As timely as ever

Re: With an open mind, heart

Dan Byl writes: "A young man about my age, took the lead, we talked for almost an hour, he told me about the prophets, about Jesus, about Allah, and stories that both Islam and Christians share, he told me about the Quran, and about Muhammad, he shared with me an amazing synopsis of his belief system and all the while his companions passed me fruit and sat and listened as well. There was no awkwardness, no judgment, no puzzled looks on any of the faces as I asked questions."

Byl's observation reminds me of what happened on U2's 2005-2006 Vertigo Tour. About the halfway point of each concert, the band performed "Love and Peace or Else". Frontman Bono would don a white headband, bearing a handwritten version of the COEXIST image: an Islamic crescent moon for the "C", followed by "O", "E”, a Star of David for the "X", "I", "S", and a Christian cross for the "T".

At some concerts he would point to the three symbols on the headband and tell the audience: "Jesus, Jew, Muhammad, it's true... all sons of Abraham."

The lyrics include:

As you enter this life
I pray you depart
With a wrinkled face
And a brand new heart

I don't know if I can make it
I'm not easy on my knees
Here's my heart, I'll let you break it
I need some release, release, release
We need
Love and peace
Love and peace

Lay down
Lay down your guns
All your daughters of Zion
All your Abraham sons

"Love and Peace or Else" is as timely as ever. On May 21, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect, ending 11 days of fighting.

David Buckna, Kelowna