Inter-Religious Presentations on Peace from the World Moot August 1 2025

Christian Orthodox

• Peace is one of the most frequently invoked words in the Orthodox Church. It opens our prayers: “In peace, let us pray to the Lord.” It marks our worship: “Peace be with you all.” And it expresses our deepest hope for the world: “Let us go forth in peace.”
• Today, the need for such peace is painfully urgent. War continues to take lives and uproot families, cycles of violence and fear leave deep scars, especially on the innocent. These tragedies are not statistics; they are the real and daily experiences of people created in the image of God.
• As Orthodox Christians and Scouts, we cannot remain indifferent. We have taken concrete steps in response. We have organised activities for children and youth in conflict areas and other parts of the world, offering spaces of healing, hope, and human connection. These small acts, grounded in faith and service, become seeds of peace.
• His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in his message to the participants of the 25th World Scout Jamboree, has said, "In the spirit of the Scout Law, which advocates trustworthiness, helpfulness, and reverence for nature, we find a profound connection to the teachings of Christ. Our Lord, in His Sermon on the Mount, urged us to be peacemakers, to show mercy, and to love our neighbours as ourselves. These timeless principles echo the very essence of what Scouting seeks to instil in young hearts, guiding them to become responsible stewards of our world and compassionate advocates for the less fortunate."
• Peacemaking is not a passive ideal. It is a calling to act with courage, humility, and love. It means standing against hatred, caring for the wounded, building understanding where there is division, and holding fast to the dignity of every human being.
• As members of the Scout Movement and as faithful Orthodox Christians, we are called to live this out, not only in words, but in action. Whether through caring for the earth, serving our communities, or reaching out to those in need, we can be builders of peace, even in the face of great challenge.
• May we strive each day to embody the peace of Christ, a peace that is not imposed by force, but born from love; not maintained by fear, but nourished by hope.
• And may that peace begin with us

Christian Catholic

• Peacebuilding is an essential theme in the Catholic tradition. We find this reference in Jesus Christ himself, who said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled”
• For Jesus, therefore, not just any peace matters. It is not the peace of those who impose it by force of arms. It is a peace that evokes fullness, integrity of life, and that points to the construction of something new. Building bridges, not walls.
• Saint Paul said about Jesus: “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” Interpreting Jesus’ understanding of peace, several Popes, especially in recent times, have sought to make this message meaningful for today’s world.
• In 1967, Pope Paul VI established the World Day of Peace, to be celebrated every year on the first day of January, as an invitation and challenge to all true friends of Peace.
• In 1986, Pope John Paul II, in Assisi, gave a great impetus to interreligious dialogue, inviting various religious leaders such as the Dalai Lama to pray for peace, evoking the spirit of dialogue and fraternity that Saint Francis of Assisi spread so well.
• Pope Francis, in 2019, signed a groundbreaking document with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar about human fraternity for world peace and living together, emphasising the importance of religions in the construction of a true peace.
• The current Pope, Leo XIV, also offered the Church and the world strong words on this subject in his inaugural address, wishing to all “the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering.  A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all, unconditionally.”
• In a spirit of true dialogue and fraternity, the words of this famous prayer attributed to Saint Francis should apply - Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

Islam

• Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatulliahi wa barakatuh, Peace and blessings be upon you all
• Today, we stand here united by one purpose: to live together in peace and harmony. In Islam, peace is not just a concept; it is a way of life
• The word Islam itself comes from the root ‘Salaam’, which means peace. Muslims begin every greeting with peace - it is something we carry into our families, our communities and to the world around us
• The Quran teaches us that our diversity, our different languages, colours and cultures, is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be embraced. We are living this verse at this very moment. Looking around, we can see how different we all are even by the colours of our scarves. We have travelled from all over the world to be here, to gather in one place. Showing how we are one human family, one scout family
• And just like family, if one of us is hurting, we all feel it. Prophet Muhammed PBUH said ‘the believers are like a single body, if one part of the body is in pain, the whole body feels it.
• May we be people who build peace, wherever we go. Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah, and may peace be upon you all

Jewish

• Shalom Aleichem (Peace be with you). This is the greeting that Jewish people welcome others with whenever we meet. Peace is a central theme in Judaism. 
• For instance:
  • In the Torah, commonly referred to as the bible, Aaron the high priest is commanded to bless the people. What is he commanded to bless the people with? It’s PEACE. (Numbers, Ch. 6) 
  • Our sages in Pirke Avot (the book of Jewish ethics, written around the 2nd century) quote Rabbi Hillel from a century earlier, who admonishes the Jewish people to "be among the disciples of Aaron, loving peace, pursuing peace, and loving people"
  • In the Tehillim (Psalms), which are songs of praise, and form the basis for most of the Jewish prayers. The Psalms are full of calls for peace, including:
    • "Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it" (34:15)
    • "Cease war, break the bows, snap the spears, burn the wagons of war" (46:10)
    • The prophet Isaiah famously said "nations shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift the sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Isiah taught us that the pursuit of peace was fundamental to our existence.
    • Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon (known as Maimonides or the Rambam), Famous Rabbi, Physician, Philosopher and prolific author of the 12^th century said “Great is peace, for the entire Torah was given to bring peace into the world as it says in Proverbs “it’s ways are the ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace”
  • Our central prayer, recited three times a day and other key passages, conclude with a request to G-d to bring peace down on earth, “May the one who makes peace in the heavens above, support us to bring peace down on earth.
• Let us all work towards peace and when you meet each other, let's start with peace and wish each other a sincere Shalom Aleichem.
• And in the words of a popular Hebrew Song - Hevenu Shalom Aleichem (May we bring peace together)

