[ 151 ] AL-ALBAB Volume 6 Number 1 June 2017 BOOK REVIEW Sharing the Role of Peace Pontianak: IAIN Pontianak Press, 2016 By Eka Hendry Ar. Reviewed By Andry Fitriyanto Pontianak State Institute of Islamic Studies  e tragedy of Habil’s death in the hands of Qabil shows that from the very beginning of human life on earth, it has been � lled by con� ict. It is a necessity in our lives. Just like crime and good, peace and con� ict are also two things that continue to � ll human life.  en, can we materialize true peace where there is no con� ict in it?  is book, Sharing Role of Peace begins with a very philosophical study. It is like inviting the reader to re� ect again on the meaning of peace and con� ict. Both are a paradox. In contrast to each other, but they need each other. Con� ict is caused by the realization of a peace which requires the non-existence of con� ict. If there is a con� ict, then peace will be gone. But on the other hand, they also need each other. Peace requires con� ict as a driver of change for the better. Con� ict requires peace as the ultimate goal. From theis paradox, the author sends the implicit meaning of con� ict.  ere are constructive and destructive con� icts. Constructive con� ict is the opposite of contestation towards a better change. While the destructive con� ict is any con� ict that brings bad impact like con� ict with violence.  ere are at least two basic premises which should serve as the basis of thought to reach the ideals of peace. First, in true peace there is a con� ict management process to minimize its destructive impact. Second, true peace means not only the absence of violence in it, but also the non-existence of all causes and residual violent con� ict in the future. So, con� ict is something we cannot avoid in an eff ort to realize the ideals of peace. It is how we deal with and manage the con� ict so that it brings a positive impact that is useful for change to a better direction. Con� ict which should be eliminated is destructive violent con� ict. Eff orts to [ 152 ] AL-ALBAB Volume 6 Number 1 June 2017 realize reconciliation must also touch all potential causes and residual con� icts such as injustice and social imbalance and negative stereotypes inherent in the community. Conversely, the management of constructive con� ict should be a priority in encouraging the change of society to the better.  e main spirit of this book is to change the common paradigm we normally encounter. First, the work to achieve peace is not only done in the event of violent con� ict, so the work is not totally � nished when violent con� ict stops.  e “� re brigade” approach is deemed not to resolve the root of con� ict and is not eff ective in realizing long-term peace. So, “prevention is better than cure” should be the principle we must adopt in bringing about peace. Second, the responsibility for the realization of peace is not only the responsibility of the government and the security apparatus, but all elements of society must also play an active role in safeguarding environmental conditions and suppressing potential con� icts. Realizing the ideals of true peace is a job that requires a long process and must involve various parties.  e awareness of many parties to this task of peace that ultimately gave birth to what the author referred to as the siege of kindness.  is will bring the community closer to the ideals of peace.  ere are at least seven components that can be mobilized either as agents or the media to realize true peace. Starting from education, mass media, women, religious institutions, government, young generation, and even the empowerment of local wisdom. So, the approach taken to realize peace becomes more comprehensive. Because the core of this approach is collectivity and collective movement of all components of society that move systematically and simultaneously.  is is the essence conveyed by the author in his book. To change or awaken awareness of an issue, then education is the keyword. Similarly, with the awareness of the importance of reaching the ideals of true peace, education is the most eff ective way. Although it takes a long process to instill these seeds of peace, yet in the future we will certainly reap the harvest of tolerance and inclusiveness of the younger generation as peace agents.  is book is neatly reviews how education (especially religious education) can be instrumental in shaping a religious attitude of love for peace. Under the title of the Mainstreaming of Peace Education in Islamic Religious Education (pp. 65-83), the author off ers concrete steps on how to transfer awareness of true peace in the teaching and learning process at school.  is is so important given the many con� icts that occur in the pretext of religious sentiments. In addition to religion, the theme that is crucial in the realization of peace is democracy. Both variables must be recognized to reveal a double face. Although [ 153 ] AL-ALBAB Volume 6 Number 1 June 2017 both are used in the context of seeking the bene� t of human beings, on the other hand it can not separate itself from the short overture that follows. In fact, violent con� icts o en occur in societies that have embraced democratic systems, and many con� icts are suspected of using religious motives. Questions arise here: is violent con� ict something inherent in democracy and religion or do we misunderstand both? It is this misunderstanding that leads to the implementation of actions that make room for violent con� ict.  ere are at least � ve mistakes in the interpreting the meaning of democracy according to the author, namely the simpli� cation of the nature of democracy, democracy is considered a goal, democracy is considered merely an instrument, a democracy that lacks human rights and the rule of law, and democracy without ideological identity (p. 11-15). So there needs to be a kind of reinterpretation and reactualization of democratic values in our society.  is aims to restore the meaning and application of democracy in accordance with its basic values. On the other hand, we can � nd other motives such as economic and political motives in violent con� icts in the name of religion. Religion is o en only made camou� age for the sake of other interests. Even on the occasion of a crusade which is a violent con� ict in the name of the greatest religion of all time can be interpreted an indication of the content of political, cultural, economic interest that places the religious motive on its surface (pp. 19-44). However, religion is still the way of good for humanity. Although it also has a unifying potential and media resistance to conditions that are considered unpro� table. So it takes the wisdom and intelligence of religious people to manage all the potential that belongs to a more constructive direction.  e interesting part of this book is about media relations and con� ict (pp. 85- 97).  e media in question here is not only print and electronic mass media, but includes social media and other messenger media. Media actually serves as a window of information and enlightenment for society, a vehicle of criticism and social control, and entertainment. However, we also o en see the media play a provocativen function in violent con� icts. One should admit that economic, political, and ideological interests also cannot be separated from the managers of information. Lately, we have been surprised by the arrest of groups organizing themselves to spread false news, hate speech, and vile slander.  is group uses social media as a medium of information to form public opinion. Such things may trigger violent con� ict in our society. Given the importance of the role and function of the media in the work of [ 154 ] AL-ALBAB Volume 6 Number 1 June 2017 peace, it requires a kind of awareness to build a common good.  is awareness will bring ideological alignments to the peace processes. Of the ten points that should be developed by the media as agents of peace, at least three things must be underlined. First, one of the fundamental tasks of the media is to give space to con� icting parties to voice their aspirations. Second, the media should try to explicitly convey some of the theory or intellectual references and paradigms to understand the con� ict.  ird, the media should strive to take a clearer picture of the bene� ts of peace.  is puts the media as a conveyor of both parties’ con� icting aspirations to the government and the public. It is important to establish dialog and con� ict resolution solutions. With this idea of peace journalism, it is expected to bring enlightenment to the community and support con� ict reconciliation. In general this book illustrates that each of us has an equally important role in realizing the ideals of peace. It stresses on the importance of building such an awareness to unite perceptions and movements in overcoming any potential destructive con� ict that can arise at any time.