iPeace.us
2024-03-29T13:13:29Z
Rev. Joseph Verrett (EagleBear)
https://ipeace.us/profile/RevJosephVerrettEagleBear
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https://ipeace.us/group/peaceisnotjustaword/forum/topic/listForContributor?user=1erc7peae6b8g&feed=yes&xn_auth=no
Balkan and xenophobia
tag:ipeace.us,2011-01-08:2217368:Topic:2739981
2011-01-08T03:59:54.452Z
Rev. Joseph Verrett (EagleBear)
https://ipeace.us/profile/RevJosephVerrettEagleBear
<p>Many phenomenon in political and social life in Balkan warn that even eleven years after the last war xenophobia is present among the huge majority of citizens.Apart the economic poverty and depression, prejudices, misconceptions, and stereotypes about the others and us are wittingly regenerating. It multiplies fear and hatred and in practice, results with massive violence. Have new authorities and citizens of Western Balkans acquired any experiences from the past war dramas? Can we talk…</p>
<p>Many phenomenon in political and social life in Balkan warn that even eleven years after the last war xenophobia is present among the huge majority of citizens.Apart the economic poverty and depression, prejudices, misconceptions, and stereotypes about the others and us are wittingly regenerating. It multiplies fear and hatred and in practice, results with massive violence. Have new authorities and citizens of Western Balkans acquired any experiences from the past war dramas? Can we talk about positive changes, when we speak about xenophobia and hatred? Unfortunately, this questions can be answered and have to be mostly answered in a negative way.</p>
Through Differing Prayers
tag:ipeace.us,2010-09-28:2217368:Topic:2686593
2010-09-28T17:32:31.888Z
Rev. Joseph Verrett (EagleBear)
https://ipeace.us/profile/RevJosephVerrettEagleBear
Nine brave souls on the Irene<br></br>sailed to show the world a scene<br></br>where not all Jewish voices scream<br></br>for a blockade on Gaza's dream<br></br>of a future without deprivation<br></br>for that tiny short changed nation<br></br>No violence was incurred today<br></br>but the goods were a token some would say<br></br>though tokens from within their own<br></br>may gain some votes that could dethrone<br></br>those men with agendas of hostility<br></br>to all who try to visit Gaza by sea<br></br><br></br>A small yacht with so little…
Nine brave souls on the Irene<br/>sailed to show the world a scene<br/>where not all Jewish voices scream<br/>for a blockade on Gaza's dream<br/>of a future without deprivation<br/>for that tiny short changed nation<br/>No violence was incurred today<br/>but the goods were a token some would say<br/>though tokens from within their own<br/>may gain some votes that could dethrone<br/>those men with agendas of hostility<br/>to all who try to visit Gaza by sea<br/><br/>A small yacht with so little power<br/>was bound to be boarded within the hour<br/>no speed to dash, no arms to fire<br/>but the words that follow may inspire<br/>another wave of voices to join the few<br/>who within Israel would like to renew<br/>peace for all, the one real sense,<br/>which when it comes will bring immense<br/>relief for all that seek a chance to be<br/>free of constraints, free to be free.<br/>With luck the talks that have been held<br/>will make agreements that can forge and weld<br/>a bond between those neighbours who share<br/>a love of Jerusalem through differing prayers...<br/><br/>©Rhumour<br/>September 28th 2010
Quite Stellar
tag:ipeace.us,2010-09-27:2217368:Topic:2686150
2010-09-27T16:27:51.987Z
Rev. Joseph Verrett (EagleBear)
https://ipeace.us/profile/RevJosephVerrettEagleBear
Peace and goodwill is all around,<br/>in fragments here and there, <br/>it is still to be found,<br/>can we learn to stitch those all together<br/>use the fabric that we've made into one umbrella<br/>that will shelter us all through stormy weather<br/>and strengthen our ties, which would be quite stellar...<br/><br/>©Rhumour<br/>September 27th 2010<br/>
Peace and goodwill is all around,<br/>in fragments here and there, <br/>it is still to be found,<br/>can we learn to stitch those all together<br/>use the fabric that we've made into one umbrella<br/>that will shelter us all through stormy weather<br/>and strengthen our ties, which would be quite stellar...<br/><br/>©Rhumour<br/>September 27th 2010<br/>
Where are the Answers to be find?
