The forces of good are active in Algeria, where approximately 300 mourishdates (female religious guides) are working to counter radicalization at the grass-roots level.

All the guides have degrees in Islam, know the Koran by heart, and are authorized by the Religious Affairs Ministry.

The women, who work not only in mosques and schools but also in youth centers and even prisons, are often successful in deflating the appeal of ISIS, Al Qadea and other groups.

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Sayyed Muhammad Ali Husseini, secretary general of the Lebanese Shiite "Arabic Islamic Council," has been using his Facebook page to address Israelis in Hebrew and call for mutual understanding.

He also encourages leaders of all faiths to downplay texts or passages which might fan flames of hatred or violences, saying these are "worse than nuclear weapons."

Dr. Edy Cohen of Bar Ilan University has helped El-Husseini translate his appeals into Hebrew. Cohen doesn't know how much influence El-Husseini has in Lebanon, but points out that he has over 1800 followers on Facebook.

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It's not exactly peace education, but it is an attempt to limit the role of religion as a vehicle for hatred and violence. Jordan has issued new regulations about what imams can and cannot say in mosques. Those who follow the rules will receive monetary compensation, and those who don't will be banned from the pulpit. The regulations are said to be an attempt to head off support for ISIS.

Full Article in the Washington Post

In early November Dr. Omer ben Salem Al-Fayyumi, who recently defended his Ph.D. dissertation at the prestigious Al Azhar University in Cairo, visited Israel. At a meeting organized by the Interfaith Encounter Association, he presented a religious framework for a historical reconciliation between Muslims and Jews. 

Here are some excerpts from the dissertation's abstract:

The land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River is Holy to both Muslims and Jews… My dissertation discusses the importance of reliance on Islamic and Jewish moral values and the texts of our holy books to implement a viable solution for the conflict over the Holy Land

The researcher suggests that Jews view the inhabitants who live in the Holy Land as (Hebrew: הַגֵּר הַגָּר אִתְּכֶם וְאָהַבְתָּ) “foreigners residing among you,” … if the Jewish people view the Palestinians as “foreigner residing among you” as defined in Leviticus 19:34, peace will be possible. Why? The Bible commands that non-Israelites be treated with love and respect the same way as Israelites: “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”

 On the Other hand, Muslims have to view the Jews who live in the Holy Land –… as Qoum Moussa (Arabic:  قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰ) or People of the book (Q3:113). .. if the Muslim people view the Jewish inhabitants of the Holy Land as co-religionists or as Qoum Moussa” as defined in Q7:159, peace will be possible. Why? The Qur’an commends and commands as follow: “Of the people of Moses there is a section who guide and do justice in the light of truth.” And also, Q60:7 ” It may be that Allah will grant love (and friendship) between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies. For Allah has power (over all things); And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”