Conflict in the Middle East

Christianity

The Role of Religion in the Middle East Conflict

The Middle East is the cradle of the main religions of the world (Molloy, 1942). Despite this fact, the region has experience hatred and violence for many years. The two main religions involved in the conflict are Jewish and Islam. Many Arab nations portray the ongoing conflict between them and Israel as a war against their religion. In this regard, they wage war as a basis of incitement of other Arab and non-Arab nations against Israel. According to Hama (1994), the endless conflict between Arabs and Israel may not be exactly a land issue or a war between nations but a mindless pursuit to defend Arab nationalism from the israeli threat. The founder of Islam, Mohhamad cultivated the idea of jihad as a way of influencing the spread of Islam by using forceful strategies. Arab Muslim countries have perfected this ideology of jihad to amass greater spheres in their mission, this has led to an all out clash with their Jewish neighbor Israel.

Israel is in the middle of increased terror attacks from Arab nations because it is viewed as a representative of Western world positioning it at the frontline of the battle between the West and the Arab countries. The acts of terror are deeply rooted in the Arab countries and violent ideas are presented as modernized holy war. Violent Islamic groups within the Arab nations have come up with religious ways of attacking the Jews. A promise of eternal life and marriage of many wives in heaven make the war against Israel almost unstoppable. Mass murders of citizens by suicide bombers in Israel are occurring on a daily basis in the name of Allah. The acts of terror are a normal occurrence with children trained from tender ages on the cons of killing of Jews and non-Muslims (Israel Science and Technology Directory, 2012).

The education systems in most Arab countries have put in place religious learning materials that foster hatred and violence towards the Israelites. The books emphasize hatred and intolerance towards the Jews and portraying them as enemies. In vacation camps and schools, Arab children are taught basic military strategies against Israel. Muslim clerics use derogatory terms to describe Israel and to instill confidence in their student that Israel is their enemy. This system makes peace meaningless to the children, sows hatred in them and influences the coming generations as well.

The contrast between the two religions continues to instill conflict in the Middle East. Judaism does not embrace forceful conversions to other religions, it emphasizes on restoration of relationship with Yahweh. This motivated their re-settlement in the region as a biblical ancestral land an issue that has been contentious. According to Troen (2011), Zionism successfully established a Jewish state ensuring a place for the Jews in the world map. The state has become a center of interest and a player in world affairs. The Jewish faith believes that their settlement here was their right a view that is opposed by their Muslim neighbors.

Path to Peace in the Middle East

The relationship between Jews and Muslims started with the spread of Islam in 655 CE in the Arabia . The two religions share the same history; Muslims refer to the Jews as the children of Israel and regard them as an integral part of their religion. Moses is considered as God's messenger in Islam and mentioned more than any other prophet in the Quran. Similarly, he is the most regarded prophet in Judaism, both religions share a common origin through Abraham, commonly known as Abrahamic religions. Prager & Telushkin (2003), explain that Islam grew out of Judaism and share fundamental religious outlook, setup as well as theory and philosophy of law. Based on the facts here, if religion is the cause of war in the Middle East, then there is a great possibility that religion can end it.

Proper religious education is necessary in the region to quell the violence. This must be entrenched in a common understanding accord prepared by a group of eminent persons from all countries of the region. It is the responsibility of the religious leaders in this region to assist in ending the misconceptions and negative attitudes. There are propagated prolific misconceptions in Islam that provoke violence, such depiction is a contradictory of Islamic ideals. The Quran is clear in the book of Al Baqaral that God hates aggressors. The Message of Islam (2009), explains that the ordinance of the often misused "kill them whenever you see them" quote, was confined to a particular warfare at a specific time in history when Muslims were being persecuted and does not transcend that period. Caution must be observed by opinion leaders in respect to proper application of religious doctrines.

The Jews on the other hand must reach out to their neighbors and not take a self righteous attitude. The Torah, in the books of Genesis and Exodus tell of the promised land to the descendants of Abraham through Issac. The text from the Torah makes mention of the land as a covenant between God and his people. However, the world immigration pattern has changed many times and many ancient nations and empires have been affected. Israel need not to use force to expand the borders, peace as taught by Torah must be the guiding principle.