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Intro
How can we, in the 21st century, continue to witness Palestinian children brutally killed without feeling the same anguish our predecessors felt (and that everyone should have felt) when seeing Jewish children torn from their mothers’ arms, separated from their parents, deported to concentration camps, and mercilessly exterminated? Have the lessons of history taught us nothing?
This is not a matter of religion, ethnicity, geography, or flag: when a single child dies, a piece of our very future dies. We cannot see ourselves as active participants in the human family only in moments of triumph—through the internet, technology, medicine, science. We all claim the victories, but we also, even if unconsciously, wish that the losses always fall upon others—those far from us.
Every child killed—whether Palestinian, Israeli, or from any other people—represents a deep wound in the heart of anyone who calls themselves human, a believer in GOD, a person of righteousness.
Those who remain indifferent in the face of this reality have lost their conscience. Injustice does not become more acceptable if it strikes millions of Palestinians on one side and only a few thousand on the other, because a single child is enough to condemn us all.
The Unity of Faiths: A Call from the Qur’an
The Holy Qur’an is often not fully understood, mistranslated, or read with prejudice. Yet, to those with open hearts, its verses speak clearly in favor of justice, mercy, and peace.
“Indeed, those who believe, and those who are Jews, Christians, and Sabians—whoever believes in GOD and the Last Day and does good—will have their reward with their Lord. They will have no fear, nor will they grieve.”
(Qur’an 2:62)
“And do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best manner, except with those among them who do wrong, and say: ‘We believe in what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to you. Our GOD and your GOD is One, and to Him we submit.’”
(Qur’an 29:46)
This verse from the Qur’an (29:46) is one of the clearest and most profound calls to spiritual unity among the Abrahamic faiths. It not only invites respectful dialogue with the “People of the Book”—Jews and Christians—but solemnly affirms a fundamental principle of Revelation: “Our GOD and your GOD is One.”
But it is the last word, often ignored or misunderstood, that deserves special attention: “submit.”
In the Arabic text, the term used is muslimūn (مسلمون), which literally means those who submit (to GOD). From this root comes the word Muslim, not as a political or ethnic identity, but as a spiritual condition of one who willingly accepts the will of the Creator.
In the Qur’anic context, “to submit” does not mean to belong to a particular religion, or to bow in fear before a tyrant, but rather to recognize the Divine Order, to accept its moral laws, and to live in awareness of our human limitations, allowing GOD to guide, correct, and enlighten.
Unfortunately, many modern interpretations—whether by detractors or extremists—have misunderstood or distorted this concept, associating “submission” with coercion, blind obedience, or even violence. But this is the exact opposite of its original meaning. In the Qur’anic perspective, submitting to GOD is an act of spiritual freedom, a recognition of a higher will that works for goodness, justice, and mercy. It is the conscious gesture of Abraham, who “submitted” out of love and trust in GOD—and for this reason is recognized as the father not only of Judaism, but also of Islam and Christianity.
The verse makes it clear that what truly matters is not the religious label, but doing good and recognizing the Oneness of GOD. Whoever follows this path—Jew, Christian, Muslim, or Sabian—is an authentic believer.
Verses from the Qur’an That Call for Justice, Peace, and Equality
“O you who believe! Be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for GOD, even against yourselves or your parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, GOD is more worthy of both…”
(Qur’an 4:135)
“GOD commands you to return trusts to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice…”
(Qur’an 4:58)
“And if incline toward peace, then incline to it , and trust in GOD…”
(Qur’an 8:61)
“GOD does not forbid you from being kind and just toward those who have not fought you because of religion and have not expelled you from your homes…”
(Qur’an 60:8)
The message is unmistakable: justice is not an option but a duty. Peace is not weakness but strength. Islam, like the core of the other Abrahamic faiths, is founded upon these principles.
Many mistakenly interpret the Qur’an and Islam as a violent religion
Too often, Islam is portrayed—out of ignorance or propaganda—as a warlike religion. Yet the authentic message of the Qur’an is clear: justice, mercy, and dignity for every human being. The chapters that speak of war refer to specific historical contexts, in which Muslims were persecuted, expelled, and attacked.
The true “jihad,” according to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is the inner struggle against the ego and injustice. Islam not only permits but actively encourages peace, dialogue, and coexistence.
The Torah and the Bible Can Also Be Misinterpreted
Even in the Bible—a text of peace, justice, and love—there are passages that can be misinterpreted. History teaches us that the Scriptures have been used to justify crusades, colonization, and slavery. But the problem is not the text itself; it lies in the intent of those who read it without humility.
The words of GOD must be understood in spirit, not just in letter—they must be read in light of their historical context. Those who use them to justify hatred betray their very essence. But those who read them with a sincere heart and an open mind discover that all Sacred Books—when read with a pure heart—lead to compassion, respect, and unity.
Conclusion: One Spiritual Family
The children of Abraham are today called to a sacred task: to break the chains of hatred, to build bridges of reconciliation, and to raise their voices for the little ones, for the innocent, for those who have no voice. True spirituality does not lie in claiming to possess absolute truth, but in recognizing the image of GOD in the other.
The Words of GOD do not divide. It is man—through arrogance and ignorance—who uses those words to build walls. But if we return to the essence, to the Truth that unites rather than divides, then we can truly begin to prepare for the First World Peace.
“It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say.”
— Primo Levi, If This Is a Man