Our world is in the grip of a common enemy which has no care or thought for faith, nationality, culture or gender.
The coronavirus has shown it will strike anywhere and target the most vulnerable in our midst including the disabled, old and infirm.
The thought of it rampaging through the thousands of refugee camps around our troubled world is indeed a fearful prospect.
That is why we at the European Muslim League welcome the call for an immediate global ceasefire made by the
UN Secretary General, António Guterres.
EML is not alone in its views; our global peace ambassadors also fully endorse the call for an international cessation of all conflicts and welcomed similar calls made by the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis.
Speaking at his weekly blessing, delivered from the official papal library instead of St. Peter’s Square because of the lockdown here in Italy, he singled out the call for a global ceasefire so the world can focus on fighting the coronavirus pandemic and specifically mentioned the appeal Guterres had issued.
Despite some encouraging news in some parts of the world, it is clear the coronavirus epidemic is far from over, according to the World Health Organization.
While the United States recorded its deadliest day yet on Monday, with another 540 deaths taking its fatalities past 3,000, infections have now exceeded 770,000 cases worldwide. America, Italy and Spain have all overtaken mainland China in confirmed cases.
EML President Alfredo Maiolese said: "Parallels on the social effects of the pandemic have been made with World War Two and the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak which killed an estimated 50 million. Therefore we welcome the call by Mr Guterres and the endorsement by His Holiness, Pope Francis to bring an end to all wars so we can focus on this battle against Covid 19.
"It is vital that the UN is allowed to succeed in mediations for peace in the world's conflicts especially those in the Middle East. Humanitarian aid is already over stretched in countries like Syria, Yemen and Libya."
EML Secretary General, Yvonne Ridley added: "Millions across the Muslim word depend on aid for their existence and the arrival of this pandemic in the refugee camps and war zones will undoubtedly bring about the collapse of the already fragile health systems in place.
"Covid-19 is our common enemy and unless the world unites as one fighting this pandemic will be all the more difficult. The only way to respond is by bringing about a universal ceasefire in all wars so we can can use our energies, instead, to end this deadly pandemic."
In regards to the Call made by UN secretary general for immediate ceasefire between waring factions around the world, and there after endorsement/appeals by
RispondiEliminaEML President, EML secretary general, EML global ambassadors,
His Holiness Pope and various other eminent personalities, hope and pray that better sense prevail among the warlords setting aside ego, warring agendas etc etc instead they should realise that very dangerous situation due to corona viruse has put each one of us into war like situations all over the world.
As there will never be a clear winner in wars. But definitely in humanitarian situations by joining hands together in the larger intrest of mankind every one is winner.