Helping Victims of War (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

Pax Christi is a Catholic organisation that works for peaceful conflict resolution and is based upon principles of peace, reconciliation and nonviolence

Tearfund is a Christian charity which partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. They tackle poverty and injustice through sustainable development, by responding to disasters and challenging injustice

• Peace – based on justice.  A world where human rights are respected, basic needs are met and people feel safe and valued in their communities

• Reconciliation – a process which begins when people try to mend relationships between individuals or whole countries after times of violence or dispute

• Nonviolence – a way of living and making choices that  respect others, challenges what is not fair or just, and offers alternatives to violence and war

Some of the aims of the organisation are

• To support communities and individuals in conflict situations

• To work collaboratively across social divides

• To address the root causes of conflict, restore broken

  • relationships, and respond effectively to crises

Pax Christi has recently been working to try and support peace between Israel and Palestine and issued this statement about their aims;

"

'Pax Christi International underlines its unwavering commitment to the pursuit of peace, justice, and reconciliation. We stand in solidarity with all those who are suffering due to the continuing violence and urgently demand that the international community, governments, and all stakeholders unite in a resolute pursuit of a just and enduring resolution. Just peace for the people of the Holy Land can only be achieved through candid dialogue, robust cooperation, and unshakable respect for human rights'

Tearfund equip movements of peacebuilders, churches and communities to work together to prevent and respond to conflict

The response of the organisation focuses on addressing both the causes and effects of conflict

• They address the root causes of poverty and counter the issues that drive conflict, with a particular emphasis on building resilience and restoring broken relationships

• They work with individual peacebuilders to nurture, equip and connect them, enabling them to form movements of peacebuilders locally, regionally and nationally

• They work through churches, enabling them to fulfil their role as peacebuilders

This organisation consists of a group of Muslims who want to promote peace, justice and non-violence

This is a Muslim group who are inspired by their faith to try and help as many people as possible

• It strives to do good through Islam

• The group promotes peace through faith, and works to bring about changes that make society fairer and more compassionate for everyone

• This is done through raising awareness through organising events, prayer and working with people from other faiths to achieve peace

• They help people affected by war

• In Syria, they have given people who are in need essentials like food and healthcare

• They help refugees who have fled war by going to neighbouring countries by providing support, shelter and safety

• The Muslim Peace Fellowship recently organised a fundraising campaign organized in America to help the victims of the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting

• The campaign helped to raise money for medical bills and funerals for some of the victims

• Islamic Relief’s programme in Mali and Niger works with Community Hope Action Teams (CHATs) as they develop and implement social cohesion action plans

• For example, a project has empowered ten CHATs by providing them with training in social cohesion. They are supported as they work in their communities to address the roots of conflict and tension by facilitating dialogue, raising awareness, and strengthening inclusive participation in the community

• Muslim Peace Fellowship, Islamic Relief and other Muslim organisations help victims of war because the Qur'an and the teachings of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) teach about the sanctity of life

• Their work follows the teachings of the Quran:

'Whoever saved a life, it would be as if they saved the life of all mankind’ (Quran 5: 32)

• It is the duty of Muslims as vicegerents to protect the weak and innocent as this includes the victims of war