Peace on earth an unlikely prospect this holiday season

FRIDAY, DEC. 7: As we enter into the festive season let us stop to remember the peace that this season is supposed to bring.

Let us not get caught up in the sales and trinkets of the season. We must remember that unrest anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere, even in our small little island of Bermuda.

As we go about our daily lives, doing our routines and happy in our own mud — let us pause and remember that all is not well.

Syria, Iran, and the  Israel-Palestinian conflict makes one believe that we are headed for another world war.

Some may say that only the above countries are in conflict and how can their unrest lead to a world war? 

I quote from the words of Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifah Masih V, Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community: “The current circumstances of the world indicate that a world war will not be fought between only two countries, rather blocs come into formation.

Serious threat

“The threat of a world war breaking out is a very serious one. The life of Muslims, Christians and Jews are all at peril from it.

“If such a war occurs, it will result in a chain reaction of human destruction. The effects of this catastrophe will be felt by future generations, who will either be born disabled, or crippled. This is because undoubtedly, such a war will involve atomic warfare.”   

Yes indeed, it will be a war of horrific consequences — a war where there will be no winners — a global catastrophe will surely be the result.

All the Abrahimic religious promote peace — in Deuteronomy 25: 13-16:  Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small. But, thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure: that thy days be lengthened in the land which the Lord they God giveth thee. For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.’

Throughout the Noble Quran peace is mentioned, “Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors (2:190).”

Our dearly beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuH) was peace in motion and a major part of the Prophet’s mission was to bring peace to the world. All his recorded words and actions reveal him as a man of great gentleness, kindness, humility, good humour and excellent common sense, with a great love for all people and even for animals.

So as we enter what should be defined as the peaceful season and as we embark on elections — let all leaders and persons in position to influence others resonate peace and justice, by doing so in the words of Mirza Masroor Ahmad:  “You will remain in peace with yourselves, you will gain strength and world peace will also be established.”

I pray for world peace, but charity begins at home and I pray that our people and especially our leaders will recognize their status and fulfil their responsibilities of peace and social justice. Let Peace begin with you. Ameen.