 The world today is a religious place, with 84% of people identifying as practitioners of a faith tradition. Religion shapes societies and individuals in fundamental ways, both when they are at peace and at war. In recent years, violent extremism couched in religious frames and a global rise in religious discrimination have dominated the headlines. Addressing these issues is crucial to building peace. Less told, but just as important for those seeking to build peace, are the stories of how religious actors and ideas can have a profound impact in supporting efforts to build peaceful coexistence and justice worldwide. Sri Lanka suffered from over 30 years of violent conflict rooted in ethnic, religious and class difference. Religious communities have come to view each other with mistrust. But in the midst of all these challenges, the center for peace building and reconciliation with USIP support has built a coalition of male and female religious leaders dedicated to peace and reconciliation. Their work has fueled not only personal but also social transformations that inspire clergy and their followers to act even more courageously and committedly to peace. In Iraq, the political transition that began in 2003 surfaced many tensions within and between faith communities. Many of those seeking to build peace understood the need to talk about religious identity, but they felt uncertain about how to do so in ways that wouldn't create a violent backlash. USIP worked in partnership with a group of Iraqi facilitators and civil society peace builders throughout the country to develop their capacity and strengthen their confidence in engaging with the religious sector. These facilitators taught peace courses in religious schools, developed the capacity of religious educators to promote tolerance, and directly mediated between religious communities in conflict in Nineveh province. In Nigeria, Pastor James Wuyeh and Imam Muhammad Ashafa served as soldiers in religiously inspired militia groups in their youth. Challenged by their own religious leadership and community members, they soon began to question their commitment to violence. They reconciled with one another and dedicated themselves to non-violence. James and Ashafa founded the Interfaith Mediation Center through which they build Christian-Muslim collaboration for peace. With USIP support, James and Ashafa mediated a local peace accord in Yelwa Shandem where peace has reigned for over a decade. Given religion's influence on societies and conflict dynamics around the world, it's critical that practitioners and policymakers understand and partner with the religious sector to build peace. For over 25 years, USIP has worked with religious communities to draw from their rich traditions, ideas and values that support peace and that can offer nonviolent paths forward in the midst of conflict. We offer skills to religious actors, both men and women, young and old, from many different faith traditions around the world to strengthen their ability to mediate conflicts, to reduce violence and to promote coexistence. USIP has a vision, a world in which the best of religion helps sustain peace rather than drive prejudice and violence. To get there, understanding the important influence of religion in shaping communities and governments and working within diverse religious communities is crucial. This work, like the work of peacebuilding generally, is not easy, but it's possible because peace is possible.