Despite the behaviour of Islamic extremists such as the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, Islam is a religion of peace and submission to Allah.

Muslims believe that if a person is truly sorry and repents for what they have done wrong then they should be shown forgiveness. Mohammad taught that people should try to forgive those who have wronged or offended them.

Muslims are called on to co-exist peacefully and respectfully, for example in the Amman Message.

Ummah (community) is a key concept within Islam. Muslims believe they should protect ummah and ensure people live in harmony. This requires victims trying to forgive those who have done them wrong. And for an offender to realise the impact of their actions and repent, it is important they talk with their victims.

This is the same idea as restorative justice, which the UK Ministry of Justice wants to be offered to all victims of crime. But unlike the Western concept of restorative justice, the
sharia incorporates elements of restorative justice with a heavy emphasis on forgiveness, with or without an apology.

References

Amman Message: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amman_Message

Ummah: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ummah

Restorative Justice: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_justice

Forgiveness article from Hampton College: https://hamptoncollege.org.uk/site/assets/files/3237/yr_11_re_work.pdf

FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN ISLAM AND THE WEST: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Sharia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia