Peace King

H.E. Abdurrahman Wahid

President, Indonesia (1999-2001)

n the speech and in the person of Rev. Sun Myung Moon, we can find a very long struggle to establish peace in a peaceful way. Religion does not permit the use of violence. Under Islamic law, only if you are abducted from your home are you entitled to physical defense. Christians are admonished to give the left cheek if the right has been struck.

All religions insist on peace. From this we might think that the religious struggle for peace is simple … but it is not. The deep problem is that people use religion wrongly in pursuit of victory and triumph. This sad fact then leads to conflict with people who have different beliefs. For this reason Rev. Moon’s call for peace though religion is something of great nuance and profundity. We are deeply fortunate for the chance to hear him and observe his life-long struggle for world peace. We can see how he lives peace so fully in his life. He has endured unspeakable persecution. I know this. This puts us in his debt.

If he can continue, we are the beneficiaries. This is why I harbor an inner hope that this visit will bring about the peace he lives and gives through his life and his speeches.

6 THE MAN AND HIS WORK