Aspiring for peace and justice in 2011

Peace-loving people across the world are praying for peace and justice in the New Year.

It is hoped that the logic of dialogue and justice will prevail over the language of violence and blackmail and that people of every race and religion will be able to coexist in peace and harmony.

The year 2010 witnessed damaging floods, major forest fires in Russia, and droughts in some parts of the world.

According to some experts, all or most of these events occurred due to global warming.

In addition, over the past year, terrorists killed many innocent people in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq.

It is hoped that every country will address the repercussions of rising temperatures and take serious steps in the New Year.

In the modern world, justice and peace have taken on new meanings.

For example, millions of Pakistanis fell victim to heavy storms and flooding, most probably due to global warming, which the Pakistanis were not responsible for.

If the major emitters do not promptly address the issue of climate change, farmers in other parts of the world will suffer, which will lead to desperation and displacement and maybe even conflict.

All monotheistic religions promote peace, and it is hoped that in the New Year, Christians will encourage the political leaders of their countries to avoid conflict and to work for peace and justice.

In addition, countries of the Global South should start spending more on healthcare, food, education, and environmental protection, rather than buying billions of dollars of military equipment from certain major powers, which are fiercely competing to capture markets for their arms exports.

It should also be noted that peace is not possible without justice.

For example, it will not be possible to establish peace in Palestine without a fair solution, which is a fact that has been proven by experience for over six decades.

Just as their coreligionists in other parts of the world, Christians in Iran, a land of ancient civilizations and religious tolerance, are also praying for a prosperous and peaceful world.