A key to peace: global unity (III)

(This is a continuation of the previous instalment: "A Key to Peace: Global Unity (II)". 

Another of Islam's principles for the development of peace states that we should not tolerate injustice to others, nor should we tolerate the usurpation of their rights. Just as we would not accept others making decisions for us, we should not expect it of others. Islam teaches that when punishment is necessary, it should be proportionate to the act of transgression. However, if forgiveness can lead to reform, then forgiveness must be given. The true and overarching goals must always be reform, reconciliation and the development of lasting peace. But what actually happens today? When someone commits a grievance or injustice, the victim seeks revenge in a completely disproportionate way, far greater than the original injustice committed.

This is exactly what we are witnessing these days in the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The major powers have openly expressed their outrage and concern about the situation in Syria, Libya or Egypt, even though it could be argued that this is essentially their internal affairs. However, they do not seem to be concerned about the fate of the Palestinian people. This double standard is the cause of increasing feelings of grievance and malice in the hearts of people in Muslim countries against the great powers of the world. This anger and animosity is extremely dangerous and could boil over and explode at any moment. With what result? How much damage would it do to the developing world? Would its survival be compromised? To what extent would the developed countries be affected? Only God knows the answer to these questions. I cannot answer them, nor can anyone else. What we can be sure of is that it would destroy world peace.

I want to make it clear that I am not speaking in support of or in favour of any particular country. All I am saying is that all forms of cruelty, wherever they exist, must be eradicated and suppressed, regardless of whether they are perpetrated by the people of Palestine, the people of Israel or the people of any other country. The cruelties must stop because, if we allow them to spread, the flames of hatred will engulf the whole world, to the point where people will soon forget the problems caused by the current economic crisis and face a much more serious and terrifying situation. There will be a loss of life so great that it is beyond imagination.

It is therefore the duty of the European countries, which already suffered great losses during the Second World War, to learn from their past and save the world from destruction. They must meet the demands of justice and be ready to accept their responsibilities. Islam places special emphasis on the need to always act justly and fairly. It teaches that no party should receive preferential treatment, nor should they be unduly favoured. Every wrongdoer should know that if he tries to act unjustly against any country, regardless of its size or status, the international community will not allow him to do so. If the member states of the United Nations, the countries that benefit from the European Union, the countries that are under the influence of the great powers, and even the developing countries would accept this, then and only then could peace emerge.

Moreover, justice can only be truly established when nations with veto rights in the United Nations are aware that they will be held accountable for their actions. In fact, I will go one step further, to state that the right of veto does not allow or facilitate the development of peace, as it clearly does not put all countries on the same level. This is a point I also made earlier this year when I addressed US policy makers and leaders on Capitol Hill. If we look at the voting record of the United Nations, we see that the veto power has not always been used to help those who were oppressed or those who acted rightly. On the contrary, we have witnessed how, on certain occasions, the veto power has been abused to aid and abet cruelty, rather than prevent it. This is neither hidden nor unknown; there are many commentators who have written or spoken openly on this subject.

Another beautiful principle that Islam teaches is that the peace of society demands that we restrain our anger, and not allow it to prevail over the principles of honesty and justice. The history of early Islam testifies that true Muslims always acted on this principle, and those who did not were severely rebuked by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (lpbD). However, today, unfortunately, this is not always the case. There are situations where armies, or soldiers sent to establish peace, behave in ways that are totally contrary to their stated objectives. For example, in some countries foreign soldiers have desecrated the corpses of their victims in the most horrible and disrespectful manner.

Can peace be established under such conditions? The reaction to such behaviour is not limited to the country concerned, but manifests itself throughout the world. Of course, if it is Muslims who are mistreated, the extremists immediately take advantage of the situation, even though their responses are contrary to the teachings of Islam; thus the peace of the world is broken. Islam teaches that peace can only be established through the help that must be offered to both the oppressed and the oppressors, in a completely impartial manner, free from vested interests and devoid of enmity. Peace is built by providing all parties with a fair platform of equality of conditions.

Due to time constraints, I will only mention one more point: Islam teaches that the wealth and resources of others should not be looked upon with greed. We should not envy that which belongs to others, for this is also a way of spoiling peace. If rich countries extract and use the wealth and resources of less developed nations to satisfy their own needs, then, naturally, alarm will spread. Where appropriate, developed countries should take only a small and fair share in return for their services, allowing most of those resources to be used to help developing countries raise their standard of living. They must be allowed to prosper and be helped in their efforts to reach the same standards as the developed world. Then, and only then, can peace be established. If the leaders of these developing countries are not honest, then the Western nations, or the developed nations, must act as overseers, and organise the development of such countries, providing them with the necessary assistance. 

There are many other aspects that could be dealt with but I have not been able to due to lack of time, so I have limited myself to those I have already mentioned. Indeed, all that I have explained to you represents the true teachings of Islam.

There is a question that may perhaps arise in your hearts and, for this very reason, let me address it in advance. You may ask that if these are the true teachings of Islam, why, then, do we see so much division and disorder in the Muslim world? I have already answered this question above, by mentioning the need for the advent of a Reformer, as we believe that this person was the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Community of Islam (lpD). We, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at (Ahmadiyya Muslim Community), always try to convey these true teachings to as wide an audience as possible. 

I would like to ask all of you to also make efforts to raise awareness within your own circles of influence on these issues, so that lasting peace can develop in all areas of the world.

If we fail in this task, then no part of the world will remain safe from the terrible destructive effects of war. I pray Al'lah Almighty to grant the peoples of the world the ability to rise above their personal interests and desires in the effort to save the world from the impending destruction that is coming. The developed nations of the West have the most power in the world today, and it is their duty, above all else, to give immediate attention to these crucial issues. 

In conclusion, I would like to thank you all once again for coming here today and listening to what I have said. God bless you! 

Thank you very much. 

(lpbD) - God's peace and blessings be upon him. 

(lpd) - peace be upon him.