Justice is the only way to achieve peace and co-existence among

In the poignant words of Nadia Murad, "Justice is the only way to achieve peace and co-existence among the various components of Iraq." These words, spoken by a woman who has suffered the unimaginable and yet emerged as a powerful voice for human rights, carry the profound understanding that peace cannot be imposed—it must be built on the foundation of justice. Murad’s wisdom speaks to the ancient truth that without justice, no true peace can ever be achieved. Whether in Iraq or anywhere else, the components of a nation—its people, cultures, and communities—cannot coexist harmoniously unless they are treated with fairness, equality, and respect. Justice is the glue that holds together the diverse fabric of a society, and without it, divisions and conflicts persist, as we see in countless struggles throughout history.

Justice, the great philosophers have long taught, is not simply a matter of laws or punishments; it is the alignment of society with what is right and fair. In the teachings of Plato, justice is not just a political or legal matter but the foundation of harmony within the soul and the city-state. In The Republic, Plato argues that when individuals and communities are treated unjustly, discord arises. The harmony of society can only be restored when each member is treated according to their dignity and rights. Murad’s words echo this ancient understanding, emphasizing that only when justice is pursued with unwavering determination can there be a true possibility of peace and co-existence among the varied peoples of Iraq.

Consider, too, the ancient story of the Hebrew people and their struggle for justice. For centuries, they were oppressed and scattered across the lands, enslaved in Egypt and exiled from their homeland. Yet, it was the pursuit of justice—first in their liberation and later in their return to the promised land—that gave rise to their unity as a people. Moses, as the leader of the Hebrews, was not just a liberator in the physical sense, but a champion of justice. He led the people out of slavery, not only with the sword, but by ensuring that their freedom was rooted in a moral and just society. His laws, as recorded in the Torah, became a guide for the Hebrews to live in peace with one another, as each person’s dignity was acknowledged and upheld. Justice in their case was not just a matter of law, but of restoring harmony among people who had been divided and oppressed for generations.

In more recent history, Nelson Mandela provides another example of the profound importance of justice in achieving lasting peace. After spending 27 years in prison under the apartheid regime, Mandela emerged not with a heart of bitterness, but with a deep commitment to justice for all people of South Africa. His leadership, marked by a vision of justice and reconciliation, helped to dismantle the system of racial oppression and begin the long process of healing the wounds of division. Mandela understood, as Murad does, that without justice, peace is but an illusion. Justice, in his eyes, was not about vengeance but about creating a society where everyone could coexist with dignity and equality. His leadership brought a nation together, proving that justice is the essential pathway to peace.

In Murad’s own suffering—having been subjected to the horrors of sexual violence and slavery by ISIS—she could have easily turned to hatred or vengeance. Instead, she has chosen to advocate for justice, both for herself and for the countless victims of violence. Murad’s courage in the face of unimaginable trauma highlights the fact that justice is not only the right of the oppressed but the foundation for healing. Justice allows people to move forward from the wounds of the past, giving them the space to rebuild their lives with hope rather than hatred. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, where every individual is treated with the respect they deserve, and where reconciliation is possible because wrongs have been acknowledged and addressed.

The lesson in Murad’s words is timeless: without justice, there is no true peace. To achieve coexistence, whether within Iraq or in any part of the world, we must prioritize justice above all else. Justice must be pursued, not just for individuals but for entire communities. True peace is built on a foundation of fairness, where every person’s rights are upheld, and every voice is heard. It is not enough to desire peace; we must work tirelessly to create the conditions for it, through the establishment of just systems, the protection of the vulnerable, and the willingness to confront injustice head-on.

In our own lives, we must ask ourselves how we can contribute to the justice that will bring about peace in our communities. This may mean standing up for the voiceless, seeking to heal divisions, or advocating for fairness in situations where inequality persists. It is not enough to wait for change; we must become the agents of justice, helping to create a world where peace and coexistence are not just ideals, but living realities. As we work toward this vision, let us remember the wise words of Nadia Murad, and let them guide us as we strive to make justice the cornerstone of every action we take.