tag:ipeace.us,2010-08-18:2217368:Topic:2663242
2010-08-18T18:06:31.744Z
Rev. Joseph Verrett (EagleBear)
https://ipeace.us/profile/RevJosephVerrettEagleBear
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<br></br><br></br> <br></br><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br></br></p>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><a id="result_box" name="result_box"></a>Even as a little girl , I was interested in the issues that no one could give me an answers to* smile *<br></br><span style="BACKGROUND: #ffffff">That interest has continued, even if the answers are not so many more now. But today I have a name for my interest, namely philosophy:) So far I have come.<br></br><br></br>I do not know if this is the right forum for…</span></p>
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<br/><br/> <br/><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br/></p>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><a id="result_box" name="result_box"></a>Even as a little girl , I was interested in the issues that no one could give me an answers to* smile *<br/><span style="BACKGROUND: #ffffff">That interest has continued, even if the answers are not so many more now. But today I have a name for my interest, namely philosophy:) So far I have come.<br/><br/>I do not know if this is the right forum for these my thoughts.</span> <font color="#000000"><span style="BACKGROUND: #e6ecf9">Since the majority here has such a strong faith in God, that it does not leave much over for me in my philosophical discussions.<br/></span></font><span style="BACKGROUND: #ffffff">The big questions are already answered by God. In him is also the point of everything.<br/>What is then left to speculate about ?<br/><br/></span>In any case, my old life reflections on these unanswered questions, I will ask here. <span style="BACKGROUND: #ffffff">I hope that someone is interested to ventilate them, although we have not key<br/></span><br/></p>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><span style="BACKGROUND: #ffffff">Her comes the first ones *</span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><span style="BACKGROUND: #ffffff">smile*</span></span><span style="BACKGROUND: #ffffff"><br/> </span></p>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><b>1.Can there be a meaning in life without believing in a God?</b></p>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><br/></p>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"><b>2.Is there any concepts that can be true to everyone? If the answer is no. Does that mean there is no absolute truth?</b></p>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm"> </p>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm">3.<strong>And what conclusion can we draw from that statement?</strong></p>
Rebel (with a cause...)
tag:ipeace.us,2010-08-11:2217368:Topic:2659523
2010-08-11T08:13:33.799Z
Rev. Joseph Verrett (EagleBear)
https://ipeace.us/profile/RevJosephVerrettEagleBear
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(59, 42, 28); font-family: 'Comic Sans Ms'; font-size: 18px;"><strong>Rebel</strong><br></br><br></br>I am a rebel against torture<br></br>I am a rebel against pain<br></br>I seek an end to hunger<br></br>I seek an end to the shame<br></br><br></br>The shame that comes from knowing<br></br>all those children that die without water<br></br>all those children that die without names<br></br>all those children that die from war<br></br><br></br>Why do men play their vicious games<br></br>why do those…</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(59, 42, 28); font-family: 'Comic Sans Ms'; font-size: 18px;"><strong>Rebel</strong><br/><br/>I am a rebel against torture<br/>I am a rebel against pain<br/>I seek an end to hunger<br/>I seek an end to the shame<br/><br/>The shame that comes from knowing<br/>all those children that die without water<br/>all those children that die without names<br/>all those children that die from war<br/><br/>Why do men play their vicious games<br/>why do those men pretend to serve God<br/>when all they want is power over others<br/>when all they see is the red mist of blood<br/><br/>I am a rebel against politics<br/>I am a rebel against greed<br/>I seek an end to robbery<br/>I seek new ways to succeed<br/><br/>The needs of my child are sated<br/>The needs of many more are not<br/>All children were born equal<br/>All should be safe, not shot<br/><br/>Why do we