Mohamed contributed the following explanation on the Islamic tradition and its relation to this month's theme:

“Islam is peace” or “Islam is the religion of peace”, phrases usually uttered by Muslims and some non-Muslims to describe Islam. The word Islam comes from the Arabic root s-l-m which contains the meanings of surrender and peace. So Islam is described as a religion that requires submission to Allah (God) that leads one to experience peace in the heart and in human interactions. Anyone who believes in Islam is considered a Muslim. Upon seeing one another, Muslims say “As-Salam Alaikom” or “peace be upon you”. One of the names of God in the Quran is “a-Salam” or the “source of peace”. The Quran says “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.”

Rev. Elizabeth Mount, a member the Unitarian Universalist church, shared the following quotes on Peace:

What we would like to do is change the world—make it a little simpler for people to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves... by fighting for better conditions, by crying out unceasingly for the rights of the workers, the poor, of the destitute... [W]e can, to a certain extent, change the world; we can work for the oasis, the little cell of joy and peace in a harried world. We can throw our pebble in the pond and be confident that its ever widening circle will reach around the world.

Dorothy Day, a founder of the Catholic Worker Movement

If there is to be peace in the world,

There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,

There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,

There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,

There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,

There must be peace in the heart.

Taoist philosopher, Lao-Tse, sixth century BCE

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:3-9, translation from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Levi, a member of the Lutheran church, contributed these biblical passages on Peace:

I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

James 3:17-18

It would therefore be fitting if the coat of arms of every upright prince were emblazoned with a loaf of bread instead of a lion or a wreath of rue, or if a loaf of bread were stamped on coins, in order to remind both princes and subjects that it is through the princes’ office that we enjoy protection and peace and that without them we could neither eat nor preserve the precious gift of bread.

The Large Catechism 3:75

Next month's theme—Spiritual Light! 

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