Hope for Peace

An Original poem by (sister) Judy Nelson-Eldawy

When I watch the nightly news
It makes me want to cry.
Kidnappings, hate crimes, this talk of war
And so many people who've violently died.
I ask why these terrible things happen.
Some say it's the environment raised in,
Some say it's just in the genes.
I say it's a lack of respect all around
That causes such evil to breed.
In school, we have many races.
There're kids Christian, Muslim and Jew
Yet we all work and play well together.
Why aren't adults able to do this too?
Allah created our wonderful world
In it, nature's diversity is plain
So why can't we celebrate the beauty of our differences?
Instead of making them excuses to cause suffering and pain?
As for me, I'll bid you all "As-Salaamu' Alaikum"
And hope that this is something the entire world will see.
For the Muslims, this is a farewell and a greeting
Meaning, "peace upon you be".