Amidst a world tinged with turmoil, challenges, divisions and pursuit of interests, peace has become a dream chased by the earth inhabitants. Wherever man goes around the world, he finds conflicts taken several forms: wars that have spread in many places, destructive terrorism acts, clashes in order to obtain power, authority or wealth. This is in addition to the pandemics attacking humankind, as well as the daily pressures which man resist in order to survive. Therefore, it became inevitable for mankind to declare their dire need of peace in order to overcome their daily tensions. Peace is a true victory for man- as the American Philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “The true permanent victories are those of peace, not of war.” By speaking about war, we refer to wars and all the conflicts related.
Since man’s role on earth is to erect it, to take step towards construction, and to work for the good and progress of humanity and consolidating the foundations of civilization, therefore, the question is: How could man achieve all of that amidst the turbulent waves of the world, in the absence of peace?! We all know that growth, progress, and construction can be achieved only by calm, stable souls. Yes, the world today is in need of the gift of peace, which is the basis for work, construction and creativity. He who has experienced the ravages of war fully grasps the importance of peace. And whoever is deeply engulfed by waves of unrest and worries, realizes the urgent need for peace. It is said: “Humanity will not realize the value of peace unless it misses it. It wanders striving for it, and when it finds peace, then it will have realized the meaning of life.”
Throughout history, peace has proven to be the first spark which releases the innovative energies of people and the fuel of life to attain achievements and consolidate civilizations, while its absence results only in conflicts which waste away man’s potentials, quarrels, wars, destruction and death. People’s pursuit of peace is an imperative duty, as we are all bound together by fraternity and humanity: We are all children of “Adam” and “Eve”, and God created us all from one source so that all are brothers in humanity.
From this standpoint, peace has a special value in religions: In Christianity, God is the peacemaker: “Dominion and fear belong to Him; He makes peace in His high places…” Peace is the covenant between God and man: “Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace…” Peace is God’s blessing to His people: “The Lord will bless His people with peace.”, “I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints…”, Peace is associated with life: “My covenant was with him, one of life and peace,and I gave them to him that he might fear Me.” Also, the phrases, “The Lord of peace, the King of peace” are reiterated in many contexts.
In Islam, peace is one of Allah’s names: “The King, the Most Holy, the Peace”, peace is associated with the paradise and its people: “They will call out to the residents of Paradise, “Peace be upon you!”, “saying to them, “Peace be upon you! Enter Paradise for what you used to do.” Peace is the method of dealing with others: “O believers! Do not enter any house other than your own until you have asked for permission and greeted its occupants. This is best for you, so perhaps you will be mindful.”
Peace is the way of greeting too: “And when you are greeted, respond with a better greeting or at least similarly. Surely Allah is a vigilant Reckoner of all things.” In Hadith, we read about peace: “Three things, whoever could gather them will have gathered faith: To do justice to yourself, to give peace to the world, and to spend despite shortage.”
Thus, peace has been a firm value in the religion teachings and commandments made to man. And… stories in beautiful Egypt never end!
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
