Middle East Peace Initiative

Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church

This document outlines principles of peacebuilding according to the Universal Peace Federation. It discusses four main principles: 1) There is one God and all humans are essentially spiritual beings created by God, 2) Humans should live for the sake of others, 3) Interreligious and international cooperation are essential for lasting peace, 4) Human relationships should uphold the highest standards of justice, kindness and humility. The document provides photos of interfaith dialogues and peacebuilding activities between Jews, Christians and Muslims in Jerusalem and other areas aimed at promoting reconciliation and cooperation between different religious groups.

Middle East
Peace Initiative
Principles of peacebuilding
Universal Peace Federation
www.upf.org

Principles of Peacebuilding
 There is one God, who is the Creator and
Parent of all humankind.
 Human beings are essentially spiritual in their
nature.
 The highest standard in human relationships is
to live for the sake of others.
 Interreligious and international cooperation are
essential to building genuine and lasting
peace.

There is
one God,
who is the
Creator and
Parent of all
humankind.
Have we not all one father?
Has not one God created us?
- Malachi 2:10
Our Father, who art in
heaven, hallowed be Thy
name. - Matthew 6:9
All [human] creatures are
God’s children, and those
dearest to God are those
who treat His children
kindly. - Hadith of Baihaqi

Connecting with the root of peace
At the Western Wall in Jerusalem,
a remnant of the wall of the ancient Temple grounds

Connecting with the root of peace
At the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem,
where Jesus prayed before his crucifixion

Connecting with the root of peace
Al Aqsa Plaza in Jerusalem, where Mohammed
ascended to heaven on a night journey

Interreligious dialogue
Round-table discussions

Human
beings are
essentially
spiritual in
their
nature.
Then the Lord God formed
man out of the dust of the
ground, and breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life;
and man became a living being.
- Genesis 2:7
It is the spirit that gives life.
- John 6:63
And He originated the
creation of man out of clay,
then He fashioned his
progeny of an extraction of
mean water, then He shaped
him, and breathed His spirit in
him. - Qur’an 32:8-9

Sharing faith traditions
A traditional Jewish welcome of bread and wine to Jerusalem

Sharing faith traditions
A Gospel reading inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,
Jerusalem

Sharing faith traditions
Peace rally at the gate of the Old City of
Jerusalem includes prayers of many faiths.

“When the high-level Ambassadors for Peace
continue to come from all faiths and nations
it gives us strength to overcome all barriers.”
- Sheikh Aziz Bukhari, Naqshabandian Sufi Method, Jerusalem
“You are part of a great vision to implement
peace.”
- Dr. Eliezer Glaubach, former Jerusalem city councilman
“We were all created by the same God. We
must learn how to respect each other.”
- Rt. Rev. Riah Abu El-Assal, former Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem

The highest
standard in
human
relationships
is to live for
the sake of
others.
He has showed you, O man,
what is good; and what does
the LORD require of you but
to do justice, and to love
kindness, and to walk humbly
with your God? - Micah 6:8
Let no one seek his own
good, but the good of his
neighbor. - Corinthians 10.24
The best of men are those
who are useful to others.
- Hadith of Bukhari

In Jerusalem
Building bonds among faith leaders

Building bonds among faith leaders
In Gaza
In the Galilee

Building bonds among women
Sisterhood ceremonies in
Jerusalem

Building bonds among youth
An Arab youth tutors a
Jewish student.
Winning team members
salute the losing team in a
“Play Soccer Make Peace”
match between Jewish and
Arab youth.

The heart of reconciliation
A 9/11 memorial service at Jerusalem’s Independence Park

The heart of reconciliation
A wreath at Yad Vashem on Holocaust Remembrance Day

The heart of reconciliation
Jews and Arabs from the Parents’ Circle, who lost family
members in violent attacks, describe their work of reconciliation.

“Without true reconciliation we will
not have true peace, not in our families
or in our nation or region.”
- Baruch Shalev, Jerusalem
“All religions call for peace, quality
and respect for each other, without
destroying lives. We invite others to
join us to ensure that the children of
the future will enjoy peace.”
- Kamel Thabet, Gaza

Interreligious
and
international
cooperation
are essential
to building
genuine and
lasting
peace.
They shall beat their swords
into ploughshares, and their
spears into pruning hooks.
- Isaiah 2.2-4
If possible, so far as it
depends upon you, live
peaceably with all….Do not
be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good.
- Romans 12.18,21
O mankind! We created you
from a single pair of a male
and a female and made you
into nations and tribes, that
you might know each other
[not that you might despise
each other]. - Qur’an 49.13

Promoting interreligious
cooperation
Interreligious peace march in Jerusalem

Promoting interreligious
cooperation
Briefings at the Israeli Knesset

Promoting interreligious
cooperation
Briefings
with
Palestinian
officials in
Ramallah
in East
Jerusalem
in Abu Dis

Promoting interreligious
cooperation
Briefings with US officials

Promoting interreligious
cooperation
“Halelu: Songs of
David” cantata
blends classical
European, Jewish
and Arab themes.
Collaboration among
composers and recording
artists of different cultures

Promoting interreligious
cooperation
The mayor of
Jerusalem
welcomes a Native
American chief.
A Native American leader
presents a traditional
necklace to a Gaza official.

