Law School and SS. to support its protection. Overall, the Interfaith Religious Peter and Paul Jesuit Church in Detroit, was to promote Freedom Conference strongly promoted religious freedom greater understanding and awareness of the importance of as a cornerstone value for all Americans and emphasized religious freedom to all people, as well as ways individuals of that defending the freedom of other faiths is critical to pre- different faiths could work together in support of this issue.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Interreligious and Interfaith Dialogue in the Post
    The Role of Interreligious and Interfaith Dialogue in the Post-Secular World Biljana Popovska, PhD Candidate University of Bucharest, Berlin Campus, Germany Ministry of Defense of Republic of Macedonia Zhanet Ristoska, PhD Editor in chief, “Shield”, publication of the Ministry of Defense, FYROM Military Academy General Mihailo Apostolski, Skopje, FYROM Pablo Payet, MSc. International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy, Furtwangen University (HFU), Berlin Campus, Germany Abstract Today, western liberal democratic societies are secular, or in other words, religion is set apart from the state. However, the beginning of the 21st century has seen a re-politicizing of the religion. This paper argues that religion plays an important role in current global politics and events. Moreover, it has been used as tool to recruit masses for a wrong cause. Hence, Interreligious and interfaith dialog can play a role of catalysts and a future trend in cultural diplomacy. The paper provides definitions of a secular and post secular society. Then, it discusses the general concept of dialogue and explores it from an interreligious and interfaith point of view as a way to mitigate the role religion has undertaken. Finally, it provides examples of what European Union has been doing in that respect. Keywords: politics; religious communities; religion; nation; secular; post secular; interreligious; interfaith; dialogue. Introduction Until the mid 17th century and beginning of the formation of the modern (secular) international system of states, religion was the key ideology that often provoked political conflict between social groups within countries and between countries. But after the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 and the development of the modern nation-state, first in Western Europe and then in the European colonies and the rest of the world, at both the intrastate and international level, the political importance of religion declined significantly.1 However, at the beginning of the 21st century, religion is once again politicized.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Religion in Peacebuilding in Conflict-Torn Society in Southeast Asia
    Religious Peacebuilders: The Role of Religion in Peacebuilding in Conflict-Torn Society in Southeast Asia Raja Juli Antoni A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2014 School of Political Science and International Studies Abstract Scholars and practitioners of International Relations and Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies tend to ignore religion in their analyses due to the considerable influence of the secularist paradigm within these fields. Religion tends to be perceived as a cause of violent conflict, and hence as a phenomenon that must be relegated to the private sphere. However, against these more conventional approaches, some scholars and practitioners have begun to approach religion as a factor that can potentially shape peace and security in positive ways. Within this context, the aim of this thesis is to investigate, as its core question, how Muslims and Christians use religious resources to contribute to peacebuilding in conflict-torn societies in Southeast Asia. To answer the research question, the notions of the ambivalence of the sacred (AoS) and the hermeneutics of peace (HoP) are employed as theoretical frames for moving beyond both the core assumptions of the secularist paradigm and analysing local dynamics in the field. These local dynamics are accessed through a qualitative case study methodology with particular reference to the conflicts in Maluku (Indonesia) and Mindanao (the Philippines). This thesis includes the argument that religion is a resource for peacebuilding through the complex process of the HoP: the process of rereading sacred texts, religious doctrines, and narratives in order to create new, inclusive, and peaceful religious meanings and practices to overcome violent conflicts.
    [Show full text]
  • Pray for Peace Through Interfaith Dialogue
    NOVENA FOR PEACE – DAY 4 Pray for Peace through Interfaith Dialogue John 13: 34: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” Song: Prayer of St. Francis (Make Me A Channel of Your Peace) Opening prayer: God of all people, open our hearts to understanding other faith traditions. We are all made in your image and seek to know and follow your ways, to praise you, and to be instruments of your Holy presence. May we respect those who are different from us, who follow a different faith tradition than us. May we seek to know the truth of your Word and find common ground among the many faith traditions and recognize that we share a common humanity. Help us to be people of compassion and understanding, creating a path to a peaceful coexistence among all people. Amen. Reflection: Many of us tend to think our way of doing things is the only way to do something. It may be hard for us to accept those who follow different religious practices or who worship in ways different from what we are accustomed to. But, when we engage in authentic dialogue to understand the customs, behaviors, and beliefs of others, we can begin to let go of the differences that may have kept us apart or made us fearful and intolerant of the other. It takes courage to be open-minded and not feel threatened by the beliefs of others. We can feel challenged when we are confronted with questions about our way of doing things.
    [Show full text]
  • Terror in the Name of Islam - Unholy War, Not Jihad Parvez Ahmed
    Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law Volume 39 Issue 3 2007-2008 2008 Terror in the Name of Islam - Unholy War, Not Jihad Parvez Ahmed Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/jil Part of the International Law Commons Recommended Citation Parvez Ahmed, Terror in the Name of Islam - Unholy War, Not Jihad, 39 Case W. Res. J. Int'l L. 759 (2008) Available at: https://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/jil/vol39/iss3/4 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Journals at Case Western Reserve University School of Law Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law by an authorized administrator of Case Western Reserve University School of Law Scholarly Commons. TERROR IN THE NAME OF ISLAM-UNHOLY WAR, NOT JIHAD Parvez Ahmeaf t Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signi- fies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all, in any war, it is humanity hanging true sense. Under the1 cloud of threatening from a cross of iron. I. INTRODUCTION The objective of this paper is to (1) analyze current definitions of terrorism, (2) explore the history of recent terrorism committed in the name of Islam, (3) posit causal links between terrorism and the United States' (U.S.) Cold War programs and policies towards the Middle East, and (4) propose remedies to minimize and preferably eliminate the threat of terror- ism.
