Six former heads of the Shin Bet, Israel's secretive internal security service, have spoken out as a group for the first time and are making stunning revelations. The men who were responsible for keeping Israel safe from terrorists now say they are afraid for Israel's future as a democratic and Jewish state............. Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

I DON'T know whether it has been reported in Malaysian papers but the Israelis bombed an arms factory in Khartoum two weeks ago. This outrageous act is an example of Israeli disregard of international laws.There is no war declared between Sudan and Israel. But that does not prevent Israel from bombing Sudan. As with the bombings of the Egyptian airbase, Iraqi nuclear facilities, again without war being declared, Israel feels entitled to bomb other countries in the pursuit of its own security........... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

One of the most dispiriting features of today's international debates is the threat to humanity posed by the world's 23,000 nuclear weapons - and by those who would build more of them, or be only too wiling to use them........... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

Where can one find schools run by a Muslim organisation, the majority of whose students are non-Muslims? Christian-Muslim relations in Indonesia are too often associated with conflict, disharmony and hostility, thus, it might be surprising for many to learn that such schools exist in different parts of Indonesia............ Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

I WENT to a synagogue on Saturday not far from the Syrian border in Antakya, Turkey.  Antakya is home to a tiny Jewish community. It is also famous for its mosaic of mosques and Orthodox, Catholic, Armenian and Protestant churches. On Friday, just across the Orontes River in Syria, I had visited with Sunni Free Syrian Army rebels embroiled in a civil war in which Syrian Alawites and Sunnis are killing each other, Kurds are creating their own enclave, Christians are hiding and the Jews are long gone.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

FOR the past few years, the Perdana Global Peace Foundation has been trying to convince people that war is a crime; that war should be criminalised. If one thinks deeply enough, one must conclude that war is indeed a crime. We all, the whole human race, regard the killing of a person by another as a crime; a crime so serious as to warrant the stiffest punishment, including the death penalty.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

IN recent months, Kabul, Washington and the Taliban have made overtures to work out a negotiated settlement for Afghanistan and plan the impending exit of foreign troops from the country. Yet those gestures have not been followed through and the prospects are not getting any better -- as the spate of recent violent episodes and perverse behaviour of some American soldiers over the war dead have shown......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

Given the fact that the basic principles of international law, which today is generally accepted to govern relations between states within the international community, originate from the traditions of “just war” It would be appropriate to see to what extent the basic doctrines of major religions,particularly Christianity and Islam, accord with the principles upon which the “just war” tradition is based. More specifi cally, it seems to be appropriate to see to what extent these general principles are intrinsic to both traditions, even if it has been Christianity that has most overtly been involved in their evolution. Of course, this assumes that the principles of international law are acceptable to both religious traditions and thus to the states that have evolved within the cultural domains in which they have emerged.)........ Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

The centrality of peace in Islam is manifested by its nomenclature: Islām signifies peace, and then also in the daily greeting of Muslims: “as-salām alaykum / peace be upon you.” As-Salām is also one of God’s Most Excellent Names (al-asmā’ al-ḥusnā); while God praises those who act with humility and peace: “the servants of The All-Merciful are those who walk the earth with humility, and when the ignorant address them, they reply: peace!” (al-Furqān 25:63). On the other hand, instigators of violence and war are condemned: “Whenever they kindle the fire of war, God extinguishes it. They strive to create disorder on earth and God loves not those who create disorder” (al-Mā’idah 5:64)........ Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

Often, but loosely, referred to as a “religion”, Islam may more accurately be depicted as a religiously based way of life, or Din—the Arabic term by which it is described in the Qur’an. This Quranically sanctioned way of describing Islam has the two important merits of, firstly, avoiding the dangers of misunderstanding which can easily arise from using the term “religion” with all the socio-cultural nuances and associations derived from the historical (mainly Christian) heritage and experience of the West in the context of which the term was primarily honed. Secondly and more importantly, it captures the essential characteristic of Islam as a comprehensive system of values and principles which encompasses the entire range of human experience—personal and social, economic and political, artistic and intellectual, creative or otherwise. All of these are sustained in Islam, by faith and endowed with religious meaning and ethical significance.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

There are two groups promoting the concept that Islam is tolerant of terrorism. The first is those wishing to hijack Islam for their political purposes and who have distorted and misquoted religious text to justify their abhorrent actions. The second are those who wish to spread fear and hatred of Muslims to suit their political or economic agendas, and similarly distort and misquote religious text to claim that Islam condones such abhorrent actions. However, mainstream traditional Muslims are and always have been very vocal in condemning both such extremist groups.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

The energy required for transforming Muslim thinking and action must arise from within Islam itself. Jihad is one of Islam’s most potent concepts having a complex history and tradition. The challenging task of re-conceptualizing Jihad is a matter of great urgency. Islamic Peaceful-Action is offered in humility and with an awareness of its possible perceived inadequacy among many Muslims. This is a sketch demanding more refined comprehensive treatment, and testing in different Muslim societies. Yet there is utility in this example of re-conceptualization if it helps to provoke other attempts at re-appropriating critical concepts. And God knows best......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

In Islamic experience Jihad joined two primary meanings:  Peaceful Striving inviting to revealed truth as an individual inner spiritual discipline through self-sacrifice and suffering; and Combative Struggle as the external social and political manifestation of this primary interior attitude. This basic distinction between individual and communal levels of activity provides the ideal goal for Muslim religious striving in all its forms. This essay offers a concise overview of Jihad and its continuing existential significance for the Muslim community today.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

What was the original context and significance of ‘peace’ in Islam? The concept of salm ‘peace-security’ in early Muslim experience is re-examined from linguistic and historical aspects, and aligned with the contemporary understanding of Human Security......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

Last weekend, as tens of thousands of unarmed refugees marched toward Israel from all sides in a symbolic effort to reclaim their right of return, the world suddenly discovered the power of Palestinian nonviolence. Much like the "Freedom Flotilla," when nine activists were killed during an act of nonviolent international disobedience almost a year ago, the deaths of unarmed protesters at the hands of Israeli soldiers drew the world's attention to Palestine and the refugee issue............ Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)