Berkley Center

Jocelyn Cesari sat down with Harvard Divinity School for a conversation on peacebulidng in the Middle East following the U.S. drone attack that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in January 2020. Cesari reflected on the role of political Islam in the region and noted the shortcomings of Western understandings of Islam. She then considered how religion can contribute, both positively and negatively, to conflict resolution. Cesari explained how the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic lay association, played a key role in brokering a peace deal in South Sudan. But she noted how the international community has not seen a similar engagement with faith actors in the Syria crisis. Cesari concluded by noting how peacebuilding exists within the broader field of religion and politics.