PulseJournal.com

WEST CHESTER TWP. — As the war between Israel and the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah enters its second month, many Muslims, Jews and Christians here are joining to pray for peace.

Hundreds of local residents met Monday night at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati to hold a candlelight vigil and pray for peace in the Middle East.

PHOTOS: View an audio sldeshow from the vigil

Sponsored by Muslim Mothers Against Violence, the vigil coincided with Amnesty International's call for cease fire vigils across the world.

Saba Chughtai, a MMAV member, said she was inspired to hold the event after reading a book her 14-year-old son is reading: All Quiet on the Western Front.

"As I read, I realized I could not be judgmental of any soldier, because in every soldier's face I could see my son's face," she said. "It doesn't matter who started what. It's just that these are kids who are our children."

Sister Alice Gerdeman from the Intercommunity Justice & Peace Center said the secret to peace is to adopt Chughtai's philosophy, mirrored by the teachings of Jesus to love enemies and pray for persecutors.

"There may not be a message that's harder to live (by) sometimes than that one," Gerdeman said. "If we would love them, they would no longer be our enemies and we would not be in the pitiful situation our world is in today."

Gathered in the parking lot of the mosque along Interstate 75, members of the interfaith group illuminated the night sky with candles as they prayed.

Though many called for an immediate peace, Rabbi Sigma Coran said she is hoping for a meaningful cease fire "where people's lives are not in danger."

Coran, who serves Rockdale Temple in Cincinnati, said the fighting can stop only when people in the Middle East value human life and dignity.

"Until everyone has that, nothing will change," she said.

Coran said her Jewish congregation is very supportive of Israel, but also feels strongly that many Lebanese have been unnecessarily caught up in the fighting.

Despite historical and current animosity between Jews and Muslims, Coran said it is impossible to make any difference without working together.

"It's meaningless if we aren't talking to each other," she said. "We don't just live in a vacuum."

MMAV is the initiative of more than 100 women following the London bombings last year. The group takes on the responsibility for teaching and guiding their children in principles of peace, love and mutual understanding, and collaborates with women of other religions.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5127 or cfullam@coxohio.com.