The urge for real peace

Laiq Ahmed Atif, president, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta, Ta' Xbiex

The world at large is worried about future prospects of world peace.

The pace at which peace is fast disappearing from the world has caused every sane and sensible person to worry. Today, man is riddled with problems that promise a very ominous future for mankind as a whole, and the direction in which things are moving may cause troubles to mankind and may destroy world peace.

Therefore, it is very important to sit down and find a solution to save humanity from the brink of disaster and to spread a message of peace and harmony and of hope for mankind. And to achieve this goal, we should not leave any stone unturned.

Peace is a need of all times and ages. Mankind has always loved peace. Since the beginning of life on this earth, human beings have been struggling to achieve eternal and everlasting peace. So, today, man needs to seriously think about how true peace can be established and how this world can be made a haven of peace.

To bring about peace in the world we must understand the true concepts of justice and equality. The seeds of love, respect and universal brotherhood should be sown. Each other's sentiments should be honoured and cared for and each other's rights respected.

Peace requires justice and the rule of law. And if real and long-lasting peace is to be established, then not only justice is required but the strong should treat the weak with equity and in the same manner as one treats one's dear and beloved ones. Problems cannot be solved with the use of force but through good and just treatment that fosters a feeling of bonding and trust.

The urge for real peace comes from the heart and what comes from the heart is what can be conducive to real peace because it is based on love and warmth.

The idea of universal brotherhood can also foster love, affection and equality. Peace and security cannot be established until people of each race and nation are able to recognise that they are indeed the children of Adam and are, therefore, equal. Different clans and tribes are right to recognise one another. And all mankind is like a family and it can look after the peace and security of each member only if it lives like a close-knit family. Peace and security will prevail when each other's sentiments are cared for.

As the world draws closer and a global village begins to emerge, there is a need to replace hatred and malice with love, affection and forbearance.

We must be kind, therefore, to our own selves and to our children and generations to come! And we must try to bring about an atmo- sphere of peace, love and respect, so we can pass on something beautiful and valuable to the next generations.

To ensure lasting peace, we must love God because without God there can be no peace. If all human beings live in the love of God, then it will be possible to achieve eternal and everlasting peace. It is my fervent prayer that we all find everlasting peace in this world and in the life to come.

The Times: Wednesday, 17th February 2010

http://www.timesofmalta.com.mt/articles/view/20100217/letters/the-urge-for-real-peace