Peace, Islam and the Arts in Dubai

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary results of qualitative research at the crossroads of Peace Education, Sciences of Religions, and Art History on perceptions of Islam and Peace by 160 university students from different religious and ethnic backgrounds, enrolled in Middle Eastern Studies courses at the American University in Dubai from 2015 to 2017. The paper includes the analysis of students’ artworks, evaluations, and excerpts of intercultural/interreligious exchanges of artistic ideas in the classrooms aiming at fostering non-violent alternatives to contribute to a culture of peace.