Behavioral scientists have devoted considerable attention to religious extremism and the psychological factors that contribute to an individual’s propensity toward violence. However, relatively little data are available on those who abandon extremism and become proponents of conciliation and peace. This Special report of Dr. Renee Garfinkel offers a number of tentative conclusions about individuals she has interviewed who have made this transition.

At a time when religious violence is rampant, and individuals and groups are committing violence and inciting hatred and intolerance in the name of Islam, it is critical to understand the unique characteristics and capabilities of these agents of peace, and to give them power. Only then can we successfully counter the militant, violent, and radical voices that have usurped a religious tradition which is, in fact, founded on values of tolerance, justice, compassion, mercy, and peace.

Preamble
As members of the worldwide Christian community, we were deeply encouraged and challenged by the recent historic open letter signed by 138 leading Muslim scholars, clerics, and intellectuals from around the world. A Common Word Between Us and You identifies some core common ground between Christianity and Islam which lies at the heart of our respective faiths as well as at the heart of the most ancient Abrahamic faith, Judaism. Jesus Christ’s call to love God and neighbor was rooted more...

Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world’s population. Without peace and justice between these two religious communities, there can be no meaningful peace in the world. The future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians.

The basis for this peace and understanding already exists. It is part of the very foundational principles of both faiths: love of the One God, and love of the neighbour. These principles are found over and over again in the sa more...

This CMI project sets out to examine the role and significance of religious groups and networks in the development of Afghan civil society in the post-Taliban era and seek to identify potential lines of tension and collaboration among secular and religious civil society actors. To this end the following main questions will be addressed:  What religiously associated civil society groups and organisations exist in Afghanistan? What are their roles and functions and how do these interact with th more...

Afghan Communicator was founded in August of 1997 as an academic, literary and cultural magazine, by a group of young educated Afghans. Following September 11, 2001 our mission changed to include much needed community outreach and grassroots work. We established an office in Flushing, Queens and laid the foundation of the new Afghan Communicator, an community based organization, doing cultural, educational and humanitarian projects.

UNDP latest publication on Afghanistan actuality and developments.

This report is intended to serve as an input for the government's efforts to address gender
disparities. The Role of Women in Afghanistan's Future synthesizes existing information and
Executive Summary
identifies critical areas in which gender-responsive actions are likely to enhance growth,
poverty reduction and human well-being. The extent of gender discrimination in
Afghanistan is pervasive, and the present report focuses on a few key sectors deemed
particularly important for both short more...

Summary article of a recent report by Barnett Rubin for the Council on Foreign Relations, entitled ‘Afghanistan’s Uncertain Transition from Turmoil to Normalcy’, provides perhaps the most comprehensive recent summary of the challenges currently facing Afghanistan reconstruction.

Summary of BBC article: "Afghanistan's famous Bamiyan Buddhas are due to be recreated by multicoloured laser images projected onto the cliffs where they once stood." (Aug 9, 2005)