May Peace Be Upon You

MANILAL ROOPA lives in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He is retired after a career as an educator and facilitator for over 50 years, and continues to work as a Heartfulness trainer, which he has done for over 30 years. As a “colored” under Apartheid in South Africa, he has been through much and seen a lot of social change during his life, radiating peacefulness and love throughout.

- MANILAL ROOPA

Over two billion people around the world exchange this beautiful greeting. It is in Arabic and uttered by every Muslim several times a day. Over a quarter of the world’s population are greeting each other with this prayer for peace. I am honored that many of my Muslim friends greet me this way.

Over a billion Hindus greet each other by joining their palms and saying “Namaste,” meaning “I bow to the Divine in you.”

Over three billion Christians refer to Jesus as the “Prince of Peace,” and many say the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi:

My silent prayer is that more and more of us embrace this idea of peace every day of our lives.