Promoting peace and religious tolerance is the best way to reclaim territory from extreme branches of religion, and experts and leaders on these topics gathered May 9 at a panel discussion co-hosted by the Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies (Potomac Institute for Policy Studies) and the International Law Institute.

Introducing “The Power of Sufism to Resist Radical Thoughts in Islam,” Kim Phan, Executive Director of the International Law Institute, said that to achieve economic growth in developing countries, the rule of law and security need to be in place.

Professor Yonah Alexander, Director, Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies, observed that if quantity and quality of tolerance and ecumenical reconciliation can be raised, than the better chance for more peaceful resolutions of conflicts worldwide.

Khawaja Farooq Renzu Shah, the keynote speaker, said Sufism has historically played a role in promoting peace and religious tolerance, and that it can reclaim that role from the more extreme brands of Islam that have recently begun to take hold across the world.

 

Mr. Renzu Shah, who recently retired from India’s Jammu and Kashmir government service, focused on the theme of religious common ground, recommending people of all backgrounds work to promote ideologies like Sufism, which preach tolerance, kindness and peace.

Next to speak was Dr. Vijay Sazawal, the International Coordinator of the Indo-American Kashmir Forum. A Hindu, Dr. Sazawal discussed how the Hindu community’s experience in Kashmir has changed for the worse in the past century, as well as issues caused by religious intolerance and the growing Wahhabi presence in the region. Although Kashmir has been a Muslim-majority region since the 13th century, the Hindu minority has avoided large-scale persecution until relatively recently. The catalyst for this change was the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, which ended with many former mujahedeen settling in Kashmir. Dr. Sazawal explained that this was, in many ways, the beginning of radical Islamist ideology taking root in the region, as the ideology is now openly spread and encouraged – to the detriment of Kashmir’s people – by the Wahhabis.

Several audience members added to the discussion.  Spain’s former ambassador to the United States, Javier Ruperez, spoke on Spain’s experience with religious extremism, the aftermath of the Madrid train bombings on March 11, 2004, emphasizing the need for dialogue with countries and groups like the Wahhabis on working together to make religion a tool of peace.  State Department official Richard Prosen discussed potential soft-power roles both NATO and the OSCE could develop to improve counterterrorism operations.  Dr. Idil Izmirli of George Mason’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution highlighted the need for dialogue within the Muslim community. American Samanatha Stein, who spent several years in Morocco, commented that Moroccan women have benefited from the Sufi community, which has empowered and united women, enabling them to be part of the Moroccan economy.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Alexander observed the following: First, the international community is engaged in an intellectual battle between the culture of death and the culture of life. Second, religious radicalization, ethnic hatred and racial prejudices contribute to national, regional and global violence. Third, if the quantity and quality of tolerance and ecumenical reconciliation can be raised, then the chances for a more peaceful resolution of the Kashmiri crisis as well as other political conflicts around the world will be considerably enhanced.

The event was organized in memory of Professor Edgar H. Brenner, who served with Professor Alexander as Co-Director of the Inter-University Center for Legal Studies, whose mission is to develop academic programs on critical war and peace issues.