ON THE EDGE OF PEACE: TURKEY, ISLAM, AND PEACEBUILDING

Do religions help in building peace? The answer is, yes. The secularist-mindset dominated social sciences through the twentieth century and, in fact, the discipline of international relations have at their origins the rejection of religion. Attempts to find rational explanations for social phenomena downplayed the role of religion in social sciences. As an outcome, scholars and practitioners of international relations, in general, did not put an emphasis on religion until the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although religion’s role in international politics began to increase with the downfall of the USSR, the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center was the real shock for the Western World in terms of religion’s visibility in international politics. Religion captured the attention of specialists at this time. The general tendency was to focus on the negative side of the story, which is to say religions (particularly Islam) produce violence and extremist action, thus destroy peace. Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations” is a good example of these types of arguments. Contrary to the general belief, religion can and does promote peace and religious actors are capable of building peace.

Whether some members of a religion are related to violent actions or not do not downplay the positive side of the story. The research of scholars and practitioners of international relations show religion should not necessarily be the evil to blame. Religion could also prepare the ground for peace. The literature on religion’s role in conflict resolution is growing larger every day, along with the increasing practice of religious methods and tools in conflict areas. There is research focusing on different religions’ approach to conflict resolution and the efforts of religious actors from different religions. The work of the Roman Catholic Church in Africa, Hindu and Muslim religious institutions in Kashmir, Muslim and Christian non-governmental organizations in the Philippines are noteworthy to show how religious actors can be useful in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

Having asserted the role of religion in peace building, we should move on to how the issue is related to Turkey. As the “resolution process” in Turkey is progressing and societal support is increasing, new organizations and think tanks begin to emerge. “Peace Train” and “Peace Academia” are two recent examples. The support of civil society and academia is indisputably important in order to establish and extend a culture of peace. The increasing number of such organizations can contribute to the construction of a more peaceful environment in Turkey. Turkey conducting the resolution process successfully is not only important for the country, but also for the region and the Muslim World. Although the conflict and the resolution process of Turkey is not religious by nature, Turkey is over 95% Muslim, an efficient player in the Muslim World means the success of the process will contribute to the positive image of Turkey within the Islamic World, in addition to contributing to a more positive image of the Muslim World. The need for the Muslim World to solve its problems through peaceful means is intensifying as Western-secularist ideology claims Islam as a violent religion producing bloody borders.

Having stated the significance of this resolution process both for Turkey and the Muslim World, now, let us ask the vital question: What should be done? Although the number of non-governmental religious organizations (i.e. World Conference of Religions for Peace, Life and Peace Institution, Joan B. Kroc Institute of International Peace Studies, Religion and Peace-Making Initiative, and others) working in the peace making business is increasing, the figures should not mislead, the same case is not arguable for Islamic organizations. There are only a few international Islamic organizations (Salam Institute for Peace and Justice, Coalition for Peace in Africa) focusing on conflict resolution and peace making. Turkey, being a country striving for peace in both its region and all around the globe and carrying out a resolution process of its own, should support the establishment of a religious organization working on the religious dimension of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. An organization that would reckon with the experiences of Islamic actors around the globe and institutionalize specifically on conflict resolution and peacemaking should be established by non-governmental actors and should be supported by the government. Such action would contribute to the peace-promoting face of Muslims and Turkey’s self-proclaimed peace promotion mission. 

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26.03.2015 tarihinde şu adreste yayımlandı: http://www.turkeyagenda.com/on-the-edge-of-peace-turkey-islam-and-peacebuilding-2178.html

Published in the following link on 26.03.2014: http://www.turkeyagenda.com/on-the-edge-of-peace-turkey-islam-and-peacebuilding-2178.html