Smoke Signals - Pakistan 4 of 6 - The Peace Pipe
Richard Twiss
Dec 22, 2007
 

Hau kola,
 
A very remarkable peace commission has been created in the City of Sialkot. Its purpose is to collectively work toward promoting, supporting and enforcing peace efforts among the diverse religious, ethnic, cultural, etc., groups in the city.
 
Anwar is the one Christian who as recognized as being a leader of influence and integrity selected to serve on the executive steering committee of thirty or so; over 100 members are part of the commission. With the exception of a Hindu man and Anwar, all our Muslims, including a dozen Mullahs and Imams. As a result of Anwar’s relationship Dave and I were invited to sit it on an official meeting of the Peace Commission.
 
I had brought a traditional “peace pipe” with me, looking for the Holy Spirit to show me the right time, place and person to give it to. This was it. As I took the pipe out of my bag and connected the red pipestone to the stem, I shared with the committee that in important meetings it was used to affirm ones pledge to truth telling.
 
As I was mulling over a bunch of thoughts to share, I felt the Holy Spirit give me a picture. In Pakistan marriages happen as a result of love or most frequently arrangements between families. I said it seemed as though America and Pakistan are in a relationship as a result of the will of God.  Though it is frequently a love / hate relationship, at this point in history we are nonetheless integrally connected as nations. As such we have a responsibility to work for understanding and peace between us.
 
I said I was speaking words of truth that there are First Nations followers of Jesus in America who are willing to walk with love and peace toward our “global neighbors” in Pakistan. My brief words were received with enthusiasm and appreciation. As we then departed the conference room for a group photo many of them shook my hand and thanked me.
 
After the conclusion of the committee meeting we moved to the DPO’s office for some final words and farewells. A Mullah and two other Muslim leaders were also sitting with us as we waited for the DPO to return. I asked several questions in between periods of silence. I felt to ask them, since we were all here, if there were any questions they would like to ask Dave and me and  it was like the dam broke, releasing a flood of impassioned questions. One Muslim leader asked why Americans, in particular George Bush as a Christian leader, hated Muslims so much.
 
As First Nations leaders, we told them we shared their concerns and readily identify with America being an imperial power, wreaking genocide among our nations in the name of God, the bible and manifest destiny. This fact opens their hearts and minds, as well as lends credibility to our responses. We are then able to tell that that it is Jesus who gives us the power to forgive our enemies and pray for those who acting wrongly/unjustly towards us. We then attempted to offer some perspectives as to why the American government makes the decisions it does.
 
However, after our critique of America, we point to fact that the Pakistani government makes similar decisions that make no sense to the average American, yet they are made, in their view with their best interest nationally and regarding foreign policy. Even Pakistani’s religious leaders make decisions that do not make sense.
 
As a example of the love/hate relationship, I was told that some ten years ago, the United States held a lottery for 100,000 free visas in Pakistan to the United States. Millions of people registered with the great hope of moving to/visiting America. The Muslim leaders said they do not hate the American people, but the policies of the United States government.
 
Because Pakistan enjoys “preferred trading status” as an economic partner with the US, there is heaps of American business interest in Pakistan.* McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Chevrolets’ and signs of America are emerging. It has inexpensive labor, minimal environmental laws and ready access to natural resources; a perfect formula for neo-colonial economic “partnership.”
 
I believe Jesus was pleased and honored by our words. Dave, later “gifted” the DPO and Mullah as we prepared to leave and we shared some words of blessing and peace. As we left the police headquarter, the DPO hugged and kissed us, sending us with his prayers and friendship.
 
Jesus is the Prince of Peace!
 
May we walk in peace toward all human beings, created in the likeness and image of the Almighty. Hope you enjoy a blessed time with family and friends.
 
Richard
Wiconi International
360-546-1867
www.wiconi.com
 
* FYI - [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3453.htm#econ]
President Bush and President Musharraf have affirmed the long-term, strategic partnership between their two countries. In 2004, the United States recognized closer bilateral ties with Pakistan by designating Pakistan as a Major Non-NATO Ally. President Bush visited Pakistan in March 2006, where he and President Musharraf reaffirmed their shared commitment to a broad and lasting strategic partnership, agreeing to continue their cooperation on a number of issues including: the war on terror, security in the region, strengthening democratic institutions, trade and investment, education, and earthquake relief and reconstruction. The United States and Pakistan concluded the sale to Pakistan of F-16 aircraft in late 2006, further reflecting their deepening strategic partnership. President Musharraf visited Washington in September 2006, where he held a bilateral meeting with President Bush and also participated in a trilateral meeting with President Bush and President Karzai of Afghanistan. The U.S.-Pakistan strategic partnership is based on the shared interests of the United States and Pakistan in building stable and sustainable democracy and in promoting peace and security, stability, prosperity, and democracy in South Asia and across the globe.