After a fruitful journey online and offline, the KAICIID International Cohort 2023 is about to graduate in December in Lisbon, Portugal. Whilst waiting for the celebratory day, many of us shared snippets of our respective interreligious and/or intercultural projects, ranging from training and workshops to site visits and writing books. We congratulated one another for his/her successful journeys, knowing well that each was facing its sets of challenges. A global catastrophe is unfolding.
As we drew closer to the graduation in December, the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict is intensifying, a tragedy that is shaking the whole world. As a cohort of peace-builders, we expressed ourselves openly in our group what we felt about it:
A Muslim from Indonesia
It has been deeply confusing, heart-breaking, and feel-numbing 💔 May all beings find kindness in their heart to love and forgive themselves and each other
Me from Brunei
My nights have been restless thinking about this, especially for the children. The whole of Brunei did a mass prayer for the safety of the most vulnerable. I pray that the light of hope and truth shines at the end of this troubling event.
A Jew from Israel
May all those who believe in humanity and seek peace, will condemn the brutal and cruel massacre of innocent women, children, babies, elderly and men. From my immensely broken heart to yours.
A Muslim from Iraq
I feel sad and sorrowful, and I shed tears for a mother or father who has lost her son or daughter, or a child who has lost her/his parents, and I do not care from which side. What makes me shed tears, I see a person suffering from wars, WARS, wars give me the sense of being terrified and horrified, really it gives me panic. I know wars, I have lived through wars for more than 30 years and I know very well what war means. Let us raise our hands to the sky and ask God Almighty to let peace prevail all over the world and let us live in peace. Amin.
A Buddhist from Portugal
Dear fellows and friends, I believe that each one of us is touched not only by what is happening in the Middle East but also all around the world. I would like to invite each one of us to share a vow for world peace, the way you feel best in your heart/mind and spirit. I start by sharing:
May all those who are suffering, feel peace in their hearts, and may their pain be soothed. May we see the differences in each other and in ourselves as valuable and inseparable parts of the great humanity.
A Muslim from Iraq
Now, My Great Almighty, I appeal to you with tears in my eyes, come to help us come to our aid! We need spirits full of peace, Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage, let us brave to say: “Never again war!”; “With war, everything is lost”. Instil in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Enough, Enough, Enough Wars, My Almighty. The views of children’s dolls destroy my heart!!!
Some of us initiated an online support session to go through this catastrophic event.
As we move closer to the final trip to Lisbon for the graduation, an Israeli Jew expressed her great worry about the upcoming graduation:
Dear friends and colleagues,
I hope you are well.
I’ve been trying to write this text message for several weeks now and share with you what’s in my heart. It’s very difficult to find words but I will try.
Ever since October 7th, my world has been shattered to pieces and it will never be the same.
My heart is bleeding and I feel indescribable pain over my country, my people and all the deaths of innocent people.
At first, I thought that I would not join you in Portugal in order to protect my heart, but I am hopeful that the level of trust and partnership that we have built together over the last year, will allow each and every one of us to feel safe and protected with one another, even when the world around us feels completely unsafe.
It was important for me to share my heart with you before we all start our journeys. I am very much looking forward to meeting you and spending our third training and graduation together.
As a cohort of peace-builders, this posed a challenge for us. Here’s our reactions:
A Muslim from Iraq
I’m very happy that you joined us, these memories will be a treasure in our lives, we are leaders in our communities, so we have to do our best for better outcomes. Please Pray for PEACE all over the world.
A Christian from Italy
Thank you so much for your words, for sharing your heart, for your choice and for your trust in us. You are an example of faith and dialogue.
Me from Brunei
Yes please do come. As you said, we must start with us to build a world filled with love đź’—đź’—đź’— Hoping to see everyone soon!!!
A Muslim from Indonesia
Thanks so much for trusting us by telling us your situation. I truly hope that you (and everyone!) could be in Lisbon next week, to ‘share our precious slice of life’ with one another. Hopefully, our meeting, shared meals, laughter, and tears will enable us to find more ‘strength from within’.
A Buddhist from Portugal
I’m so glad that you may come, and may we create a safe space for your presence and the presence of all. So good to be together.Â
A Muslim from Albania
Thank you dear for your words! Dialogue is not easy, it is a challenge, but it’s the only chance for peace in the world. We need dialogue! We need each other. We need more love!
Our Jewish colleague continued with sharing the beautiful words of a young woman, Etty Hillesum, who was murdered in the Holocaust when she was only 29 years old. As she was imprisoned by the Nazis, she wrote words of hope in her journal. These words help through these dark times, maybe you will also find hope and comfort in her writings:
“I feel as if I were the guardian of a precious slice of life,
Etty Hillesum
with all the responsibility that entails.Â
I feel responsible for that great and beautiful feeling for life I carry within me,
and I must try to shepherd it safe and sound through these times, toward better ones.Â
That is all that really matters, and I am always conscious of it.Â
There are moments when I feel  like giving up or giving in,
but I soon rally again and do my duty as I see it:
to keep the spark of life inside me ablaze.”
Islam does not teach hatred, even towards one’s enemy. Rather, as the servant of the Most Compassionate, Muslims must show patience, courage and compassion when facing adversity, even if it is a global catastrophe.
