Lexington Books The Hizmet Movement and Peacebuilding: Global Cases

The Hizmet Movement and Peacebuilding assesses the peacebuilding implications and societal impact of the Hizmet Movement, characterized as a pacifist and inclusive expression of Islam. With a range of both supporters and critics, the studies of the Hizmet Movement presented in these cases provide a counter to negative stereotypes with examples of positive educational institutions rooted in Islamic values. The book includes contributions from scholars and practitioners around the world that critically explore the intersection of the movement and peacebuilding in countries such as Northern Iraq, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. Review The Hizmet Movement and Peacebuilding is "must" reading for anyone concerned about the role of religion in peacebuilding. The case studies of the Hizmet Movement, a major Muslim global international organization, and its educational mission and approach offers multifaceted examples of its peacebuilding through education from Africa, the Middle East, Central and Southeast Asia.--John L. Esposito, Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University A valuable study of the peacemaking activities of this much maligned and misunderstood movement. It brings together Fethullah Gülen's vision for Hizmet as a force for peace in today's world with actual case studies of Hizmet peacemaking activities in such far-flung regions as Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Iraq, and Nigeria. These are stories of real people inspired by their faith to build real peace in times of crisis and conflict.--Thomas Michel, Georgetown University Through a series of case studies exploring the educational and peacebuilding efforts of the Hizmet movement in countries including Kyrgyzstan, Iraq, the Philippines, Nigeria and Ethiopia, this volume provides an alternative narrative on the role of Islam in grassroots efforts to transcend religious divides through a focus on the universality of the human condition, an embracing of diversity, and an emphasis on the responsibility to build trust through dialogue, service, and critical thinking--Maia Hallward, Kennesaw State University About the Author Mohammed Abu-Nimer is professor of international peace and conflict resolution and director of the Peacebuilding and Development Institute at the School of International Service, American University. Timothy Seidel is assistant professor in the Department of Applied Social Sciences and the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, and director of the Center for Interfaith Engagement at Eastern Mennonite University.