Title: Peace and Brotherhood as Foundations of Christian and Human Life

Introduction and Thanks
His Holiness Pope Shenouda begins his address with greeting and thanks to His Highness Prince Mohammed bin Zayed for his invitation and generous hospitality, noting that the welcome they received is the most eloquent lesson in peace and brotherhood.

The Spiritual Core of Peace
The saint explains that peace is not merely a word but a melody that dwells in people’s hearts and a necessary condition for personal calm and a productive society. He links the concept of peace as a divine source in Christianity (“God is the God of peace”) with its counterpart in Islam, presenting peace as a divine attribute and a human requirement.

Types of Peace
He distinguishes peace into: peace with God (keeping the commandments), peace with people (relationships of love and reconciliation), and inner peace of the heart (calmness and absence of fear). He emphasizes that inner peace is indispensable for the individual.

Peace and Tolerance between Religions and History
He reviews historical examples of Islamic dealings with Christians (charters and orders guaranteeing churches and the safety of minorities), mentioning the stance of Umar ibn al-Khattab and Amr ibn al-As and the role of covenants in protecting rights, affirming the spirit of tolerance in Islamic law and its call for good treatment of the People of the Book.

Christian Teachings on Love
He refers to the teachings of Christ and the apostles that call for loving enemies, doing good, blessing persecutors, and overcoming evil with good, stressing the importance of meekness, calmness, and a compassionate disposition as the basis for fraternal relations.

Foundations of Psychological and Spiritual Forgiveness
He explains that forgiveness rests on broad-mindedness, love that binds people, and appreciation of others’ circumstances and traits, and that true strength is in self-control and calmness rather than in anger and clamor.

Conclusion and Call to Action
He concludes with a call to live in an atmosphere of love, affection, and brotherhood to present a radiant image of the faith, and he thanks the listeners for their attentive listening.

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