“We need courageous leadership on
both sides for peace. Two people, both
not really religious, are fighting over
the holy places!”
- Prof. Moshe Amirav,
negotiator with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak at
Camp David talks, 2000
“We are in the Holy Land where God
sent His three main messengers. We
are the trustees of peace and the road
to peace.”
- Abu Ali Shaheen,
Member, Palestinian Parliament, Gaza

If we come from one God,
why allow boundaries to divide us?
Girls holding a peace poster

For information about current programs
email israel@upf.org

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Observances of the UN International Day of Families, May 15, 2014, with the theme "Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals." The Universal Peace Federation affirms the value of the family as the core unit of society. The family has formed the basis for communities, societies and civilizations throughout the ages. Virtually all the world’s religions teach the sacred value of marriage and family. The family is the school of love. It is also the school of virtue, ethics and citizenship. The cohesion and stability of the family are prerequisites for a healthy and stable society. Conversely, the breakdown of the family contributes to a wide range of social problems. By strengthening the family, we can build a stronger base of social capital that will enhance the overall quality of life for everyone. The natural family is grounded in marriage, the cornerstone of the family. Children benefit from having loving parents, a mother and father, who are committed to the well-being of their sons and daughters. There is no greater joy and no greater responsibility than that of raising boys and girls to become mature, socially-engaged and successful men and women. This is the role and responsibility of parents and grandparents. Traditional marriage and family are being challenged in a variety of ways at this time in history, by poverty, migration, displacement, urbanization, conflict, disease, etc. In addition, some question the value of traditional marriage and family. Others seek to redefine them. Despite these challenges, men and women the world over still aspire to build strong, loving, lasting marriages and, as parents, to raise children who prosper and flourish.

UPF Peacebuilding in the Americas

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) was launched in 2005 to promote peacebuilding initiatives around the world. UPF focuses on interfaith peacebuilding, strengthening relationships with the United Nations, addressing issues of peace and security, and empowering youth and families. Some of UPF's key activities include hosting interfaith dialogues and conferences, organizing events at the UN, commemorating days like the International Day of Peace, and supporting peace walks, service projects, and sports tournaments that engage youth. UPF's founders have also undertaken peace tours across multiple countries in North America, South America, and other regions to promote their message of peace.

Introducing Summit 2014

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) is a global network dedicated to building peace through spiritual and moral values. UPF brings people together through international conferences and grassroots programs to resolve conflicts. It has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and supports the UN and Millennium Development Goals. UPF's 2014 World Summit on "Peace, Security and Human Development" will be held in Seoul, Korea from August 9-13 and will bring together global leaders to discuss these issues.

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International Women's Day 2014

The Universal Peace Federation upholds the essential value and central role of women in peacebuilding and human development. UPF affirms the need for women to serve in leadership positions throughout the world in all sectors of society. UPF recognizes the equal value of men and women. Their absolute value derives from a common origin, God. God is the origin of both men and women, and all of God’s creation manifests complementary masculine and feminine aspects. Men and women are extensions and manifestations of God’s harmonious masculinity and femininity. The complementary relationship between men and women expresses the wholeness of human experience. Thus, there should be no gender discrimination but rather harmony of the sexes through love. Throughout history, women have taken the leading role in cultivating families as the dwelling places of peace, love, and health in shaping the individual character of children, and in fostering harmonious social relationships. In the family, both father and mother are equally entitled to reverence and honor. The path toward establishing global peace begins with strengthening families. The ideal of peace is at the core of all religions. Through dialogue and mutual understanding, there can be peace among religions, and peace among religions is a necessary prerequisite for world peace. Women can and should play a central role in promoting interfaith understanding and cooperation. UPF emphasizes the essential importance of women in addressing issues of peace and development in all sectors, including politics, business, culture, and religion. Women must be encouraged and empowered to assume leadership roles in the resolution of conflict, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. UPF supports the achievement of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, which include improved status, education, health, and physical well-being of women. Six of these eight goals are related to women; therefore, by uplifting the condition of women, the Millennium Development Goals will be advanced.

International Leadership Conference, Feb. 2014, Seoul, Korea

“Toward a New Paradigm for Peace and Human Development” was the theme of an International Leadership Conference that drew people from 50 nations to Seoul, Korea, from Feb. 9 to 13, 2014. Distinguished diplomats, scholars and peace activists offered insights into current events on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East to the 165 conference participants. Religious leaders, educators, journalists and women leaders described their work to build understanding and improve relations among diverse people in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

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