麻豆社

Good morning.

Watching and listening to news reports, the optimism and hope in me is once again being challenged.

Contentious language from politicians, people arriving in this country and being kept in overcrowded conditions, tensions between communities, online spaces being used to spread messages of hate. It can feel overwhelming.

I just got back from my first ever visit to Israel and Palestine which had a profound impact on me. Aside from the controversial election, I was moved to tears many times visiting holy places, the depth and meaning was inspiring but also challenging.

The pull between religion and politics was palpable everywhere I went.
But I was also lucky to meet inspirational Israelis and Palestinians who have chosen NOT to perpetuate cycles of hatred, but to see humanity in those who they鈥檝e been taught to fear, to be in the messy, difficult but brave spaces.

In the Qur鈥檃n a verse which is often quoted, when we talk of bringing communities together, says 鈥淲e have made you into nations and tribes so you may know one another鈥�. But what does that word, 鈥渒now鈥� really mean, and how could it play out in our lives today?
It鈥檚 so often easier to stay in silos, to listen mainly to people who are like ourselves, shoring up our own beliefs, rather than being truly open to the views of others.

One of the people I met on my trip was an Israeli father whose 14 year old daughter was killed by a Palestinian suicide bomber. As he sat next to a Palestinian man with whom he鈥檚 developed a beautiful bond and friendship, he said 鈥渙ften we carry fear of what peace might look like鈥�. It was profound for me to hear it from him, in that moment.

Another speaker said 鈥� YOU don鈥檛 have to be wrong, for me to be right鈥�.

Meeting people who are very different from us can be hard, trying to absorb their opinions and perspectives, walking in their shoes, understanding what makes them tick, and yes 鈥� being willing to review our own beliefs. It鈥檚 an uncomfortable experience and can challenge us to the core. It can lead us to be defensive, and protest at what we feel we are losing. But I feel this is what the Qur鈥檃n means when it reminds us to 鈥榢now鈥� people.

Seeing the real peacemakers in action certainly keeps my hope alive. They鈥檙e an inspiration and they lead me to feel that there鈥檚 greater wisdom in really listening to others with curiosity, generosity and empathy.

Rather than just holding on with determination to my own convictions.

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