Toronto (AsiaNews) - "The Day of Prayer for Syria the pope has called for helps us understand that the crisis in the Middle East is not taking place in another world, far from us, but in this world," said Izzeldin Abuelaisch, a Palestinian Muslim obstetrician and gynecologist, famous around the world for his book I Shall Not Hate, written after his three daughters and a niece were killed during Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009). Speaking to AsiaNews, he also said, "I will participate with joy in the prayer vigil. I am doing everything possible to spread" news about it.
For the Palestinian doctor, it is not enough to talk about peace. People must act and speak out following the example of the pope. This is especially true for people who believe in God, Christians and Muslims.
"Faith," he explained, "cannot be an ideal. It must involve action from the heart and bring each one of us to ask ourselves what we can do to change this world of violence."
Abuelaish points out that the violence and hatred that are killing Syria are endemic and threaten the entire world.
"In many countries of the Middle East," he noted, "there is poverty, ignorance, and little hope. Keeping the situation this was lays the foundation for the hatred that leads to wars. We must defend peace and freedom everywhere to protect our world. Human life and its meaning are the only thing that is worth fighting for. "(S.C.)