CPTnet
December 24, 2004

IRAQ REFLECTION: Candles in the shadows

At a team worship time soon after the kidnapping of Margaret Hassan I had a
clear image. It was of a land of shadows and darkness. But within that land
candles were burning--not many but enough to shed some light on the
landscape. Some candles disappeared and it was my sense that the light was
taken away for protection. Other candles burned until nothing was left and a
small number of candles seemed to have their light snuffed out by the
shadows and darkness. As the candles that burned until the end and the
snuffed candles ceased to burn, more candles appeared and seemed to build
on their light.

I have been reflecting on two bright and powerful lights I have gotten to
know in Baghdad over the last several months. One is an Iraqi who is a
member of the Dominican Order. The other is a teacher who works with a human
rights organization. Both have no illusions regarding the dark times their
country is facing. But both have a vision of a land at peace. As for the
current situation in his country the Dominican Father says, "I am prudent.
I try to be wise. But I have no fear. This is my rule: I have no fear, but
I seek prudence and wisdom." The human rights worker said, "I believe that
the foundation of all major religions (Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and
Buddhism) is peace. But it is peace from within not imposed from without."

For a number of years, the human rights worker has had a vision of what he
now calls an Islamic Peacemaker Team (IPT.) He says his contact and
partnership with CPT over the last two years has given him some concrete
ideas to work with. He feels there are two major hurdles to overcome in the
formation of IPT --one is the tension between Sunni and Shi'a people (and
leaders) and the other is the issue of what some call "redemptive violence"
as an acceptable way of resolving conflict.

The Dominican Father has many projects going at this time. He is working on
a translation project, noting that, "Arabic people make up over 5% of the
worlds population but only 1% of the world's literature is available in
Arabic." He is also starting the Open University of Baghdad. Renovation is
beginning on an existing building that was used as a convent. It will be
open to all, Christians and Muslims. Payment for the university would be on
a sliding scale with an emphasis on technical skill building and language
courses.

Fearless, prudent and wise. We in CPT need to work to find a balance
between all three of these character traits. But it is my sense that
removing ourselves from the darkness will never create the capacity for
people living in the shadows to grow in the light.