by admin on December 7, 2007
We’ve been working on a new idea at Euphrates Institute. Solar Cells for Peace is an idea to improve the daily lives of Iraqis by meeting their acute power needs sustainably, using Iraq’s most abundant and renewable resource, the sun. We want to conduct a demonstration project to equip 100 homes in Baghdad, Iraq with solar generated power by Fall 2008. In so doing, we not only accrue benefit for US efforts in Iraq by showing Iraqis tangible evidence of American goodwill, but we also benefit Iraq’s physical environment and the well-being of its people through provision of a sustainable alternative to the dilapidated power grid or to expensive and polluting traditional generators.
There are many groups out there doing incredible alternative energy projects throughout the world, as well as projects closer to home. (You’ve all heard of Brad Pitt’s initiative in New Orleans’ lower 9th ward.)
Here are a few of the fantastic groups that have inspired me. Enjoy!
Solar Electric Light Fund
Blue Energy Group
Blue Energy Group’s Founder Mathias Craig’s philosophy
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by admin on December 7, 2007
There is the most incredible development taking place on finding common ground between Christians and Muslims. In response to the Pope’s comments in September disparaging Islam as medieval, a group of over 130 Muslim scholars responded with an open letter entitled “A Common Word Between Us and You”.
The letter identifies two “foundational principles” on which Christians and Muslims are duty-bound to work together: love of God and love of one’s neighbour.
The following is an excerpt from The Guardian’s December 1st paper:
“Love God, the letter states, is not only the basic message of the Quran; it is also the first and greatest commandment of the Bible. Jesus preached the need to love your neighbour as yourself, just as numerous injunctions in Islam emphasise the paramount importance of showering love and mercy on one’s neighbours. This common ground, say Muslim scholars, is sufficient for the two faith groups to build permanent bridges of peace. We are not asking for “polite ecumenical dialogue”, say the scholars. With Muslims and Christians locked in battle everywhere, fighting with the terrible weaponry of the modern world, “our common future is at stake”. Christians and Muslims need to rise above their differences and vie with each other only in righteousness and good work.
Go to this site for details, especially click on the tab, “Christian Responses” to see the letter in response to the Muslim scholars’ letter that was signed by over 300 American Christian leaders and was published as an ad in the New York
Times. You can also personally endorse the letter on the site!
A Common Word
Great things are happening! Developments like this are just what the Euphrates Institute stands for, finding our commonly held values and building bridges between humanity.
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