Islam and peacebuilding in the context of the Muslim community in Ghana

Zagoon-Sayeed, Haruna (2018). Islam and peacebuilding in the context of the Muslim community in Ghana. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

It has become almost impossible to engage in any useful discussion on global peace or violence without considering the activities of Islamist groups. Some of these groups use religious radicalization as a tool to promote extremism among Muslims across the world. It has been argued that Muslims will reject violence if they are made aware of peace lessons inherent in the Islamic primary sources and recurrent rituals. In view of the above, the study set out to examine peacebuilding avenues and values in Islam as a religious tradition; and to explore how Islamic recurrent rituals such as Hajj can be used to promote peacebuilding among Muslims, particularly in Ghana. Consequently, the study utilized participant observation, closed-ended survey questionnaire, and semi-structured interview as the main research methodological techniques to collect data. One of the key findings of the study is that Islam is replete with peacebuilding values such as forgiveness, reconciliation, compassion, justice, and tolerance among others. The study recommends among other things that with the existing fragile peace in Ghana, Muslim and non-Muslim religious bodies should engage in collaborative social projects which can create positive interaction amongst them

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):