The Rumi Forum held a conference titled "Islamic Traditions of Peace and Nonviolence: Responding to Contemporary Challenges" at the American University with the cooperation of the University's Center for Global Peace & Mohammed Said Farsi, Chair of Islamic Peace, Salam Institute for Peace and Justice and United States Institute of Peace.

The conference focused on linking theological and religious interpretations of peace and nonviolence with tangible practices at the community level as well as policy making. Given the common representation of Islam, in the Western media in particular, Islam and nonviolence might not seem to be compatible. Indeed, Islamic tradition of nonviolence is deep rooted, and interest in the Islamic tradition of nonviolence has been revived over the last few years with various Islamic movements and leaders now searching for ways to employ nonviolence as a means of social transformation. In this context a dialogue and exchange among Muslim scholars, religious authorities, and practitioners regarding the traditions of peace and nonviolence and how they can be applied in the contemporary world, would contribute significantly to constructively address the issues facing Muslims in our current world.