    [Show full text]
  • Religious Wars and Religious Tolerance
    DUŠAN PAJIN University of Arts in Belgrade DOI 10.5937/kultura1340044P UDK 316.647.5:2(091) 2-763/.769 172.4:2 originalan naučni rad RELIGIOUS­PLURALISM­–­ RELIGIOUS WARS AND RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE Abstract:­One­of­the­permanent­paradoxes­of­human­history­is­that­ during­several­thousand­years­religious­pluralism­was­one­of­the­major­ causes­ of­ conflicts­ and­ wars­ and­ a­ challenge­ for­ eventual­ religious­ tolerance,­which­seemed­to­be­just­a­well-wishing­attempt­(that­could­ not­ be­ permanently­ established,­ so­ far).­ Thus,­ one­ can­ follow­ two­ lines­–­the­history­of­religious­conflicts­and­wars,­and­the­history­of­ (religious)­ tolerance­ (or­ standpoints­ which­ advocate­ tolerance,­ in­ particular­religious­tolerance).­Although­one­can­find­examples­of­ideas­ of­tolerance­in­various­times­and­cultures,­one­can­also­find­religious­ conflicts­and­wars­repeating­in­various­times­and­cultures,­from­very­ ancient­times,­to­present­day. Key­ words:­ Religious­ wars,­ religious­ tolerance,­ pluralism,­ fundamentalism,­multiculturalism­ In many (or most) cases conflicts, or wars, which had religious excuses or labels, were not primarily motivated by religious motifs or ideas, but were (actually) fight for power, or economic benefits (although, in many cases, this was kept under the cover of “higher”, religious goals, or labels). For this reason, someone might try to classify pure religious wars (where motivation had no other source), from religious wars which had also other motives. However, it seems impossible – in actual cases – to clearly make such division, because religion itself was intermingled with power politics, economy, ethnicity, culture etc. The second peculiar issue is that religious conflicts and wars were: 44 DUŠAN PAJIN ­ sometimes inflicted within the same religious traditions (Judaism, Christian, Muslim), related to some differences of belief, ­ and sometimes between different religions, or members (nations, armies) of various religions.
    [Show full text]
  • Manning, Roger B. "Holy Wars, Crusades, and Religious Wars." War and Peace in the Western Political Imagination: from Classical Antiquity to the Age of Reason
    Manning, Roger B. "Holy Wars, Crusades, and Religious Wars." War and Peace in the Western Political Imagination: From Classical Antiquity to the Age of Reason. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2016. 105–180. Bloomsbury Collections. Web. 25 Sep. 2021. <http:// dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781474258739.ch-003>. Downloaded from Bloomsbury Collections, www.bloomsburycollections.com, 25 September 2021, 06:12 UTC. Copyright © Roger B. Manning 2016. You may share this work for non-commercial purposes only, provided you give attribution to the copyright holder and the publisher, and provide a link to the Creative Commons licence. 3 Holy Wars, Crusades, and Religious Wars Th en standing inside the gate of the camp, he said: If any man be on the Lord’s side let him join with me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. And he said to them: Th us saith the Lord God of Israel: Put every man his sword upon his thigh: go, and return from gate to gate through the midst of the camp, and let every man kill his brother, friend and neighbour. And the sons of Levi did according to the words of Moses, and there were slain that day about three and twenty thousand men. Exodus 32:26–8 And the Lord said to the servant: Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be fi lled. Gospel of St. Luke, 14:23 When the sacred months are passed, kill the idolaters wherever you fi nd them, and lie in wait for them in every place of ambush; but if they repent, pray regularly, and give the alms tax, then let them go their way, for God is forgiving, merciful.
    [Show full text]
  • Martyrdom, Suicide, and the Islamic Law of War: a Short Legal History
    \\server05\productn\F\FIN\27-1\FIN102.txt unknown Seq: 1 31-DEC-03 14:19 MARTYRDOM, SUICIDE, AND THE ISLAMIC LAW OF WAR: A SHORT LEGAL HISTORY Bernard K. Freamon* INTRODUCTION Religion is the mother of war. Conflicts involving religion are among the most intractable of human disputes. Yet, until recently, wars motivated or influenced by religious ideologies have been confined to small well-defined theaters. Europe’s Thirty Years War, which ended in 1648, appears to be the only exception in the modern history of warfare.1 Indeed, in the last three millennia the world has seen much war but it has not seen a full-scale religious war of global proportions since the end of the Crusades. There is reason to believe that this state of affairs is about to change. The horrific attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, as well as the Western military incursion in Afghanistan, the invasion and conquest of Iraq, and continuing Islamist guerilla attacks and terrorist violence against military and civilian targets in a variety of countries with signifi- cant Muslim populations makes one wonder whether the West2 * Professor of Law and Director, Program for the Study of Law in the Middle East, Seton Hall Law School. Professor Freamon is a Doctor in the Science of Law (JSD) candidate at Columbia Law School. Research support provided by the Seton Hall Law School Faculty Development Fund is gratefully acknowledged. Special gratitude is owed to George P. Fletcher for his vision in suggesting the pursuit of this topic and for his insightful comments on earlier drafts.
    [Show full text]