A new kind of middle east peace initiative by the Inter-religious and International peace council (IIPC)

IIFWP formally launched its Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI) with an international consultation held on February 27-March 2, 2003, in Washington, DC, called, Beyond Coexistence Toward a New Culture of Peace: Focus on the Middle East. That and subsequent consultations have been designed to offer a broad approach to the challenges facing the Middle East with a focus on bringing religious leaders to the table along with political, academic and activist experts. The issues range from deeply detailed reflections on Israel and Palestine to broader, theoretical reflections on the clash of, or dialogue among, civilizations.

 We seek to create a balance between realistic and idealistic approaches, neither naive nor afraid to dream. Peace is envisioned not as a fragile absence of war, but as a harmonious human family, with respect and loving relationships among all its members. Furthermore, we recognize that the current brutal realities that exist can be resolved through serious, methodical application of key universal principles of human reconciliation and restoration grounded in a profound understanding of the root causes of conflict and violence.

 IIPC’s parent organization, the IIFWP, has already made significant strides. Its conferences have brought together leading Israeli and Palestinian religious and political leaders for dialogues, culminating with warm, if cautious, embraces and joyous expressions of their earnest hopes for peace. In 2003 it sponsored rallies and peace marches in Jerusalem, including two unprecedented peace walks by upwards of 400 Jews, Christians and Muslims who prayed together at the city’s holy sites—from the Western Wall sacred to Jews to the Al Aqsa’ Mosque on the Temple Mount that is sacred to Muslims.

 The IIPC’s affiliated organization, the American Clergy Leadership Conference, the largest interfaith clergy organization in America, spearheaded these early efforts, bringing large groups of Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy to the Middle East despite the personal challenges and dangerous environment they faced. They expressed love and support for both Jews and Muslims and a commitment to the cause of peace. They walked the streets of Jerusalem and Gaza. Many of these clergy are veterans of the American civil rights movement and carry with them the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Their dedication, activism and perspectives on peacemaking have been instructive to both sides.

 IIPC features an extensive presence in the Muslim world, including the support of former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid and encourages developing the movement for lasting peace among the Palestinian people. The ACLC’s donation of computers to a school in Gaza led to expressions of support from Chairman Arafat.

 On this foundation, the IIPC is using all its resources for a major peace effort in the Middle East, which will include nationwide rallies for peace in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Gaza. It is hoped that these events will be the catalyst for a major new endeavor to bring peace to the troubled region. These efforts can further encourage other civil society initiatives such as the Geneva Accord and the new US “National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East” that is encouraging the White House to make “more active and determined” efforts for peace in the Middle East.

As an non-profit organization with limited resources, IIFWP has nonetheless committed itself totally to seek peace in the Middle East. Just in 2003 alone, 16 projects were conducted with a focus on peace and reconciliation within the family of Abraham.

Peace in the Middle East

Uniquely, the Interreligious and International Peace Council includes in its peace initiatives, projects and programs with a religious and reconciliatory dimension along with economic, political and social considerations. Additionally, these interventions assume that successful conflict resolution and prevention ultimately depends upon the actions of each and every person. While the scope of influence of an individual will vary according to their particular sphere of influence, durable peace will require sound education for the ways and means of peace for all people.

IIPC’s approach to this global crisis is innovative. Perhaps what speaks loudest about this approach is that in September of this year the Al Aqsa’ Mosque hosted the first international and interreligious gathering since the second intifiada of October 2001. Supporting this breakthrough, IIPC initiatives have repeatedly gathered together people from the three Abrahamic faiths. Jews, Christians and Muslims have reconciled their past histories of enmity and recommitted to one another with a new vision of peace for the Middle East.

Peace-building has not been approached from this angle in any substantial way before. IIPC initiated a unique process that starts from the most “internal” points of convergence—from the most profound and critical convictions that Jehovah/God/Allah is the one Origin and Source of all, and whose Will is for peace and prosperity, not for violence, poverty or hatred. This becomes the core and starting point for the peace process.

Guiding Principles

We believe that:

True and long-lasting solutions must integrate the spiritual and physical dimensions of human life.

An Original Cause created this physical, relational, ordered, harmonious world, which is imbued with value and meaning and is rooted in and expressed, above all, through love.

Love means living for the sake of others. The family is the school of love, where spouses, parents, children, and siblings learn all forms of ideal love, which can be extended throughout society and forms the basis for our public and private lives.

Evil is not eternal or inevitable but, rather, is a tragic condition that can be overturned and transformed through human effort.

Solutions to problems must involve all parts of life, including morality, the family, society, politics, culture, the workplace, the economy, and religious and spiritual life.

Further, IIPC recognizes that without a significant change of heart on behalf of people on both sides, the actions of building peace will, in time, amount to little more than another failed endeavor. In fact, IIPC maintains that an indispensable element of this peace effort must begin with the transformation of the human heart. This internal revolution, fueled by the commonness of God, builds family bonds among the sons of Abraham, thereby bringing significant changes in attitudes, allowing each to expand the capacity of his or her own heart to respond and work towards the innate universal desire for peace. The depth of heart of these encounters brings tears to the eyes of the members of Abraham’s family as they rediscover their common heritage.

Pursuing such solutions is not simple. However, terror and violence will remain if the historical-religious divisions are not resolved at such deeply human levels. Politics alone cannot effect such change. These efforts will require a special kind of leadership—by those with the courage and vision to lead people relentlessly toward peace, undeterred by the violence and depravity that calls for revenge.

The IIPC efforts are beginning to see a degree of success and change in communities in the region and beyond. This intervention calls upon and draws out “contributions” from people in both Israel and Palestine and from shores far a-field. By forging partnerships for peace on a person-to-person, family-to-family, religious leader-to-religious leader level, the core of a community beyond boarders and barriers is formed. The contributions being made cannot be measured in terms of dollars or documents…but their effect is being felt. These fragile beginnings are taking root and are in great need of being nourished and supported.