buy the rubbish<br/>we then litter all around<br/>why do we let the merchants<br/>pollute us with the sound<br/><br/>The sound of quick hard sell words<br/>the sound that masks whats real<br/>the sound of till drawers opening<br/>the sound as they thus steal<br/><br/>They steal our childrens futures<br/>They hide the urgent needs to come<br/>They want to keep our eyes closed<br/>They want us to stay mum<br/><br/>Rebel against their cruel ways<br/>Rebel against their future theft<br/>Rebel until they come to listen<br/>Rebel until we do our best<br/><br/>The best is not to squander<br/>The best does not spoil the land<br/>The best is taking care of all<br/>The best is to make them understand</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(59, 42, 28); font-family: 'Comic Sans Ms'; font-size: 18px;"><br/></span></div>
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(59, 42, 28); font-family: 'Comic Sans Ms'; font-size: 18px;">I am a Rebel - <i>with a cause</i><br/><br/>©Rhumour<br/>August 11th 2010</span></div>
POUR LES ENFANTS DU MONDE ENTIER
tag:ipeace.us,2010-07-22:2217368:Topic:2646176
2010-07-22T16:37:47.580Z
Rev. Joseph Verrett (EagleBear)
https://ipeace.us/profile/RevJosephVerrettEagleBear
<p><b>POUR LES ENFANTS DU MONDE ENTIER</b><br></br><br></br>Yes <b>ALL OVER THE WORLD WE EXPLOITE then CHILDREN</b><br></br><br></br><i>How to deal with that fact?</i><br></br><br></br> <object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1P9-gmEO-ns&hl=sv_SE&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="never" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1P9-gmEO-ns&hl=sv_SE&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" wmode="opaque"></embed> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param></object>
<br></br><br></br><b>I Wish we could instead;<br></br><br></br>PRENDRE UN ENFANT PAR LA MAIN<br></br><br></br>YES.. TAKE A CHILD BY THE HAND.</b><br></br><br></br>Instead of putting a weapon in it or brainwash them…<br></br><br></br></p>
<p><b>POUR LES ENFANTS DU MONDE ENTIER</b><br/><br/>Yes <b>ALL OVER THE WORLD WE EXPLOITE then CHILDREN</b><br/><br/><i>How to deal with that fact?</i><br/><br/> <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1P9-gmEO-ns&hl=sv_SE&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1P9-gmEO-ns&hl=sv_SE&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="never" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
<br/><br/><b>I Wish we could instead;<br/><br/>PRENDRE UN ENFANT PAR LA MAIN<br/><br/>YES.. TAKE A CHILD BY THE HAND.</b><br/><br/>Instead of putting a weapon in it or brainwash them<br/><br/> <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wiI8f8yKwlA&hl=sv_SE&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wiI8f8yKwlA&hl=sv_SE&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="never" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
</p>
<p> </p>
<p>NO WE MUST NEVER USE CHILDREN IN OUR GROWN-UPS CONFLICTS</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That should be a sacred rule which certainly is signed by God,</p>
<p>Something that ought to make it easier for strong believers to condemn it and act to stop it...</p>
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<p> </p>
<p> </p>
7 Simple Steps To Inner Peace
tag:ipeace.us,2010-07-22:2217368:Topic:2645925
2010-07-22T06:09:29.687Z
Rev. Joseph Verrett (EagleBear)
https://ipeace.us/profile/RevJosephVerrettEagleBear
<font size="4"><span style="COLOR: #5a70b3"><em><strong><br />
</strong></em></span></font><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="4"><span style="COLOR: #5a70b3"><em><strong><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/97263046?profile=original"></img></strong></em></span></font></p>
<p> </p>
<p><font size="4"><span style="COLOR: #5a70b3"><em><strong>Seven Simple Steps To Inner Peace - Sri Chinmoy</strong></em></span><strong><em><span style="COLOR: #5a70b3"><big><strong><em><span style="COLOR: #5a70b3"><br></br><br></br>These Are Some Suggestions For Bringing More Peace…</span></em></strong></big></span></em></strong></font></p>
<font size="4"><span style="COLOR: #5a70b3"><em><strong><br />
</strong></em></span></font><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="4"><span style="COLOR: #5a70b3"><em><strong><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/97263046?profile=original"/></strong></em></span></font></p>
<p> </p>
