Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi speech during Interfaith Summit Feb 4- 2020 Seoul- South Korea
Over 5000 religious and political leaders and peace activist from around the globe!
H.E. Ban Ki-moon, former UNSecretery -General and Bishop Munib Younan of Lutheran Church from the Holy Land were among the Summit Award Recipients!
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم، سلام عليكم
Let’s start with a silent prayer for the victims of the coronavirus everywhere in the world and expression of solidarity with the various suffering cities in China!
Please remember that Mr. Ross , the US Commerce Secretery didn’t speak for all Americans when he said the coronavirus creates more jobs in America; he was adding insult to injury.
It’s an honor to be part of this 2020 summit of world religions in Seoul!
My first journey to America marked my first participation in AWR (Assembly of World Religions) then from Tehran to Istanbul to Frankfurt to San Francisco !
Over 500 world distinguished leaders and interfaith activists met from August 15-21 1990 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Today when I saw Dr Tom Walsh speaking , I remember him from 30 years ago! Later I met with Dr. Rev. Jenkins , Bishop Stalin and other shining stars in this spiritual galaxy of grace and friendship!
30 years later, today, over 5000 guests in Seoul summit are meeting to share their wisdom to discuss the vision of global peace in a world filled with various threats, such as nuclear weapons , climate crisis , health concerns and cyber attacks.
As I observe this Seoul summit, I see the same vision and diversity I saw 30 years ago in the San Francisco summit!
When I listened to Rev. Moon, the founder of UPF ( Universal Peace Federation) in that world conference, speaking about the philosophy of creation and asking why did God create us?
I remember he said, it was not for the purpose of money or power, but love!
Divine love, family love and love of neighbors!
During that summit there was a time that I was waking with late, Dr Ahmad Kuftaro then the mofti of Syria, that I told him what Imam Jafar al-Sadeq said about love!
Is religion anything but love?
هل الدين الا الحب؟
Really, what is faith without love, sacrifice, compassion, hope, humbleness, prayer and charity?
In my way to San Francisco then, I was reflecting on the intention of my hosts!
Why did they invite me, covering my trip expenses from A to Z and bringing me to this amazing assembly?
By the way
That trip was like a miracle. Years later, I realized it was meant by my Lord and I was on a mission without knowing it!
I was thinking if they wanted to convert me? Imposing a political agenda?
Debating , arguing, judging or blaming my spiritual belief system?
No, no !
The purpose was for us to get together talking to each other and to see how together we can make a better world, a world of peace!’
Wow, how can we honor one of the best names of Allah, Peace!
Recognizing the international ISLAMIC Salutation of Salaam!
How to bring peace in a world suffering from war, violence, crime, corruption, confusion, pain, poverty, extremism, terrorism, intolerance, misunderstanding, misconception, deception, dishonesty?
The first step is dialogue!
People of wisdom and dignity from all over the world meet to share ideas for world peace!
Off course dialogue is one of the main messages of the Quran!
1- تعالوا
O people of faith join us for a journey of interfaith to recognize the central truth in this universe!
2- لتعارفوا
Through this dialogue we start knowing one another
3-بالتي هي احسن
Do this conversation with maximum beauty, courtesy, respect and wisdom,
4- تعاونوا
The goal is to cooperate for what is good for humanity
5- فاستبقوا الخيرات
It’s about competition for compassion, and acts of kindness!’
6- أصلحوا
It’s about making reconciliation, forgiveness , friendship and being one family of humanity!
It’s about protection of places of prayer.
It’s about building bridges of brotherhood, understanding, good relationships for the sake of peaceful coexistence!
What are the obstacles of peace that must be rejected?
Rejection of oppression, discrimination, racism, greed, ignorance, ego and arrogance! These are poisonous for peace!
At the same time we must adopt a language of love, respect, tolerance, patience, modesty and humility!
Last but not least, in order to bring a peaceful coexistence, we must stand for justice, justice in our expressions, actions, judgements, even if justice hurts ourselves and helps our enemies!
If there was such a dialogue , human history didn’t suffer from 200 years of bloody and brutal Crusaders wars in the Holy Land, neither from WW1 and 2,
then Vietnam war, Iraq’s war, Afghanestan war , Yemen, Syria and Israeli- Palestinian 70 years of conflict!
I hope our leaders learn from those deadly and destructive wars, stop warmongering and choose the blessing of being ambassadors of peace, ambassadors of justice,
We cannot establish true peace if we fail to establish justice!
Remember the words of the late, MLK:
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere:
He said “ We must learn to live together as brothers, or we are going to perish together as fools”
Thank you for your patience, respect and encouragement!