Let’s Make Peace
If you asked me what I wanted most in the world, I could honestly sit here and tell you, just like all those Miss World contestants (I am obviously as good-looking as they are!), that I want…. world peace.
Having spent the last two weeks in Caux, a little town in the mountains of Switzerland (with a view of Lake Geneva to die for!), at a conference entitled ‘How to Become a Peacemaker’ I feel that I’ve taken on that rather hippy attitude of love and peace for all mankind. Now I can’t promise this mindset will remain but I promise you if you experience it even for a day in your life you will see what a liberating feeling it is! I no longer harbour hatred for anyone or anything and frankly I never want to again. My anger is often short lived after drawing to the conclusion that the negative impact of my rage is mostly felt by myself. Of course I disagree with things people around me and also on the news do, but responding to it with anger and frustration does not resolve anything.
Our conference was about becoming a peacemaker, about making peace in the world around us, about dealing with racism, xenophobia, islamophobia and all the other problems we face in our lives, yet I learnt that if I want to start repairing society’s wrongs, I must first begin by looking at myself. Questions such as: How do I react when confronted with such hatred? Do I return it with hatred of my own? Is my response more dignified than the aggressors? And so on…
With the stunning view of the lake and the serene surroundings away from some of the usual distractions like the television, I found myself with more time to reflect and it helped me think about things that I never took the time out to ponder, and it led to an inner peace that I never knew was possible. It goes without saying that I want to see peace in Somalia, Palestine, Afghanistan (and the list could go on) but how can I fight for their peace when I myself am not at peace?
I would like to share with you one quick story which may help solidify some of the things I have learnt in Caux… On the day of my arrival, it was late at night and I was extremely exhausted. Whilst walking in the corridor leading to my room, a stranger walked past me, smiled and said ‘hello’. Now maybe some of you are used to this hospitality, but sadly I am from London. Let me tell you the unofficial rules of the London Underground.
1. You MUST NOT under any circumstances make eye-contact with anyone you don’t know.
2. You MUST NOT under any circumstances talk to anyone you don’t know
3. You MUST NOT make any noise whatsoever on London public transport, unless you are on the phone, in which case you must talk as loud as you can so that everyone can hear what you are saying.
I was taken aback by the stranger’s hospitality, yet 2 days later I found myself in the very same corridor, walking past another complete stranger, and almost instinctively I smiled and said ‘hi’. This time I was the one greeting the stranger and I then found myself greeting everyone there. I felt that despite the fact that I didn’t know them, we have something deeper, a bond that has been created by what people there like to call ‘the Spirit of Caux’. This is not something you can explain, but I know you can definitely experience it. I don’t know whether it was the beauty of my surroundings, the people I had met or the experiences I had, but in just a matter of days something had changed inside me.
I must admit though it was easy to have inner peace there, and have that feeling that you are ready to tackle the world’s problems, but the real test truly begins when we are greeted with racism, xenophobia and islamophobia back home. Will I still hold on to that inner peace that I felt? That is the real question….
I would like to conclude with 2 words taught to us by the The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he said ‘Oofshoos Salaam’ which means ‘Spread Peace’.
This is very inspiring and a very thoughtful and insighting article. You have raised many points here that really can make one think and really look into their own life and look at the things that may cause someone anger and discontemptness out of the smallest things that are not even worth getting worked up over. It also makes one realise that when people confrnt u about things you do not like to hear you are quick to judge and become unable to deal with what seems to be hatred when really is just for your best.as the prophet says before you judge whhat someones does or their actions think about 40 reasons before u come to a judgement.if we all take heed in this advice then maybe we may become one step closer to having inner peace within ourselves and we will also be able to accept the ways of others and not be so quick to judge their actions,without thinking of 40 reasons as to why they are like that.
Thought provoking article, however I think you hit the nail on the head when you discuss the issue of surroundings. I think that a lot of the time we don’t realise how important a role this plays in our own attitudes. For example when the sun is shining in London Town peoples attitude is visibly different and they appear happier and more jovial, however when the weather is miserable and damp our mood follows suit. Unfortunately, we have not been granted the power to change the weather but we have been granted every possible power to change ourselves.
Salaam
Dear Brian, my fellow Peacemaker,
It is true, it’s a difficult task to describe and make sense of
‘the Spirit of Caux’ to those who have not been to this ‘magical kingdom’ on the Swiss mountains.
How do you find yourself now strolling down the streets of London?
Are you ‘ofshoos-ing salaam’ by smiling at the people you encounter in the Underground?
SLM
I once had a game of charades with a group of complete strangers on the London Underground. It was beautiful.
Salim, you live in a very covered world. People will never change. We are no better than the devils that walk the earth, except for the chosen servants of God.
An neither shall you?
“Phambili Oofshoos Salaam Phambili…!!!!” this simply means ( in Zulu language in South Africa) ” Forward with Spreading Peace Forward” I am sorry but I ought to differ with or won’t agree with Joe Black on “people won’t and/or can’t change…!!!” Nobody needs to JUSTIFY to anybody in this World about their personal change and/or belief… I believe that, as a Christian with respect to other religions, I can only Justify to the Almighty and He knows my Inner Being…
So, in brief, I am greatful to God that, at the Mountain House, Caux, I have met young people like Salim who wants to make a difference in the World and like myself who commits in Making Peace and Spreading Peace from our respective communities, countries and eventually spread it around the world.
“OOFSHOOS SALAAM”