A look at conflict in Middle East and the leadership of King Abdullah

The sustainable growth and development of the present generation of the human race and the prospects of the future generations is dependent on the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of humans and communities as a family. This holds true regardless of differences in nationality, cultural, racial, ethnic and religious orientations. Although our beliefs and lived norms might differ in one way or another, we are all human beings, characterised by our shared humanity and values. This implies the very fact that what is of actual and desirable good and humane value for us is of an actual and desirable good and humane value for them.

For His Majesty King Abdullah, the future of humanity is not dependent on who is who in the context of status relative to others in the world. Rather, it is dependent on the extent to which all in the world value and commit to supporting and promoting sustainable, harmonious coexistence. King Abdullah has played a vital role in advocating for peace not only in the Middle East region, but also beyond the geographical and ideological boundaries of Islam, by not only expressing his thoughts and ideas, but also being tolerant and respectful of the views of others, even when they differ with his own. For example, on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, His Majesty has continuously stated that peace in the Middle East would not be achieved without creating a Palestinian state under a two-state solution, which would establish the basis of a comprehensive peace deal between Israel and Arab states.

The struggle for religious supremacy in a world of diversity negates the very core of a human world, which is, according to King Abdullah, “our shared humanity and values”. Indeed, more than any other human interest and orientation, religion remains the most notable cause for influencing the “us or against them” mindset as a critical determinant of the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among individuals and communities the world over. King Abdullah has proved a great leader and force not just in appreciating the need for tolerance and mutual respect of religious diversity and harmonious coexistence within a human world. Rather, he is on record for having invested unqualified commitment in living, supporting and promoting this tolerance and mutual respect of diversity.

Indeed, the King is to be hailed as one of the most inspirational and peace-affirming political figures in the modern world. The 2004 Amman Message is one among the works and efforts by King Abdullah that deserve to be recognised for promoting peace and religious harmony, both within Islam and between Islam and other world religions. The Amman Message was a clearly articulated explanation of what Islam is and what it is not. It is clear that the message defined the core elements of Islam to rebuke the misinformed association of terrorism and violence with the religion. It informed the concept of shared values and humanity as one society, by informing the validity of all eight legal schools of Islam.

Furthermore, King Abdullah is the driving force behind other major initiatives such as the 2007 “A Common Word Between Us and You”, which ended with the writing of an open letter by Islamic leaders to Christian leaders, calling for the support and promotion of religious diversity and harmonious coexistence. Both the Amman Message and the “A Common Word Between Us and You” have won the acknowledgement of and commitments from many leaders, regardless of religious orientation, across the world as valuable resources to inform the future of humanity in the world. The open letter emphasised the shared values and origins of the both Islam and Christianity as qualified by the twin commandments, “love of God” and “love of your neighbour”.

The inspiration and influence of His Majesty in articulating on the value of fostering religious tolerance and mutual respect was demonstrated in the unanimous passage of his 2010 proposal for the adoption of a UN World Interfaith Harmony Week by a UN General Assembly resolution. In particular, this resolution is meant to appreciate and to promote religious harmony through tolerance and mutual respect for religious diversity, within a world where we all have shared humanity and values. In keeping with his conviction for the coexistence of all humans in peace and harmony, through respect and accommodation of diversity, King Abdullah is on record for his personal commitment to actively supporting the promotion of the principles of shared humanity and values in the Jordanian state.

Indeed, King Abdullah has informed and inspired, through his personal commitment to advocacy, the emergence of a new global dispensation and movement in the world of religion and religious orientations. In particular, the King has successfully defined and promoted an understanding of our shared humanity and values, regardless of our religious orientation. The inherently far-reaching impacts of his efforts in promoting and advocating for religious harmony continue to be felt in the human society, an element that qualifies the King for the Templeton Prize. 

Beyond his recognition with this prestigious global award, the commitment to “love for God” and “love for the neighbour” are promising provisions for fostering peace and sustainable conflict resolution in the world, and the Middle East in particular. Indeed, if only other world leaders could embrace and promote “love” in their leaderships, the challenge facing peaceful and harmonious coexistence will be solved.

The writer is an international relations specialist. He contributed this article to The Jordan Times