A team of friends have paused to take inventory of the remarkable success in a peacekeeping model we call “Trac5.” Along with the other traditional tracks of engagement it contributed to the rapprochement with Libya, deployment of UN Peacekeeping Forces in Darfur, release of 20 Korean Christian missionaries taken hostage by the Taliban, and recently the release of two girls charged with apostasy for “converting to Christianity” in Iran.

Our model is spiritually and relationally focused, grounded in the example of Jesus and fueled by stunning linguistic breakthroughs in the Semitic Holy Books. It is designed to mobilize and organically network emerging, spiritually-grounded “people movements” in over 100 countries, enabling them to support their leaders in incorporating Trac5 peacemaking values, and empowering the peaceful majority to undermine radicals bent on destruction.

Most constituents of the Abrahamic faiths believe that there is little hope of forging peace between Muslims, Christians and Jews. Many see fundamental common ground as a fantasy, with any apparent progress being at best temporary and historically unsustainable.

In this context, Trac5 stands out as a unique, tested approach to conflict resolution, particularly in the religious context. Traditional politicals strategies have failed to sufficiently address the root causes of human conflict, centered in enmity and alienation in the human heart. If and when such factors are considered, these approaches rarely incorporate a spiritual solution such as forgiveness. Trac5 utilizes education, engagement and resources to bring people together — not just conceptually but relationally — to pursue peace, keying on breakthrough insights from the Semitic holy books.

Trac5 can significantly reduce the negative impact of conflict on a region or people, beginning by personally engaging key leaders. Trac5 then assists in further bridge-building, development, and education after the relationship begins. One critical outcome of this process is the systematic undermining of militant ideologies, which threaten both East and West.

Finding faith-based common ground raises the level of understanding and gives people a place to breathe, and to respect each other. People weary of fear tactics and hate-mongering yearn for viable alternatives and spiritually-grounded solutions. Propaganda and zealotry are undermined when people experience authentic, faith-based bridging relationships and gather around creative, proactive solutions to shared challenges.

To learn more about Trac5, please visit us at www.Trac5.org.

MAS/ICNA 8th Annual Convention

Mark and several friends were able to take part in the Muslim American Society’s 8th Annual Convention in Chicago this past weekend.  Watch Mark’s talk on the panel at his YouTube channel!

A panel of friends and fellow peacemakers was the focus for Saturday’s afternoon session hosted by Dr. Abdel Azim Elsiddig, including words from Dean Koldenhoven, former Mayor of Palos Heights, IL; Pastor Bill Devlin of Manhattan Bible Church; Jeff Burns, Founder of Peace on Earth Initiatives; Dr. Rick Love, Consultant for Christian-Muslim Relations at Vineyard USA and Founder of Peace Catalyst Intl.; Carl Medearis, author of “Muslims, Christians and Jesus”; Hal Runkel, author of “ScreamFree Parenting,” Rick Jackson, Colorado Springs businessman, developer and peacemaker in Sudan; and Jay Moses, Presbyterian Church USA and Muslim-Christian Coordinator at Wheaton College.

The speakers each shared from their life and journey as peacemakers and encouraged listeners to rise to the challenge of building bridges across the faith divide. Featuring such diverse stories and experiences all at once allowed a picture of God working in each one by means of the various and unique paths that each individual has taken in their life.

Speakers were also invited to attend a dinner that evening where others shared from their work, including Islamic Relief, a worldwide leader in alleviating poverty.  Mark was invited as the keynote speaker and offered encouragement and examples of the common ground that can be found between Muslims and Christians, but also issued a challenge that we must move beyond niceties and cultivate an openness and willingness to discuss and wrestle with areas of difference.

Many thanks for the generous hospitality of the Muslim American Society’s staff and organizers for hosting this delegation, especially to Dr. Elsiddig who has personally befriended each panel speaker, and to Convention Chairman, Mr. Hussein Ata.

The title of Martin Sieff’s review in today’s Washington Times, “From enmity to friendship” encapsulates the core message Mark shares in ADM.  Focusing on the timeliness of this book in an era that “hinge[s] to an unprecedented degree” on the discord between Muslim and Christian, Sieff highlights the extraordinary support the book has received from both political and religious leaders, and the strong ties that Mark has in both spheres of influence.  Acknowleding Mark’s unorthodox approach to conflict resolution, Sieff goes on to state “Yet Mr. Siljander is no pie-in-the-sky impractical dreamer. As a veteran politician, he understands the nature and danger of the extreme Islamist fundamentalist challenge exceptionally clearly, and his insights on the problem are some of the clearest and most cogent that have yet been published.” Click here for more.

Martin Sieff is defense industry editor for United Press International. He has been nominated three times for the Pultizer Prize for international reporting. His latest book is “The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Middle East.”