<p><font size="4"><span style="COLOR: #5a70b3"><em><strong>Seven Simple Steps To Inner Peace - Sri Chinmoy</strong></em></span><strong><em><span style="COLOR: #5a70b3"><big><strong><em><span style="COLOR: #5a70b3"><br/><br/>These Are Some Suggestions For Bringing More Peace Into Your Mind.<br/><br/>1. Choose Carefully Where We Spend Time.<br/>If you are a news addict and spend an hour reading newspapers everyday, our mind will be agitated by the relentless negativity we see in the world. <br/>It is true, that we can try to detach from this negativity. <br/>But, in practise, we will make our progress easier if we don’t spend several hours ruminating over the problems of the world. <br/>If you have a spare 15 minutes, don’t just automatically switch on the TV or surf the internet. <br/>Take the opportunity to be still or at least do something positive. <br/>The problem is the mind feels insecure unless it has something to occupy it. <br/>However, when we really can attain a clear mind we discover it creates a genuine sense of happiness and inner peace.<br/><br/>2. Control Of Thoughts.<br/>It is our thoughts that determine our state of mind. <br/>If we constantly cherish negative and destructive thoughts, inner peace will always remain a far cry. <br/>At all costs, we need to avoid pursuing trains of negative thoughts. <br/>This requires practise. – We cannot attain mastery of our thoughts over night. <br/>But, at the same time we always have to remember that we are able to decide which thoughts to follow and which to reject. <br/>Never feel you are a helpless victim to your thoughts.<br/><br/>“If you have inner peace,<br/>nobody can force you to be a slave to the outer reality.” - Sri Chinmoy <br/><br/>3. Simplify Your Life<br/>Modern life, places great demands on our time. <br/>We can feel that we never have enough time to fulfill all our tasks. <br/>However, we should seek to minimise these outer demands. <br/>Take time to simplify your life; there are many things that we can do without, quite often we add unnecessary responsibilities to our schedule. <br/>Do the most significant tasks, one at a time, and enjoy doing them. <br/>To experience inner peace, it is essential to avoid cluttering our life with unnecessary activities and worries.<br/><br/>4. Spend time To Cultivate Inner Peace.<br/>Every day we spend 8 hours a day to earn money, can we not find time to spend 15 minutes to cultivate inner peace? <br/>No matter how much money we earn, it cannot bring us inner peace, but, if we spend 15 minutes on meditation and relaxation techniques inner peace can become a possibility. <br/>Meditation does not just mean sitting still for 30 minutes; in meditation we seek to experience a state of consciousness which is flooded with inner peace. <br/>To experience this inner peace we cannot allow any thought to enter into our mind. <br/>True inner peace occurs when we can transcend the world of thoughts.<br/><br/>“You cannot buy peace; you must know how to manufacture it within, in the stillness of your daily practises in meditation.”<br/>- Paramahansa Yogananda <br/><br/>5. Be Immune To Flattery & Criticism<br/>If we depend on the opinions and praise of other people, we can never have inner peace. <br/>Criticism and flattery are two sides of the same coin. <br/>They are both the judgements of others. <br/>However, we should not allow ourselves to be affected by either. <br/>When we do, we feed the ego. <br/>We should learn to have confidence in ourselves. <br/>This does not mean we will love ourselves in an egotistical way, it means we value our real self and have belief in the good qualities that are part of everyone.<br/><br/>6. Be Active Selflessly<br/>Inner peace does not mean that we have to live a life of a hermit. <br/>Inner peace, can be felt amidst dynamic activity. <br/>But, this action should be done with selfless motives. <br/>When we serve others we forget our sense of self, and it is when we forget our limited self that we can have inner peace.<br/><br/>7. Avoid Criticising Others<br/>If we want inner peace, we should feel that our inner peace depends on the well being of others. <br/>If we are indifferent to the feelings of others, then it is impossible to have inner peace for ourselves. <br/>What we give out comes back. <br/>If you offer a peaceful attitude to others this is what we will see return.</span></em></strong></big></span></em></strong></font></p>
Your "Sword" Against Whom or What shall you target it?
