A year ago, James wrote an article on Green Prophet about a unique organization known as the Sulha Peace Project and its role in reconciliation among peoples of different religious faiths and cultures, which is what the word sulha or reconciliation in Arabic is supposed to be about.
The Sulha Peace Project was founded in the year 2000 in the aftermath of the beginning of the Second or Al Aqsa Intifada, with the hope to find some positive ways to bring people together, including those at variance with each other (Israelis and Palestinians, in particular) in order to acquire a better understanding of issues that separate people – and to help find solutions to achieve tolerance to live together as fellow human beings.
This led to the first Sulha gathering in the late fall of 2001, which occurred coincidentally during the time and period leading up to three important interfaith religious holidays: Ramadan, Hanukah, and Christmas. Their environmental message is strong:The GP article tied the humanitarian goals of the Sulha Peace Project with those of preserving and protecting the environment which included lectures and workshops on making and using bio fuels, ways in which Bedouin and similar peoples have practiced ecology in their daily life styles; and perhaps the most important aspect: how to rise up above human greed and “show love and care for everything else as we show love and care for ourselves” – i.e. the Golden Rule.
Environmental topics are interwoven into these gatherings, which also include shorter one day gatherings, such as the recent Encounter held on July 23rd between members of the Israeli Sulha Family and the Palestinian peace organization Al-Tariq (The Way) at Neve Shalom (Wahat al-Salaam in Arabic) which means Oasis of Peace .
But the most important environmental message that comes from NGO’s such as the Sulha Peace Project is to try to create a better human environment among peoples whose differences and religious teachings often conflict with being able to live together as one world family.
Although the main “environment” relates to problems faced by Jews and Arabs (particularly Jews and Muslims) in coexisting together, it also pertains to peoples of all religious faiths finding common grounds though dialogue and understanding of the various issues that often keep people apart from each other.
This year’s Sulha annual gathering will take place sometime in the fall (it was changed from the usual end summer venue for logistical reasons) and more information about it will be forthcoming on their website www.sulha.com .
Taking everything into account, it appears very clear that in order to deal with problems relating to the natural environment, we must first take care of those involving the environment of human relations. Perhaps this “environment” is in reality the most important one of all.
Author: Maurice Picow
Maurice Picow grew up in Oklahoma City, U.S.A., where he received a B.S. Degree in Business Administration. Following graduation, Maurice embarked on a career as a real estate broker before making the decision to move to Israel. After arriving in Israel, he came involved in the insurance agency business and later in the moving and international relocation fields. Maurice became interested in writing news and commentary articles in the late 1990’s, and now writes feature articles for the The Jerusalem Post as well as being a regular contributor to Green Prophet. He has also written a non-fiction study on Islam, a two volume adventure novel, and is completing a romance novel about a forbidden love affair. Writing topics of particular interest for Green Prophet are those dealing with global warming and climate change, as well as clean technology - particularly electric cars.
No Maurice, it is I that pity you. You will never deprogram these people. To think that you will, is the hight of conceit and psychological stupidity. But what the “Sulha Peace Project” does achieve, is the continued endangerment of the State of Israel because people like you lend political credibility to murderous imperial entities that deserve none.
No Maurice, it is I that pity you. You will never deprogram these people. To think that you will, is the hight of conceit and psychological stupidity. But what the “Sulha Peace Project” does achieve, is the continued endangerment of the State of Israel because people like you lend political credibility to murderous imperial entities that deserves none.
Hey Mika,
I don’t believe you get the point.
The Sulha Peace Project is a grass roots NGO that is trying to bring people of different faiths and cultures together – and not tear them apart. If you can’t accept this kind of philosophy, I really pity you.
Yes, the jihaddists are trying to increasde their influence in the world; but perhaps groups like the SPP will cause more moderate Muslims and other religious groups to do what they can to discourage the increase of radicalism – in all religions, not just Islam.
Karin,
The Islamonazi Empire with its designs for global territorial and political hegemony is a reality, and a very deadly reality at that. You’re not going to heal the planet by glossing over this reality. These things need to pointed out if they are to be corrected.
Israel is not Jihadistan. So can we please stop with Jihadistani propaganda? Want to live with the Jihadistanis, go to Saudia.
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Editor’s note: Mika: Green Prophet is a Middle East environment news site. We include stories from the entire region, and aim to dispel propaganda and stereotypes in an attempt to heal this fragile planet.
-Karin