Salem-News.com Peace articles Page 9

Saga of a Dropout Doper

He inhaled lightly, tendrils of air curling into a vast space behind his closed eyes. As the sound continued, his mind became a darkness full of light, an emptiness that seemed to contain everything. Happiness welled up within him and he laughed.

(OLDENBURG, Germany) - At the age of 15 I decided I was going to be a writer. I loved books, and writing them seemed to be the greatest thing in the world to do. Now after eight books it still does.

But at first I had a terrible time writing. My thoughts were all jumbled up. I couldn't concentrate. I did poorly in school because I couldn't hold my mind on the assignments. I was too caught up in my psychological stress and subconscious conflicts to be able to really write or study.

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Week after bloody week, the chart of killings lengthens. And in Afghanistan, while war rages, a million children are estimated to suffer from acute malnourishment as the country faces a worsening hunger crisis.

(KABUL) - This month, from Atlanta, GA, the King Center announced its "Choose Nonviolence" campaign.

It is a call on people to incorporate the symbolism of bell-ringing into their Martin Luther King Holiday observance, as a means of showing their commitment to Dr. King's value of nonviolence in resolving terrible issues of inequality, discrimination and poverty here at home. The call was heard in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Conscientious Objector Omar Saad Sentenced to Prison for the Third Time for His Refusal to Join the Israeli Army

Omar is a young guy belonging to the Palestinian Arab Druze community.

(TEL AVIV New Profile) - Omar Saad, 18 years old from Mghar, a village in the Galil, arrived, Monday 13.1.2014, to the Induction Base in Tal Hashomer where he declared his refusal to serve in the Israeli Army. Omar was sentenced to 20 days of imprisonment for his refusal, in the military prison No. 6 near Atlit.

Omar is a young guy belonging to the Palestinian Arab Druze community. This community, in contrast to Arab society in large, was the target of a decision by Prime Minister Ben Gurion in 1956 that forced them to serve in the Israeli army.

Brilliant Thoughts by Great Thinkers

My choice of quotable thinkers hasn't been to those best known but to writers and speakers that many miss. Their ideas are all worth thinking about.

(MANAMA, Bahrain) - A favourite pastime of mine involves reading brilliant thoughts of wise men and women. I see their words, think about them, and save their messages when I believe they're worth keeping, rereading and sharing.

Sometimes these thoughts provide healthy advice for personal development, like this observation by Mohandas Gandhi: "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

650 Inmates Released from Bagram Prison

While nearly one year ago the Afghan government took over Bagram prison and there were 3,000 inmates, including 50 foreign inmates.

(KABUL Tolo News) - The Investigating Fates of Prisoners Committee (IFPC) on Tuesday revealed that 650 inmates previously housed in Bagram Prison have been released. The IFPC said that in total over 760 inmates at Bagram are being vetted for possible early release.

The committee said that most of the inmates were accused of involvement with the Taliban and the Hezb-e-Islami group led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, both anti-government groups, but there was insufficient evidence to hold them on those charges.

NATO Forces Casualties in Afghanistan Lowest in Six years

At least 1,788 US troops have been killed and some 19,541 in various incidents since the start of the U.S. invasion in 2001 through Dec. 30 in Afghanistan, according the US Defense Department.

(KABUL) - The US-led coalition security forces suffered the lowest number of casualties in Afghanistan in 2013, as compared to the past six years, the Associated Press reported.

However, Afghan national security forces casualties have significantly during the year, as Afghan forces took security responsibilities and combat lead across the country.

Hindu New Year Message: Replace Conflict with Reconciliation

Hindus have offered New Year’s greetings to the world.

(RENO) - Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today; wished peace, liberty, love, happiness and justice for the world during 2014.

We pray that 2014 bring hope and trust in which we, the people, flourish and build a new just world; devoid of inequalities, poverty and prejudices; Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, notes.

Food for Thought

Wake Up! You have slept for millions and millions of years. Why not wake up this morning? --Kabir

(MANAMA, Bahrain) - There's nothing quite like the use of metaphors in English to confuse, awaken and stimulate thought. Take the title of this article for instance. Is it about food? Or about thought?

For those adventurous enough to type "Food for thought" into the Google search engine, you'll find it's used for both--and more. One food-for-thought website provides a home for one-act plays. Another is a website that offers articles and a newsletter about Islam.

The Voice of Syria in North America: a Report on the Mother Agnes Tour

At Mother Agnes and Sister Carmel's first North America stop in Tucson, Arizona, this unidentified native American came to them and said, "I feel the need to protect you."

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Mother Agnes Mariam of the Cross says that although she received a warm welcome everywhere during her visit to North America, she also encountered more hostility than even in some of the opposition-held areas in Syria.

This may be an exaggeration, but it is certainly true that much of the battle for Syria takes place in the US and Canada.

תקופת כליאה שניה לסרבן המצפון עומר סעד الحكم Second Prison Term for Conscientious Objector

-الرجاء التعميم- Triple language article in Hebrew, English and Arabic.

(TEL AVIV ) - Omar Saad, 18 years old from Mghar, a village in the Galil, arrived, Sunday 22/12/2013, to the Induction Base in Tal Hashomer, where he declared his refusal to serve in the Israeli Army.

On 23/12/2013, Omar was sentenced to 20 days of imprisonment for his refusal, for the second time, in the military prison No. 6 near Atlit.