I have the responsibility to translate peace and stability for

"I have the responsibility to translate peace and stability for future generations." These words, spoken by Nadia Murad, resonate with the deep truth that the peace and stability of one generation do not simply exist in a vacuum; they are a legacy, a gift that must be carefully passed on to the next. Murad, a survivor of unimaginable trauma, is not merely speaking of personal healing but of the greater responsibility we all carry—to ensure that the pain and suffering of the past do not define the future. The responsibility to bring peace and stability is one that weighs heavily on those who have suffered, yet it is through this very suffering that they become the torchbearers for a better world, capable of lighting the way for those who come after them.

In the ancient world, leaders and prophets alike understood the sacred duty to preserve peace for future generations. Take, for example, the wisdom of King Solomon of Israel. Solomon, known for his unparalleled wisdom, understood the importance of stability within his kingdom. His reign was marked by prosperity and peace, but he also recognized that the work of building a lasting peace was not his alone. It was a collective effort, one that he passed on to his children and successors. Solomon’s teachings, recorded in the Proverbs, echo the sentiment that peace is a gift, something to be passed down and nurtured, ensuring that future generations could live free from the turmoil and suffering that plagued those who came before them.

Consider also the great story of Alexander the Great, who sought to unify the known world under one empire. In his conquests, he laid the groundwork for an era of relative peace—the Hellenistic period. Yet, after his death, his empire fractured, and the peace he built crumbled. Alexander’s failure to establish a stable system of governance left his empire in disarray. The wisdom here is not just in the conquests he made, but in the way peace must be instituted for the future, so that it endures beyond one generation. This lesson speaks directly to Murad’s message—true peace is not merely achieved in a moment of victory; it requires careful planning, compassion, and the deliberate passing of wisdom to the next generation to ensure its longevity.

Nadia Murad, in her own story, embodies this principle of translating peace and stability for future generations. A Yazidi woman, Murad was subjected to brutality and slavery at the hands of ISIS, yet she chose to survive, not for herself alone, but to give voice to the suffering of her people. Through her advocacy, she has brought the stories of victims to the world, and through her courage, she calls for the creation of a lasting peace—one that is not just a cessation of violence but a commitment to healing, reconciliation, and the restoration of human dignity. She has become a beacon of hope for those who believe that peace is possible, even after the most horrific of injustices.

In the midst of our own tumultuous times, Murad's words remind us that the duty to build peace is not just the work of those in power, but the responsibility of each of us, whether we are victims of violence or witnesses to it. The lesson here is that peace is never a passive condition, nor is it something that is simply given. Peace requires effort, sacrifice, and a commitment to the well-being of those who come after us. It demands that we do not remain silent in the face of injustice and that we take action to build and preserve the foundations of stability. Murad’s commitment to future generations speaks to a universal truth: peace must be actively created, nurtured, and handed down, lest it slip away like sand through our fingers.

The practical actions that Murad urges us to consider in our own lives are clear. Each of us must look to the future, not just as something we will experience, but as something we are responsible for shaping. Peace is not a distant ideal, but a living force that must be tended to. Whether it is in our homes, our communities, or on the world stage, we must all take part in translating peace and stability to future generations. This might mean standing up for human rights, supporting victims of injustice, or simply choosing compassion and understanding over division and hatred. It may also mean making personal sacrifices—whether by sharing resources, offering support to the oppressed, or working to educate future generations on the importance of peace and tolerance.

Murad’s vision is a call to action for us all. It is a reminder that we are not just living for ourselves, but for the future. In every decision we make, we must ask ourselves: Does this contribute to peace? Does this honor the responsibility I carry for the well-being of others? Peace and stability cannot be assumed; they must be actively built, protected, and passed down. And just as Murad has shown through her own life, no matter the depth of suffering we may endure, we all have the power to shape the future with our actions, ensuring that peace becomes the inheritance of generations to come.

In your own life, reflect on how you can contribute to peace. In a world that often feels divided, how can you ensure that your actions, words, and choices bring about healing and unity? Recognize the immense responsibility we all share in shaping the world for those who will come after us. Murad's words are a challenge to all of us—to not only live for the present but to build a legacy of peace that will endure for generations. Peace is not just a gift; it is a task, one that requires all of us to work together, in compassion and commitment, to ensure that the future is one of hope, stability, and justice.