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Year 11 - Religious education

Muslim attitudes to conflict

Peace and conflict

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils examine Islamic attitudes to peace and violence. They will examine attitudes to conflict, pacifism and holy or just war. They will move on to examine specific ideas such as nuclear war and terrorism. Finally they will examine the role of Islam in finding and making peace.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to understand the nature of conflict and explore different perspectives on it, including those from a Muslim viewpoint.

Key Notes

  • Conflict can be small or large and is often caused by politics, religion, inequality or power struggles.
  • It leads to serious harm, including loss of life, displacement and damage to communities.
  • Religion can create division but also encourages peace, forgiveness and moral action.
  • Islam teaches that peace is the aim and force is only allowed in strict self-defence.
  • Muslims reject outcome-based ethics, following clear guidance from Allah on conflict instead.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • conflict: the opposition of individuals or groups that may result in aggression or fighting
  • peace: a period of time in which there is no war
  • violence: behaviour that aims to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Islam supports violence in response to conflict.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Conflict can be small or large and is often caused by politics, religion, inequality or power struggles. It leads to serious harm, including loss of life, displacement and damage to communities.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'conflict'

the opposition of individuals or groups that may result in aggression or fighting.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: Islam supports violence in response to conflict. Correction: Islam teaches that violence is only allowed in self-defence and under strict conditions.

More Lessons In This Unit

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