The Islamic Society of Central Florida joins countless other calls to an immediate cease fire between Israel and the Palestinians. The ongoing war has only lead to hundreds of innocent lives being lost. Innocent men, women and especially children have been yet again caught in the conflict. Based on media reports Hospitals, residential buildings and schools affiliated with the United Nations where civilians have been seeking refuge have also been targeted. This will only bring more hatred and animosity for generations to come on both sides.

Both sides must recognize that peace will not be won by military means and more violence, but only through a negotiated agreement that is built on realistic compromises and solid reciprocal steps that inspire trust and help overcome decades of mutual suspicion and hostility.

It is only through dialogue and mutual understanding that a lasting peace can be achieved. War has never been the ultimate solution to any problem in human history. Political leaders must learn from the past and recognize that the value of innocent lives should be the ultimate factor to find other methods than war.

It is with great sorrow that we witness another example of human suffering caused by avoidable violence and war in the Holy Land. It is an irony that the Holy Land that is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims is also the heart of decades of blood shed and war. All sides MUST STOP the blood shed NOW!

No sacred text speaks of people reaching peace and harmony by using war to eliminate the other, it is just the opposite. All major sacred texts speak of reaching peace through the Golden rule; “Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.” The Holy Quran states: “….if any one slew a person it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a person, it would be as if he saved the lives of the whole people….” (Chapter 5, Verse 32)

We call on our government to act swiftly to do everything possible to stop the fighting and move the international community, including Arab states in the region, and push for realistic compromises and cooperation. We have seen that the option of violence only leads to negative effects across the region and ultimately the rest of the world. Too much is at stake in our world to do anything less.