A Tripartite Effort Toward Islamic Peace Dialogue : An Analysis of 'A Common Word'

If we take two views of religion, the first as a positive component to peace and conflict resolution and secondly, as an important component of identity and turn the lens towards Islam specifically, then we have an approach in which to view some of the changes in regards to Islam in contemporary times. This line of inquiry advocates that the Islamic community is undergoing a transformation or a "new phase" where "new and effective forms for the continuing vitality of the Islamic message" are emerging. A Common Word is an example of the vitality of the Islamic message against militant activism with which Islam has often been associated. Although A Common Word may seem of concern to only a small group of people, it should in fact concern anyone who cares about peaceful co-existence among people of differing religious faiths.