Democratic virtues, diversity, and the common good : exploring the nexus of peace and justice in Islamic societies

This paper will discuss the synergy between the concepts of democracy diversity, and promotion of the common good to bring about just peace in Islamic societies. Certain concepts in the early repertoire of Islamic political thought will be shown to have a direct bearing today on the formation of democratic societies committed to fostering pluralism and peaceful co-existence among diverse groups of people. The point is further made that these values which may be easily retrieved from the Islamic tradition are universal values, thus creating a shared idiom for inter-religious and crosscultural encounters. Promotion of these values and their application are the best means for guaranteeing non-violent societies and a global order conducive to peace.