Religious communities are uniquely gifted among civic institutions to handle processes of reconciliation and forgiveness. When it comes to native peoples in the “New World,” they also have a unique responsibility in seeking to rectify historic wrongs, for religious communities were either often complicit with or silent towards injustices perpetrated unto Native Americans.

One concrete way in which Native and Non-Native peoples can begin to reconcile with one another and reach new levels of understanding and respect is through taking concrete action together today. How? The human remains and sacred objects of over 100,000 Native Americans have wound up on in displays as well as on dusty shelves and in forgotten drawers in depositories, museums, and universities across the country. We can all help to return them.

These once beloved mothers, fathers, friends, and children are waiting to be returned, honored, and buried with dignity. Native Americans want to honor the memory of their ancestors and to acknowledge a past scarred by exile and loss.

The Return to the Earth project supports Native Americans in burying unidentifiable ancestral remains now scattered across the United States and enables a process of education and reconciliation between Native and Non-Native peoples.

The Return to the Earth project envisions an ecumenical effort developing regional burial sites throughout Indian country, supported by people of faith and governed by diverse, regional Native committees.

Leaders of the UN and US, former warring factions, and the Transitional Government called on the Interreligious Council of Liberia (IRC-L) for vital assistance in reconstruction and healing in war torn Liberia. Religions for Peace - International members, the ICR-L, West Africa Interreligious Councils, and representatives from the international secretariat met with key stakeholders during a solidarity visit that ended on Sunday, December 14, 2003 in Monrovia. The Religions for Peace delegation met with Chairman Gyude Bryant of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, United Nations Ambassador Jacques Klein, United States Ambassador John Blaney, Ambassador Frances Blain of ECOWAS, and leaders of LURD and MODEL. These leaders identified the critical challenges facing Liberia and the unique assets of religious leaders and communities to meet and overcome them.

The Religions for Peace delegation, comprised of Christian and Muslim leaders from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, and Ghana, also developed action plans to address regional insecurity and conflict. Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary General of Religions for Peace, noted, “We are here in Monrovia to be in solidarity with our member, the IRC-L and the Liberian people. However, with armed child soldiers still moving across borders further destabilizing the region, with citizens of one country seeking refuge in another, it is clear that regional interreligious efforts and solutions are the key to true peace in West Africa.”

The delegation called on the Liberian people to forge a sense of common purpose toward building a just and peaceful society and formally confirmed its commitment to act for sustainable peace and reconstruction in Liberia and the sub-region.

Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), founded in 1968, is one of the largest grass roots Muslim organizations in North America. Having spread its chapters in almost all the major cities, towns and neighborhoods, ICNA is actively involved in the development of the American Muslim community and the society at large.

While the largest numbers of the members of ICNA have South Asian origins, it is a non-ethnic, non-sectarian, open to all, independent Muslim organization. Among its programs are: inviting and encouraging people to understand Islam; providing opportunities for them to increase their knowledge and enhance their character; speaking out against immorality and oppression of all forms; extending supports for protecting civil liberties and socio-economic justice in the society; building bridges among different ethnic-religious groups and organizations, and strengthening the bond of humanity by serving all those in need anywhere in the world, with special focus on our neighborhoods across North America.

ICNA runs “Feed the Hungry” program in Manhattan, New York. It, also, runs a shelter home for Muslim sisters in Jamaica, New York. After the terrorist attack of 9/11, ICNA was very active in World Trade Center disaster relief, escorting survivors to family assistance centers, cutting through confusion and red tape, and making direct donations. As a faith-based organization committed to service delivery, ICNA Relief thus has been chosen to represent the Muslim community on the board of NYDIS, the newly created New York Disaster Interfaith Services.

ICNA maintains contacts and cordial relationship with other American Muslim organizations and almost all the inter-faith organizations. Among the interfaith groups it is currently working with are: The Organization of Catholic Bishops, National Council of Churches for Christ, Religions for Peace - USA, and The Interfaith Center of New York.

Political Islam, to be distinguished from Islam as a culture or a religion, and from Islamic Fundamentalism, is an increasingly important feature of the western political scene. The ideologies of Political Islam reflect the fact that some of their adherents live and work within a Western socio-political context. Although Political Islam has been widely written about in Muslim countries, very little has been published in the West, and this book attempts to redress that imbalance. With a range of outstanding contributors that includes academics and human rights advocates this book tackles the diversity of Islamist thinking and practice in various Western countries and explores their transnational connections in both East and West.

The book analyses developments in Islamist thinking and activities, and their connections to the latest global political and economic trends, and discusses future evolutions of the ideology and its manifestations.

• Deals with political Islam in dominant nations and their links with the Islamic nations
• Includes well known authors from Western and Muslim countries
• Presents Islam as an international phenomenon in the context of a globalized world and localized movements of resistance

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