tag:ipeace.us,2010-07-20:2217368:Topic:2645593
2010-07-20T14:56:44.594Z
Rev. Joseph Verrett (EagleBear)
https://ipeace.us/profile/RevJosephVerrettEagleBear
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/97262832?profile=original"></img></p>
<p> </p>
<p>So very sad and terrible things is happening in our world and the words become so "bite- less" when we want to dress these things in our restricted vocabulary,that it feels a bit ridiculous to even try. .<br></br>Then you feel in your despair and hopelessness, that you would like to draw your sharp-edged "Sword"</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>But against whom or what shall you target…</strong></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/97262832?profile=original"/></p>
<p> </p>
<p>So very sad and terrible things is happening in our world and the words become so "bite- less" when we want to dress these things in our restricted vocabulary,that it feels a bit ridiculous to even try. .<br/>Then you feel in your despair and hopelessness, that you would like to draw your sharp-edged "Sword"</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>But against whom or what shall you target it?</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p>against</p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Mother Nature?</strong> Who has caused so many incredible natural disasters</p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Mr Fritzl?</strong> Who has come to symbolize the phenomenon of evil.</p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>The "overweight" in-countries?</strong> Which are investing in themselves and build up their "biceps", while the developing countries' people are starving</p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>The politicians?</strong> Who have made possible and still do, for injustices to become a natural part of our everyday life</p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>All all forms of abuse?</strong> Which in its turn give birth to new ones</p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>The resistance?</strong> Incompatible with all our attempts</p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Ignorance?</strong> That become our excuse, for not knowing better</p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Ourselves?</strong> As a part of the society we jointly created</p>
Islam and Peace
tag:ipeace.us,2010-07-18:2217368:Topic:2644617
2010-07-18T21:41:31.998Z
Rev. Joseph Verrett (EagleBear)
https://ipeace.us/profile/RevJosephVerrettEagleBear
<p><font face="Arial" size="2">Islam is uncompromisingly a law of peace and a religion of mercy. Only he who is ignorant of its teachings, hostile to its system, or is arrogant enough not to accept clear<br></br> evidence, will dispute this fact.</font></p>
<br></br>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2"><br></br></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2">The word Islam is itself derived from the word peace (i.e. salaam). And Muslim is the best description of those who believe in this…</font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial">Islam is uncompromisingly a law of peace and a religion of mercy. Only he who is ignorant of its teachings, hostile to its system, or is arrogant enough not to accept clear<br/> evidence, will dispute this fact.</font></p>
<br/>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial"><br/></font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial">The word Islam is itself derived from the word peace (i.e. salaam). And Muslim is the best description of those who believe in this religion:</font></p>
<br/>
<blockquote><blockquote><p align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘<span style="font-weight: bold;">It is the religion of your father Abraham. It is He (Allah) Who has named you Muslims</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">both before and in this</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">(the Qur’an), that the Messenger be a witness over you and you be a</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">witness over</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">mankind!’</span></i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Surat-al-Hajj (22), ayah 78)</i></font></p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br/><p><font size="2" face="Arial">Even the greetings between Muslims is "May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you." <br/></font></p>
<br/>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial"><br/></font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial">Furthermore the revelation of the Qur’an brought with it the angels of peace and the night in which it was revealed became a night of peace:</font></p>
<br/>
<blockquote><blockquote><p align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘<span style="font-weight: bold;">Verily! We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree). And</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">what will make you</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">know what the night of decree is. The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">better than a thousand</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">months. Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Jibreel) by Allah’s</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Permission with</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">all Decree, Peace! until the appearance of dawn.’</span></i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Surat-al-Qadr (97), ayahs 1-5)</i></font></p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br/>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial">The servant greets his Lord with no better greeting than the greeting of peace:</font></p>
