The Making of Peace  (A Call for Goodness and Beauty) Capt Mohamed Hassan Al-Tahir  

Peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of profound human values rooted in:

– Embracing identities

– The beauty of place and human affinity

– Social relationships

It is a civilizational project that requires:

– Reshaping both individual and collective mindsets

– Transforming contradictions into opportunities for encounter

Amin Maalouf, in his book In the Name of Identity: Violence and the Need to Belong, describes how identity can turn into a weapon when reduced to a single element and used to exclude others.

The making of peace begins with redefining identity to become “embracing,” meaning:

– Open to diversity

– Able to interact with others without fear or threat

An embracing identity sees:

– Diversity as richness, not danger

– Difference as opportunity, not threat

Henri Bergson links the beauty of place with human intimacy.

A beautiful place creates a sense of belonging and tranquility, contributing to warmer social bonds.

Peacebuilding requires public spaces that make people feel dignity and beauty, because the surrounding environment directly influences one’s readiness for coexistence and tolerance.

Peaceful coexistence is not merely an ethical choice, but an existential need to refine souls and eliminate hatred.

The factors that remove hatred begin with:

– Education on accepting others

– Cultural and religious dialogue

– Building just institutions that grant every individual their rights

When people feel their rights are protected:

– The motives for violence and hatred diminish

– The attraction toward coexistence increases

Wealth and Power as Part of the Peace Equation

Peace cannot be sustained amid extreme poverty or political injustice. Wealth and power must be managed fairly, because unequal distribution generates feelings of deprivation and resentment.

Economic and political justice is a fundamental pillar of peace, granting individuals confidence that the social system works for them, not against them.

The Psychology of Peacebuilding

Peace begins from within.

The psychology of peacebuilding is based on:

– Addressing feelings of fear, anger, and revenge

– Transforming them into positive energy for construction

Human beings need:

– Psychological training in forgiveness

– Institutions that promote a culture of dialogue instead of exclusion

– Open and growth-oriented mindsets

From a mindset perspective, peace requires a shift:

– From a fixed mindset that sees the world as closed and limited

– To a growth mindset that believes in the possibility of change and development

A growth mindset makes individuals more willing to accept others and more capable of turning crises into opportunities for learning and growth.

Conclusion

Peacebuilding is a journey that begins with redefining identity, passes through the beauty of place, and ends with a growth mindset that sees plurality as an opportunity for progress.

It is a complex equation that combines:

– Wealth and power

– The psychology of individuals and the attractiveness of place, which positively elevates the human spirit

Peace is not a static state, but a continuous act that requires awareness, justice, and beauty.

Finally,

peace be upon you.

Peace be upon you,

 and upon you peace.