by George E. Irani and Nathan C. Funk

This paper contrasts Arab-Islamic and Western perspectives on conflict resolution. After identifying cultural constraints upon the application of Western approaches to conflict resolution in Middle Eastern contexts, Irani and Funk explore defining characteristics as well as potential adaptations of traditional Arab-Islamic rituals of reconciliation. They give particular attention to the communal character of Arab-Islamic approaches to conflict resolution and to the centrality of cultural and religious symbolism in traditional processes of settlement (sulh) and reconciliation (musalaha).

George E. Irani is visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Washington College in the State of Maryland. This study was completed while he was Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace (1997-1998). Nathan C. Funk is a doctoral candidate in the School of International Service at American University.

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