This conference explores the spiritual dimension of peace in Islam. Negative peace has been defined as the absence of violent conflict and concerns security arrangements. Positive peace has been defined as actions, policies, and attitudes that promote peace. Our concern here is with positive peace, and with its inner manifestations, in affect, attitude and personal behavior. Sufism has been a major site of such peace-related themes, but they appear in other arenas of Islamic practice as well.

This conference includes:

Thursday, March 21, 6:00–9:00 p.m., Michigan Room, Michigan League
Evening Keynote, “Reframing Peace: Muslim Stories of Peacemaking for the 21st Century,” with Dr. Irfan Omar (Marquette University) at 7:00 pm.
Dinner starts at 6:00 pm.

Friday, March 22, 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall
All day conference with presentations by Professors Juan Cole (University of Michigan), Valerie Hoffman (University of Illinois), Alexander Knysh (University of Michigan), Jennifer Nourse (University of Richmond).

Saturday, March 23: 6:00–8:30 p.m., Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church
Islamic Peace Presentations and Community Dinner
Presentations by Professors Juan Cole (University of Michigan), Valerie Hoffman (University of Illinois, Alexander Knysh (University of Michigan), and Jennifer Nourse (University of Richmond).
Dinner starts at 6:00pm. Presentations will begin at 6:30pm.

Funding for this project comes from the International Institute Enterprise Fund. This event series is free and open to the public.

Cosponsors: African Studies Center, Global Islamic Studies Center, Center for South Asian Studies, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum, Department of Middle East Studies, Michigan State University's Muslim Studies Program, Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies Seminar, and the Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church.

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If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend this event, please reach out to us at least 2 weeks in advance of this event. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange. Contact: Jessica Hill Riggs, jessmhil@umich.edu, 7-4143