Imagine the advances we could have made if we did not have this thorn in our feet? Imagine the numbers of lives that did not have to necessarily end? Many would say that all that we have gone through is part of the predestined plan, a test. I believe in this, but nowhere in any religious writing does it say that we must not promote peace and improve our world and the lives of the people, the myriad of species and the wonders created. As a Muslim, I am not speaking of blasphemy, yet there are those who would say I am, but I am just like you… I love the life Allah gave me and the opportunities Allah provides to excel and work together to make a postive difference. I, too, feel this idea for Jerusalem would be a positive cause for all young activists to rally around and make happen. The way up is steep and a lot of people may grow weak and fall off, but nobody said works of peace and purity was easy. We just have to be smarter and stronger than the ones who actively hunt us down or stand on the sidelines hoping we fail.

Ok, I’ve talked enough. With all of this energy, how do we put the ball in motion?

If the idea I am proposing were forced upon Jerusalem, well my excuse is that in the hands of any one state, the place is like a keg of dynamite and no single entity has proven they can bring peace there. Under international protection and under a flag of neutrality, I feel it stands a better chance and gives no more ammo for the extremists for Jerusalem would be a “World City”. If it could only be applied to the Old City, then that’s what it should be.

Not letting it happen (Jews and Arabs)? Then what do they propose? We, the collective world, are tired of the BS and the causes that result in nothing but further separation, further loss of life, further fuel for someone’s extremist fire and further loss of time, money and effort that could best be used in other parts of the world to fix the stuff we need to fix. I don’t understand why we, the world, can’t get it right.

I think it will be very difficult to divide the city, and am not sure what the best solution is to have both Israeli and Palestinian capitals there. One solution I read is to make the Old city like the Vatican, i.e., the same idea Dawoud proposed but only for the holy city, and have the joint international protection of its soverignty by the US, Arab League, EU, and Russia. I should also say that neither Israelis nor Palestinians want this solution, and maybe it should be forced upon them.

I’m not sure what to do with the rest of the city. Maybe have a powerful neighborhood governments to administer each area?

As for peace makers, check out this site.