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<blockquote><blockquote><p align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘<span style="font-weight: bold;">Their greeting on the day they shall meet Him will be: Peace. And He will prepare for</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">them a generous</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">reward.’</span></i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Surat-al-Ahzaab (33), ayah 44)</i></font></p>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial">The Angels will welcome the righteous into paradise with peace<i>:</i></font></p>
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<blockquote><blockquote><p align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘<span style="font-weight: bold;">And the angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying): "Peace be unto you</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">for that you have</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"/><span style="font-weight: bold;">persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!"’</span></i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Surat-ar-Ra’d (13), 23-24)</i></font></p>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial">Paradise is itself a place of peace:</font></p>
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<blockquote><blockquote><p align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘<span style="font-weight: bold;">For them will be the home of peace (paradise) with their Lord. And He will be their</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Helper and Protector</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">because of what they used to do.’</span></i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Surat-al-An’aam (6), ayah 127)</i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘</i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>Allah calls to the home of peace and guides whom He wills to a Straight path.’</i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Surat-Yunus (10), ayah 25)</i></font></p>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial">Allah, the High, the Blessed, has named Himself "Peace":</font></p>
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<blockquote><blockquote><p align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘<span style="font-weight: bold;">He is Allah other than Whom there is none (that has the right to be worshipped) the</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">King, the Holy, the</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Peace...’</span></i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Surat-al-Hashr (59), ayah 23)</i></font></p>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial">Of course the Muslim would not hesitate to answer this call to peace, and will never reject it.</font></p>
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<blockquote><blockquote><p align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘<span style="font-weight: bold;">But if they incline to peace, you also incline to it, and put your trust in Allah.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Verily, he is the</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">All-Hearer, the All-Knower.’</span></i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Surat-al-Anfal (8), ayah 62)</i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘</i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>And say not to he who seeks to make peace with you, "you are not a believer". Seeking the perishable goods of the worldly life. There are many more profits with Allah.’</i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Surat-an-Nisaa’ (4), ayah 94)</i></font></p>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial">No religious law or social system has encouraged the establishment of peace in the same way that Islam has done, for Islam has ordered the practice of this great virtue through respect and self-restraint even at the most testing of times such as <i>Hajj</i> (pilgrimage). During this sacred time, a pilgrim is strictly prohibited from cutting his nails, shortening his hair, destroying a tree, killing an animal or harming anyone in any way, even if he shall find the killer of his father he is not permitted to hurt him at all:</font></p>
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<blockquote><blockquote><p align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘<span style="font-weight: bold;">So whosoever intends to perform Hajj then he should not have sexual relations</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">(with his/her</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">wife/husband), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during Hajj’</span></i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Surat-al-Baqarah (2), ayah 197)</i></font></p>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial">These prohibitions establish peace within and between the Muslims.</font></p>
<br/><font size="3" color="#FF0000" face="Arial"><b><br/><br/>The
Preference of Peace, Wherever Possible and its Encouragement</b></font><br/>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial"><br/></font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial">A Muslim only fights when forced to, and after exhausting all peaceful means of reconciliation. If any opportunity of peace arises, then Islam makes it compulsory for the Muslims to take it. A Muslim is also required to extinguish the flame of war whenever and wherever he can. The Qur’an says:</font></p>
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<blockquote><blockquote><p align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘<span style="font-weight: bold;">But if they incline to peace, you also incline to it, and (put your) trust in Allah.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Verily, He is the</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">All-Hearer, the All-Knower.’</span></i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Surat-al-Anfal (8), ayah 61)</i></font></p>
