he original version of The Little Book of Restorative Justice was written primarily for a North American audience. As Ali Gohar and I began to work together, he felt that the book would have value in his home context not as a blueprint to be implemented there, but as a catalyst for a discussion about justice and values in the Pakistani-Afghan context.

To Simply present the book as originally written did not seem quite appropriate for this purpose. However, to try to fully adapt it would probably result in something artificial and inappropriate as well. We concluded that it was best to acknowledge the book for what it was originally intended, but make some adaptations and additional commentary for the Pakistani-Afghan audience.

I have, therefore in collaboration with Ali Gohar made only minor changes in the primary text. We have then inserted Ali's commentary or additions in boxes with italicized text. I am pleased to have this opportunity to be part of what I hope will be a multidirectional dialogue about justice. It is through sharing ideas that we learn and grow. Indeed, some of Ali's

 suggestions have caused me to modify some of my own basic concepts. In that sense, my willingness to share this material is some what selfish: I have much yet to learn. As I told an international audience recently, we are all on a journey here. The road to a justice that restores is long, with many curves, dead-ends and unknowns. Moreover at least in the West we are very early on this journey. We need all the help from each other that we can get.

Salaam

Dr. Howard Zehr    October, 2003.