Together We Stand

[ 92 ] Images: The Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies The Marrakesh Declaration is the result of building partnerships and nurturing debate, understanding and cooperation between religious leaders and prominent interfaith activists were drawn together by Sheikh Abdallah, under the auspices of the Forum for Peace. Co-sponsored and hosted in Marrakech by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the forum drew together more than 250 schol- ars and ministers of religion from over 120 countries. Building partnerships and nurturing debate, understanding and cooperation between religious leadership of all faiths is at the heart of the work of the Forum for Peace, and the Marrakesh Declaration is the direct result of building such partnerships: the workshop sessions that preceded the final formation and written version of the Marrakesh Declaration guided partici- pants through developing a framework for action in the coming months. The document reflects the first time a Muslim scholar and leader has drawn together and called upon politicians, reli- gious leaders of all faiths, royalty and decision-makers to take the necessary political and legal steps to help fortify relations and establish citizen rights for religiously persecuted minorities and communities around the world. 3 We are in an age where the world’s communities as a whole, and Muslim communities in particular, are thirsty to be connected to and be certain of the clear message of peace from the Quran and example of the prophets, may peace and bless- ings be upon them all. Such a need has never been more critical. In an age of trusting the number of social media followers over learned scholars of the richly peaceful Islamic tradition, discon- nect between scholarly wisdom and the day-to-day lives of individuals globally, and of all age groups, seems unstoppable. The peace-seeking efforts described above are the most recent examples of steps the Forum for Peace is taking to bridge this disconnect and inspire communities with the peaceful message of religion that they need to move forward. The Forum for Peace is certainly on its way to applying the peaceful teachings and guidance of Islam to societies struck by chaos, under the respected leadership of Sheikh Abdallah and Sheikh Hamza. However, beyond these most esteemed schol- ars, it is imperative that judiciary systems and the media are involved and conscious in this effort to restore peace to conflict- ridden parts of the world. More than anything, a grass-roots effort to impact the most vulnerable of communities afflicted by violence and chaos — through no fault of their own— is essen- tial. Such individuals and communities are the ones humanity will have on its conscience if sincere efforts are not made to promote peace and denounce violence, and these must be led by the strongest voices in faith-based communities. It is a strange thing to be at once both poignant and hopeful: yet such are the feelings stirred when one realises that moments of harrowing world crisis are also moments of unprecedented world opportunity: opportunity to make sustainable, meaningful changes built upon peace. As things are destroyed, so comes the opportunity to rebuild more care- fully, with peace at the core rather than as an afterthought. One might complain that endless conferences and platforms for dialogue bring nothing but wasted time and empty prom- ises: to this, a spiritually-inclined response would argue that where the intention is lacking, such criticism is apt. We should ensure we use the dark violence of the past and present as a candle to illuminate humanity’s pathway to peace. Belief in the divine will of God propels every effort made by the Forum for Peace, and it has long been understood that forums are one of the foremost ways to nurture healthy dialogue. Conferences and workshops, when convened thoughtfully, provide men and women with the power to draw out and nurture existing and desired ideas and visions for peace. On this note, it seems fitting to consider the work of the Forum for Peace in light of the preamble for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) constitution: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.” T ogether W e S tand