Islam and Peacemaking in the Middle East begins with a set of provocative questions: How, for example, do Muslims conceive of peace? To what degree do differences in the interpretation of Islam affect the ways in which peace is sought in the contemporary Middle East?Through analysis of regional trends and case studies, the authors explore various Islamic ideas of peace and their bearing on difficult ethnic, nationalist, and civic conflicts. The result widens the parameters for serious discussion of Islam's contributions - real and potential - to ongoing negotiations.The authors explore varying Islamic conceptions of peace and their bearing on ethnic, nationalist, and civil conflicts in the contemporary Middle East.