Three Cups of Tea...A New Way to Combat Terrorism

The seeming opposition between life and death is now cut through. Do not thrash or lunge or flee. There is no longer a container or anything to be contained. All is resolved in dazzling measureless freedom.
-- from the Warrior Song of King Gezar

After Greg Mortenson's failed climb to the summit of K2, he accidentally stumbles onto the remote Pakistani village of Korphe--and the rest, as they say, is history.

Much like what Umbau is doing in Rwanda as we speak, Mortenson is in the process of building schools (over 55 as of now) in remote, terrorist-ridden areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, so that children--more importantly, girls--can have the chance for learning and education. In this, Mortenson believes, lies the foundational key to ending terrorism once and for all. In his book, Three Cups of Tea, Mortenson and co-author David Oliver Relin, recount Mortenson's story from the very beginning up to our present day. From his failed climb on K2, seeing his first school completed, drinking tea with the Taliban, and to his meetings with Donald Rumsfield and Rep. Mary Bono--this is a thought provoking story of inspiration, justice, and provides a needed look at America's involvement in the war or terror.


An excerpt:

"It is by faith that Allah the Almighty has brought us together in this hour," Syed Abbas said...."Today is a day that your children will remember and tell your children and grandchildren. Today from the darkness of illiteracy, the light of education shines bright.
"We share in the sorrow as people weep and suffer in America today," he said, pushing his thick glasses firmly into place, "as we inaugurate this school. Those who have committed this evil act against the innocent, the women and children, to create thousands of widows and orphans do not do so in the name of Islam. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, may justice be served upon them."
"For this tragedy, I humbly ask Mr. George and Dr. Greg Sahib for their forgiveness. All of you, my brethren: protect and embrace these two American brothers in our midst. Le no harm come to them. Share all you have to make their mission successful.
"These two Christian men have come halfway around the world to show our Muslim children the light of education," Abbas said. "Why have we not been able to bring education to our children on our own? Fathers and parents, I implore you to dedicate your full effort and commitment to see that all your children are educated..." .....
"I request America look into our hearts," Abbas continued, his voice straining with emotion, "and see that the great majority of us are not terrorists, but good and simple people. Our land is stricken with poverty because we are without education. But today, another candle of knowledge has been lit..."
"It was an incredible speech," Mortenson says. "And by the time Syed Abbas had finished he had the entire crowd in tears. I wish all the Americans who think 'Muslim' is just another way of saying 'terrorist' could have been there that day. The true core tenets of Islam are justice, tolerance, and charity, and Syed Abbas represented the moderate center of Muslim faith eloquently."

Want to know more about Three Cups of Tea and how you can get involved? Check out their website.