Fethullah Gulen, the spirited advocate for peace, tolerance and peaceful co-existence, has stressed the importance of positive perception and understanding between the Muslim and non-Muslim population. In his speeches and writings he has pointed out the negativity of the images of the other in this complex relationship and proposed dialogue as a method of achieving peace and tolerance. Prof. Korostelina analyzes the role of negative perception in the development of conflict between Muslim and non-Muslim groups and proposes the tools of conflict resolution and peace building. Prof. Korostelina considers dialogue as a tool for the development of peaceful co-existence between Muslim and non-Muslim groups in a secular context.
Dr. Karina Korostelina is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, GMU and a Fellow of the European Research Center of Migration and Ethnic Relation (ERCOMER). She is a leading experts on identity-based conflicts, ethnic conflicts, the relationships between Muslim and non-Muslim populations, conflict resolution and peace building. Her recent interests include the study of civilian devastation, the processes of politicization of history and role of history education in conflict and post-conflict societies. She has been a Fulbright New Century Scholar, has participated in the Regional Scholar Exchange Program administered by the Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson Center, Washington, DC and in the CRC Nationalism session at the Curriculum Resource Center of the Central European University. She has received grants from the MacArthur Foundation, Soros Foundation (Research Support Scheme, Managing Multicultural Communities Project, and Renaissance Foundation), the United State Institute of Peace, US National Academy of Education, Spenser Foundation, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of USDS, INTAS, IREX, and Council of Europe. The results of her research were presented at numerous international conferences in Europe and the USA and in publications in International journals. Among her books are: The social identity and Conflict (2007); Structure and Dynamics of Social Identity (2003); The system of social identities: The analysis of ethnic situation in the Crimea (2002); and The role of History Education in Conflict and Post-Conflict Societies (in course of publication). She is an editor of Identity, Morality and Threat (2006) and Interethnic Coexistence in the Crimea: The Ways of Achievement (2002).
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