Let’s learn from each other and accept each other

YOU are to be commended for publishing four letters on one page dealing with the Israel/Palestine issue (“The debate rages on”, Cape Argus, March 7).

What stood out for me was Adiel Ismail’s letter (Why the venom, when Jews, Muslims and Christians are all ‘People of the Book’?).

Here is a Muslim who recognises that we’re all related so there shouldn’t be such family dissension.

Adiel symbolises an attitude that should be practised by all people of tolerance and goodwill. Just think of the consequences amongst the billions comprising the three major religions: genuine peace amongst nations, indeed within nations.

Sadly, tolerance is not a characteristic readily found in humans and history is filled with the ongoing violence between people and The Other.

Tragically, hate and discrimination are learnt very early in childhood and too few parents, teachers and religious leaders make a conscious effort not to poison children’s minds, while others deliberately exploit their innocence as they propagate Difference and Dislike of The Other.

Here in our beloved Cape Town, we have an Interfaith Initiative comprising our religious leadership – in light of the convergence of the Jewish Passover, the Christian Easter and the imminent Muslim Ramadaan, and due to their universal significance and relevance to every individual, I reproduce below their international Charter for Compassion: “We declare our shared commitment to the following principles, and pledge to hold ourselves and one another responsible for achieving them.

“We recognise that every person shares a common humanity capable of both happiness and suffering.

“We pledge in our words and actions to treat everyone as we would wish to be treated, to help those around us who are in need, and to make amends when we cause another pain.

“We recognise that we have different abilities, body sizes, races, religions, languages, classes, gender identities and sexual orientations.

“We pledge to step into the shoes of others and try to understand their point of view, especially when we disagree or find ourselves in conflict.

“We recognise that intolerance and hatred cause suffering and that when we do nothing, or laugh or post comments online we allow the suffering and the evil deeds to continue.

“We pledge to resist all forms of prejudice, racism, discrimination, and bullying, respect those who may be different from ourselves, and make a place where everyone belongs.

“We commit to practise the values in this Charter within our community, in our daily interactions and in the world.”

Let’s learn from each other and accept each other, allowing each person to live his or her life as he or she pleases as long as it doesn’t interfere with others.

The entire world would be a better place if everyone shared Adiel Ismail’s views.