Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking - Essay Example

Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking A conflict is a difference in opinion or position in regard to a particular issue while conflict resolution is process of reconciliation to end a conflict (Fisher, 2005). For individuals to coexist in a conflicting society, they must understand how to solve the conflicts and make peace. This essay analyses an article by Rehman, Uzma (2011) titled, “Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking in Islam: Toward Reconciliation and Complementarity between western and Muslim approach”.

` The article starts by discussing the role of religion in conflict resolution. The article states that despite religion being termed as a tool of dividing and grouping people to cause conflicts, it can still be used today as a tool for conflict resolution. This came about because Islam religion has for many years been associated with conflicts. Consequently, the author tries to show that religion can also be used to reconcile conflicting societies. Religion as a way of peacemaking, can replace violence with non-violence ways of settling disputes.

According to the author, religion can be used as a reconciliation tool because it has a uniting factor of bringing people who profess the same faith together (Rehman, 2011). The author goes ahead to explain the western models of conflict resolutions, which view conflict negatively instead of giving preference to conflict control and prevention. The author argues that political pluralism and individual rights are the models of the western conflict resolution while the non-western models, which are the Islam models are cultural pluralism, communal solidarity, social justice and faith.

The author finalizes the article by discussing how complementary conflict resolution models can be made by merging the two models, which are the western model and the Islam model (Rehman, 2011). . The article articulates some elements of conflict resolution and peacemaking that include the following. First is the element of being neutral in a conflict resolution process. This comes out where the article says that, for the two models of conflict resolution to complement each other, the western world must have a positive view towards Islam and vice versa (Rehman, 2011).

The two parties should accept the different cultural aspects on in the world. For peace to exist, no world should view the other in a way that demeanors or attacks others on the basis of cultural aspect (Cate & Downey, 2002). In addition, another element of conflict resolution and peacemaking is looking for a common ground and working for mutual benefit (Rehman, 2011). For peace to prevail among fighting parties, a common ground should be sought to identify the source of the conflict because conflicting parties could be fighting over a certain common resource for example a mineral, water or land.

The article comes up with religion, which becomes the common ground of solving conflicts. By people meeting in places of worship, this creates a strong relationship that forces people to reconcile in non-violent ways such as through negotiations. Finally, another element of conflict resolution is the aspect of owning up power and passing it to the other party (Fisher, 2005). This means one party compromises and makes an agreement to pass power to the other party. This can be done appropriately through ways such as fair elections where the winner will be granted the power, thus solving the conflict.

For example, in Nicaragua the elections in 1988 saw the long serving regime of the Sandinista pass power to the opposition (Fisher, 2005). In conclusion, the author comes up with a good proposition of merging the two world methods of conflict resolution. Thus, if this will followed and implemented it can result in reduced conflicts that are found in the Islam world especially when the western world tries to make peace. The elements of conflict resolution and peacemaking are well outlined in the article.

They include the aspect of being neutral and working for a mutual benefit from a common ground. Finally, conflict resolution can be achieved through the elements stated above and peace can prevail. References Cate, M., & Downey, K. (2002). From fear to faith. Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library. Fisher, R. J. (Ed.). (2005). paving the way: Contributions of interactive conflict resolution to peacemaking. Lexington Books. Rehman, U. (2011). Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking in Islam: Toward Reconciliation and Complementarity between Western and Muslim Approaches.

Islamic Studies. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/10.2307/41932576.pdf?acceptTC=true