If only peace was this easy...

Saw this one excerpt below:

Anwar Ibrahim in an interview with Time magazine in June 1996:

Democracy is a gradual process that comes when society matures. We have to reach a stage where people must be given the rights and confidence that come with democracy. . . . It is not fair to insist that we mature in a few years. So you ask me, are we a complete democracy as understood by some countries in the West? Then I would say no. But if you say therefore that democracy is alien to Asia, I would certainly say no. Because the issue of human rights -- fundamental differences, freedom -- is very much in our religious teaching, be it Islam, Christianity or Confucianism. So to consider democracy as something alien to us is in my mind unacceptable. . . .

I think Islam teaches enough tolerance and understanding. But one problem with Islam is the prejudice of the West against it: anybody who practices Islam is a fundamentalist. Islam in Southeast Asia is a unique experience. If you are a good practicing Muslim in Malaysia, you are a democrat, you are tolerant, you try to learn and understand other cultures and religions. You don't need to force Islamic laws on others.

SOURCE

Now if people could actually understand the true meaning of tolerance. If one could have everyone dispel their xenophobic ways. If we are to get anywhere as the 'Human Race', this is an obstacle we will have to overcome. Everyone needs to improve. Not just one side of the coin.

People of the Book in general, are not very different. The only difference we have is culture. There is no Islamic fundamentalists. Just terrorists. Terror is not a fundamental of any religion (no religion teaches killing of innocents). With that, neither is it a teaching of any religion to be imposing on others. Coercion, and belief have no ties what-so-ever. This goes for those without a belief or those who believe in something else. Everyone in their own way. No one tells the other what is right or wrong because right and wrong (apart from the general consensus) is subjective to culture and person.

Fear and hate come natural. Learn about your neighbor. And do not be quick to judge. Go out into the world. It is a lot bigger than you think.

In the end, we are all brothers (and sisters) in the human race. No one better than the other, instead, one is as bad as all others (a more humble view - if you will - strive to be better).