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Can faith leaders reduce tensions and bring peace? Some believe so
The raging war in the Middle East since October 2023, first in Gaza and now spreading to Lebanon, may be about fighting over land and securing borders, but the impact is spilling over to other parts of the world, often in the form of even more hatred against religious communities.
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A flock of pigeons flies away as a smoke cloud erupts after a rocket fired by an Israeli war plane hit a building in Beirut's southern suburb of Shayah on Oct. 22, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP/AFP)
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aith communities are increasingly coming under attack in many parts of the world, not just one religion, but almost all creeds in different regions, under different circumstances.
Antisemitism is flourishing in Europe, the United States and much of the world. Anti-Christian sentiment is growing in the Middle East and Asia and Islamophobia in Europe, the United States and Australia.
The raging war in Middle East since October 2023, first in Gaza and now spreading to Lebanon, may be about fighting over land and securing borders, but the impact is spilling over to other parts of the world, many in the form of even more hatred against religious communities.
Can religious leaders stem the tide of hate and violence that is undermining interfaith relations, when some of the tensions and violence are apparently motivated by religion?
The answer is yes, if they confront the challenges together.
If anyone can, it will have to be religious leaders, given the influence they have over their respective communities. Don’t bank on politicians to do the job, since many of them would use religion as a weapon to increase their popularity and power.