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<br/><font size="2" face="Arial"><br/>Islam was the most comprehensive
legislative system that had taken steps in the path of establishing peace. Islam drew for stability the most genuine guarantees, if adopted by the countries of the world, and followed by the rulers, leaders and politicians the world would then rest and save the agonies of war. Among these regulations and guarantees:</font><br/>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial"><br/></font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial">1- The sanctity of the meanings of brotherhood and the overcoming of the spirit of racism and rigidity; on this.</font></p>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial"><br/></font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial">2- The training of the souls on the spirit of forgiveness. Virtues like the absolute necessity for trustworthiness, and the prohibition of subversion and the dishonouring of treaties and agreements.</font></p>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial"><br/></font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial">3- The restriction of the idea of war into the smallest possible boundaries, forbidding transgression in all its manifestations, and the dominance of the principles of justice, compassion, and the respect of law and order even at the time of war itself. In this respect Islam has the high ground. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:</font></p>
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<blockquote><blockquote><p align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘<span style="font-weight: bold;">O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses and let not the</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">enmity and hatred of</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"/><span style="font-weight: bold;">others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety, and</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"/><span style="font-weight: bold;">fear Allah. Verily,</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Allah is Well-acquainted with what you do.’</span></i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Al-Maa’idah (5), ayah 8)</i></font></p>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial">4- Arms control, and again Islam has superseded all contemporary measures in this regard when the All-Mighty said:</font></p>
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<blockquote><blockquote><p align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>‘<span style="font-weight: bold;">And if two parties of the believers fall into fighting , then make peace between them</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">both, but if one of</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">them rebels against the other, then fight you (all) against that</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">which rebels till it</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"/><span style="font-weight: bold;">complies with the command of Allah; then if it complies, then make</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">reconciliation between</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">them justly, and be equitable. Verily! Allah loves those who are</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">equitable.’</span></i></font></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"><font size="2" color="#008000" face="Arial"><i>(Surat-al-Hujuraat (49), ayah 9)</i></font></p>
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<br/><p><a name="leaders_today" id="leaders_today"></a><font size="3" color="#FF0000" face="Arial"><b><br/></b></font></p>
<p><font size="3" color="#FF0000" face="Arial"><b>Where do the leaders of this age stand in realisation of these steps?</b></font></p>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial">What is the position of the leaders, politicians, scholars, lawyers and philosophers of this age in relation to these measures. And what have they done to restore peace on earth after the world has, in less than a quarter of century, witnessed two devastating world wars that have destroyed the green and the dry? After the first of which the ‘League of Nations’ was established to install peace but, it was destined to die before it was born due to its inability to solve even one case of disagreement between the nations that joined it and signed its treaties; it was only a moment of time before these countries and nations started preparing for war yet again to fulfill their political and imperialistic desires. It was said that the reason for its failure was the lack of a military sanction for the wrong-doer.</font></p>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial"><br/></font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial">Subsequent to the last war the ‘United Nations’ was founded and the Security Council was established. However differences and disagreements are still intensifying and gaining momentum. Neither the U.N. nor the security council, till now, have been able to resolve one dispute or untangle a disagreement. I fear, that nothing will remain except a Third World War.<br/></font></p>
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<p><font size="2" face="Arial">So why does the bewildered humanity not return to its creator and learn the lessons of peace, intellectually, theoretically and practically from Islam? <i>‘Say praise be to Allah and peace be upon His chosen servants. Is God not far more supreme than that with which they associate ?’.</i></font></p>