Each day, over 4.2 billion Muslims, Jews, and Christians around the world greet one another with words of peace—As-Salaam Alaikum, Shalom, Peace.
These are more than just greetings; they are powerful words that reverberate in times of crisis and conflict. Across sacred texts, key principles of faith serve as essential ingredients in the pursuit of peace. One of these fundamental principles is a leadership led by God. When leaders act based on self-interest alone, they risk falling into division, corruption, and discord. In contrast, leadership rooted in divine wisdom fosters reconciliation, unity, and long-term stability.
The world is undergoing a profound transformation.
Governments, ideologies, and long-standing structures are being shaken. What remains must be rooted in faith. Now, more than ever, the world cries out not just for leaders but for voices—voices that, like Jesus in the wilderness, carry the mantle of peace with conviction and purpose. Throughout the recent Doha conference, “From Religious Freedom to Religious Responsibility” hosted by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) and the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network (MFNN), I heard recurring themes that affirm our shared humanity: the power of faith to guide peace, the impact of a praying grandmother, the significance of hope that is delayed but not denied, the necessity of engaging both men and women in peacemaking, the urgency of involving the next generation, and the importance of avoiding judgment based on religious differences. These themes remind us that faith, when embraced fully, has the power to heal, restore, and unite.
Hebrews 11 tells us that faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Throughout history, faith has produced miracles, transformed societies, and provided redemption. It is this faith—whether in Judaism, Christianity, or Islam—that is at the heart of peacemaking. Yet, we must remember that the power of faith does not come from us but from God and that power is embodied in the Holy Spirit. In Judaism, it is G_d’s Spirit hovering over the waters at the beginning of creation. In Islam, it is the Rūḥ al-Qudus (Holy Spirit), revered as the faithful messenger of God. In Christianity, the Holy Spirit is our comforter, the one who convicts of sin and leads us into all truth. Across traditions, spiritual faith is a force that moves people and nations.
Faith leaders have a responsibility to apply their faith to action.
Through my studies, I have identified eight principles that can serve as a foundation for peacemaking:
- Recount and retell stories that shape our understanding
- Remember the divine presence and humanity in each other
- Reveal historical and spiritual truth
- Repent and embrace redemption
- Recover and restore what is broken
- Resolve to take meaningful action
- Repatriate and ensure rightful restoration
- and finally, reconcile and repeat the process.
These principles require faith leaders to embrace a spiritual renaissance, recognizing that their words, prayers, and actions hold the power to shape generations to come.
But faith without action is meaningless.
Two examples illustrate this principle in practice. In South Los Angeles, a faith-based initiative called CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) applied the “theology of the hammer and the shovel” as leaders across faiths collaborated to serve gang-infested communities in crisis. Meanwhile, in Azerbaijan, government and faith leaders continue to convene for peace after years of war, proving that dialogue remains possible even under the most challenging circumstances. These stories remind us that peacemaking requires both spiritual conviction and tangible efforts.
True peacemaking also demands humility and surrender.
Jesus exemplified this in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, Father, but Your will be done.” The Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, in his first revelation when the angel Gabriel came to him and said God had chosen him as a messenger. The prophet, PBUH, said I cannot read but in Qur’an, Sura Al-Alaq it was clear that he submitted to God’s will. Likewise, Father Abraham left behind his home in obedience to God, ultimately becoming a father of many nations. Each let go of personal, human concern or ambition to fulfill a higher purpose, demonstrating that faith leaders must be willing to relinquish control and trust in God’s plan.
As we look to the future, we must ensure that our efforts toward peace are sustainable. Our work should not be reactive but submitted to God and rooted in lasting principles. This charge reminds us that peace is not merely an ideal but a responsibility.
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I conclude with this charge: For those in the halls of policy and power, legislate in such a way that a spirit of peace will prevail in every action that you deliberate and decide.
For those in the field, practice peace in everything you do. Live, move and have your being in a spirit of peace so that others will see your peace and emulate the spirit that is upon you.
For those with a prophetic voice: use your voice as an activator for positive change to speak out in the war-weary wilderness of our world today … listen! Do you hear them crying out? By the Spirit, at any given moment, death in life may be in the power of your tongue.
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May the peace of God be upon us all. As-Salaam Alaikum. Shalom. Peace.
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