The aim of this symposium is to bring together scholars working on the topic of violence, extremism, violent radicalization, mujahada and peacemaking in Islam. The symposium organizers are interested in exploring the complex links and interaction among religious texts, social circumstances and cultural contexts which lead to extremism and violence. Many Islamic scholars are concerned about instrumentalisation of religious texts, beliefs, practices and particularly the notion of jihad to justify struggles and conflicts. The extremist rhetoric obscure the inclusive approach of the Muslim scripture through decontextualising the religious texts. This symposium intends to provide opportunities to deepen our understanding of the patterns of religious violence, its justifcation as well as  the nature and scope of our moral responses to them.