Spirit of Peace developed alongside a group of grassroots peacemakers known as Jerusalem Peacemakers. We have similar a commitment to nonviolent, heart centred and holistic peace building. The two founding directors of Jerusalem Peacemakers were Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bukhari and Eliyahu McLean.

Sadly the Sheikh passed away on the 31 May 2010.

Eliyahu continues the work . See our news page for more information on the current activities of the Jerusalem Peacemakers or visit their website.

Tribute to Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bukhari

If you ever received an email from the sheikh you would learn at the bottom of his signature, that in addition to being co-director of Jerusalem Peacemakers he was Sheikh of the Nakshabandia Sufi Order, Head of the Uzbek Community Center and Head of the Uzbek Cultural Center in Jerusalem. He was an important presence and voice for peace, in The Middle East and beyond.

However, having organised and accompanied him on several UK tours, it is something more personal which I would like to pay tribute to here. I have witnessed the deep way in which he touched so many lives. His humour, the twinkle in his eye and generosity of spirit left a lasting impression and the sheikh had many friends and supporters in the UK. Such was the impact he made that often long after he had returned to Jerusalem, I would hear from people of the important way Sheikh Bukhari had reached into their hearts and lives. This special essence which he radiated  is perhaps what many of us will most miss. As more people have heard of the sheikhs passing there has been a great sense of loss and grief, even from those who only met him quite briefly.

In recent months he increasingly announced to his listeners, ‘I may not have much longer – it is up to you now’, as he battled with heart disease, but it came as a great shock that his time with us was to be cut so very short.

Dear Sheikh Aziz, you will live in the hearts and minds of so many of us who are grateful to have known you and mourn the loss of a great humanitarian, spiritual guide and your good humour, sparkling eyes, and generosity of spirit.

Jane Ozanne

The sheikh passed away on the day that news of the attack on the Gaza flotilla made the headlines and so I offer the following prayer:

From Benedictus by John O’Donohue, ‘For Peace’:

We pray for all who suffered violence today,
May an unexpected serenity surprise them….

For those who risk their lives each day for peace
May their hearts glimpse providence at the heart of history….

That those who who enjoy the privilege of peace
Might not forget their tormented brothers and sisters….

And no hurt nor harm be done
Anywhere along the holy mountain.

For more information about the life of Sheikh Bukhari, visit this tribute on the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions website.