Church of Jesus Christ and Later Day Saints

• Fellow Scouts, have you ever sat around a campfire? It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what language you speak; everyone understands the warmth and light of a fire. It brings people together. In a way, our efforts to build peace in the world are a lot like building a campfire. It’s something everyone can gather around.
• As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as Scouts, we have a special opportunity to be builders of peace. You might think, "How can I bring about world peace?" Well, it starts small, and it often starts by working with others.
• Around the globe, we partner with other faith groups, like Catholic Relief Services, Islamic Relief, and many others, to get help to those who need it most. We don’t ask what church someone belongs to before we offer them a meal. We just see a brother or sister in need.
• Respecting others, even when their beliefs are different from our own, is a foundational principle of peace. It’s also at the heart of the Scout Law. A Scout is friendly, courteous, and kind. You practice this every day in your troops and in your communities. When you show respect to someone from a different background, you are being a peacemaker.
• Christ is called the Prince of Peace, and He showed us the way by serving and loving everyone. As His disciples and as Scouts, we can follow His example. As our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, says, “We can be the ones who build bridges of understanding and cooperation. We can be the ones who, piece by piece, help build a world of peace”.

Sikh

• Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh - This is a blessing to stand here among people of many paths, gathered with a shared longing, to live together in peace.
• Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith, shared a message of Oneness and unity that still echoes today:
• "Na ko beri nahin begana, sagal sang hum ko ban aayi." - (No one is my enemy, no one is a stranger. I get along with everyone.) Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1299. This is not just a vision for individual harmony; it is a blueprint for society. True peace begins when we move beyond divisions and begin to see one another as brothers and sisters in the same human family.
• Guru Granth Sahib reminds us: "Aval Allah Noor upaaya, kudrat ke sabh bande; Ek Noor te sabh jag upjeya, kaun bhale ko mande?" (First, the Creator created the Light; all beings are from that Light. From the One Light, the entire universe was born, so who is good, and who is bad?) Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1349.  This verse reminds us that peace is rooted in equality. If we are all created from the same Divine Light, how can we judge or hate one another? When we recognise that spark of Waheguru the Divine in every being, we naturally move toward compassion, justice, and service.
• In Sikh practice, this service is called seva, selfless service for the good of all. It is why langar, the free community kitchen, welcomes people of every background. It is why Guru Harkrishan Ji served victims of disease with no thought for his own safety. Peace is not just the absence of conflict; it is the presence of active love.
• And Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru, showed us that true strength lies in standing for righteousness while living with grace. We are called to be saint-soldiers brave enough to defend the vulnerable, yet gentle enough to embrace all with kindness.
• Every Sikh prayer ends with a powerful message: “Sarbat da bhala”, May everyone flourish. May all beings find peace.
• Today, may we renew that spirit in our homes, our communities, and across the world. May our hearts stay open, our hands ready to serve, and our words grounded in truth and kindness. May we truly learn to live together in peace.
• Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

World Scout Committee Representative

• Peace is not just the absence of conflict, it’s the presence of understanding, of compassion, of courage. And it begins with us. In our homes, our schools, our communities.
• This is the true meaning of Peace, this is what we need to embed in all our programs, this is what we should seed the culture of peace for the future of our world.
• Look around you, every face here carries a story, a dream, a hope. And today, we are united by one powerful belief: that peace is possible.
• Let us be the voices that speak up for unity. The hands that reach out in kindness. The hearts that believe in a better world.
• Together, we can turn this message into a movement. Let’s live peace, breathe peace, and be peace.
• Peace is not a distant dream. It’s something we build together through every kind word, every act of understanding, every time we choose to listen instead of judge.
• Let us walk out of this moot not just inspired but committed. Committed to being the light in someone’s darkness. The calm in someone’s storm.
• Dear friends, before I leave the stage today, I want to invite you to a meaningful call to action.
• You were given a white ribbon before coming to the ceremony. I want to ask you now to take a moment to reflect on the importance of peace, our shared values and our role as messengers for peace
• The white ribbon is not just a symbol; it’s a call. A call to rise above fear, to choose love over hate, and to build bridges where others see walls.
• Write your peace message in your ribbon. It is now time to spread peace between ourselves. Let’s start by sharing this white ribbon with the person next to you. As we are approaching the end let’s leave with the certainty that, regardless of who we are, where we are from, our faith and beliefs, we are bridge-builders and peacemakers.