Jewish, Christian and Islamic Peace

by S J Dickens in Religion, May 16, 2008

Jews, Christians and Muslims have a common ground for establishing peace – their common roots.

Judaism, Christianity and Islam are religions of peace. It is even striking to note that one of the colloquial Jewish greetings is Shalom or peace, Christians greet one another with “Pax te cum” (peace be with you) and interestingly it comes in Arabic language as “Assalamu Alaikum”- a Muslim greeting stated in the holy Qur”an itself. Aside from that, all three adhere to the common belief in monotheism – the Oneness of God. This common tenet is perpetually recited every day by their faithful during acts of worship. For one, the cornerstone of the Jewish faith expressed in the Hebrew Torah particularly in Deuteronomy says “Shemah Israel, Ad-nai El-henu, Ad-nai Echad!” (Hear oh Israel! The Lord is one, the Lord is God). The Christian belief which is enshrined in the Nicene Creed and also known as Simbolum Nicenum, exclaims “Credo in Unum Deum..” (I believe in only ONE God), and the Muslim Shahada or confession of faith declares “La illaha illalah” (There is no God but Allah). But sad to say, these meaningful areas of unity are overlooked and replaced with hatred and suspicion. The very roots which bind the three together as belonging to one family of faith are being cut by their common odium against one another.

Perhaps it is now the right time for every Jew, Christian and Muslim to retrace their common origins. So that the wounds of apathy among themselves be healed by common dialogue, understanding and respect. There is no way that the three different faiths can be the same but there are so many ways in which their beliefs can manifest similarities. On these lies the unimpossible hope that that the unfathomable gap among these sister religions can be bridged and sealed for good. At least on these, let mutual understanding be built so that true peace will be given a change to reign. For the love of the Only One God that we worship, for the sake of the world long torn by conflicts and senseless bloodshed, for the future of our posterities, and in solidarity with all other religions, let there be peace.