Speeches and Writings Regarding Peace

Nelson Mandela Inaugural Address
May 10, 1994 (Cape Town, South Africa)

Text

It is impossible to encapsulate a description of the suffering and the courage of the indigenous people of South Africa (and of Mandela himself) that preceded the magnanimous speech that marked the pivot of an entire nation toward the infancy of unity and justice after hundreds of years of otherwise.

“The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come. . . . We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. . . . We commit ourselves to the construction of a complete, just and lasting peace.” President Nelson Mandela, 1994

Eisenhower’s Farewell Address
January 17, 1961 (Washington, D.C.)

Text and audio (15 min)

Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, serving from 1953 through 1960. Wikipedia Biography. In January of 1961, Eisenhower was about to turn the presidency over to its 35th officer, John F. Kennedy. Eisenhower gave his farewell address. He spoke of what he saw as America’s calling regarding peace and liberty and gave warning regarding war and the military-industrial complex.

“Disarmament, with mutual honor and confidence, is a continuing imperative. Together we must learn how to compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961

Letter of Amir al-Mu’minin (Imam Ali) to
Malik al-Ashtar, Governor of Egypt (Letter 53)
38 ah/658 ce

Read translations HERE and/or HERE

Imam Ali (pbuh) was an early leader of Islam and beloved kin of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The letter to al-Ashtar is rather lengthy and includes some administrative details. It is replete with wisdom regarding ruling a people with generosity and justice.

“Habituate your heart to mercy.”
“Unfasten every knot of hatred in the people and cut away from yourself the cause of every enmity.”
“The most conducive thing for . . . the ruler on his subjects is that he should extend good behavior toward them, lighten their hardships, and avoid putting them to unbearable troubles.”
“Fix for [the poor] a share from the public funds and a share from the crops of lands.”
“Do not reject peace to which your enemy may call you.”

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