Footsteps Matter: The Battle Between Righteous Courage and the Evil of This World. No To War!

BLXCR Editorial — Special Edition

Across the world today, the voices of the people are rising with one clear message: justice, not war. From Gaza and Iran to parts of Africa, Venezuela, and even within our own communities in the United States, many are witnessing the devastating cost of conflict, instability, and injustice.

In the midst of these challenges, people of conscience are beginning to stand together across cultures, religions, and nations with a shared understanding: peace cannot be built through domination or destruction. True peace is built on freedom, justice, and equality applied to all humanity.

This special edition  calls on people of righteousness everywhere to recognize that the struggle for justice is universal. It is not about political loyalty or national divisions—it is about standing on the side of what is right.

History has always shown that when decent people unite with moral courage, they can challenge injustice and inspire change.

The question before us today is simple: Will we follow the footsteps that lead to conflict, or will we walk together on the path of justice?

The future of our world depends on that choice.

“O you who believe! Enter into submission one and all, and do not follow the footsteps of the devil. Surely he is your open enemy.”— Qur’an, Surah (2:208)

In a world filled with noise, conflict, and confusion, this verse stands as a clear reminder that faith is not meant to be partial or convenient. God calls the believer to enter into submission completely—mind, heart, and action. Submission to the will of God is not simply a statement of belief; it is a way of life that demands moral courage, discipline, and a commitment to righteousness even when the world around us moves in the opposite direction.

The warning about following the footsteps of the devil is significant. Footsteps suggest a gradual path. Rarely does misguidance begin with something obvious. Instead, it begins with small compromises, quiet justifications, and the slow erosion of our moral compass. Over time, those small steps can lead societies and individuals far away from the principles of justice, compassion, and truth.

Today we see the consequences of those footsteps all around us. Around the world, innocent lives are being lost, families are suffering, and entire communities are struggling just to survive. There are children without food, parents without hope, and nations caught in cycles of violence and instability. For many people, justice seems distant while power appears to speak louder than truth.

For those of us who have families, children, and loved ones we cherish, it is impossible not to imagine the pain of those who have lost everything. Imagine an atrocity happening to your own family and the world remaining silent. Imagine seeking justice only to be criticized or silenced by powerful forces that refuse accountability. These realities force us to ask serious questions about the moral direction of our societies.

There is a deep hypocrisy that often appears on the global stage. Nations and leaders are quick to label others as dictators or enemies, yet when we examine the long history of colonialism, exploitation, and violence carried out by powerful empires, we see another side of the story. For centuries many lands have been invaded, resources taken, cultures disrupted, and people disenfranchised. The same powers that condemn injustice abroad have often ignored the injustices committed in their own history or even in the present day.

This is not about blind patriotism or partisan loyalty. It is about truth and moral clarity. We must be careful not to allow nationalism, politics, or propaganda to blind us to what is unfolding before our eyes. When human life is treated as expendable, when people are hungry and struggling while power consolidates wealth and influence, it is a sign that something in the system is deeply out of balance.

Yet even in the midst of hardship, those who are able to maintain some level of peace, stability, and provision should see it as a blessing. But blessings also come with responsibility. We cannot forget those who are suffering simply because we are comfortable. Compassion must extend beyond our neighborhoods, beyond our political tribes, and beyond our borders.

This is where our humanity must rise above division. Decent people with a moral compass must come together and find the common denominator of civilization. Freedom, justice, and equality are not ideas meant for one group or one nation. They are universal principles that must apply to all people regardless of race, religion, or nationality.

Too often we place our faith entirely in systems and institutions that show signs of failing us. History has shown that empires and governments can rise and fall when leadership becomes disconnected from justice and accountability. The story of the Titanic serves as a powerful metaphor. A massive ship believed to be unsinkable sailed forward with confidence, ignoring warnings about the dangers ahead. Poor judgment and poor leadership led to catastrophe and the loss of many lives.

When leadership prioritizes power, profit, and control over justice and service to the people, we witness a similar dismantling of trust and stability. People will only remain silent for so long. When their voices are ignored and their suffering dismissed, eventually they will stand up and demand change.

However, the path forward is not one of chaos or blind rebellion. The solution lies in returning to righteousness and unity under the guidance of God. True change requires courageous individuals who are willing to stand for truth even when it is unpopular. It requires people who refuse to follow the footsteps of the devil and instead commit themselves to justice, compassion, and accountability.

In our time, we also see many individuals in positions of leadership—local leaders, mayors, community organizers—who are striving to bring about correction and fairness. But they cannot do it alone. The support of the people is necessary. A healthy society requires citizens who are engaged, informed, and guided by moral principles rather than blind loyalty to political parties or ideological camps.

We must move beyond the small circles and divisions that separate us. Unity cannot exist if we remain trapped in cliques, factions, and labels. Submission to the will of God calls us to a higher standard of cooperation and mutual respect.

There is also a symbolic struggle unfolding before us. Imagine the world as a battlefield with three snakes representing dangerous forces influencing society. One snake pushes moral decay and destructive social values that weaken the fabric of family and community. Another snake promotes colonial domination, racism, and endless war for power and resources. Between them stands a third snake—the hidden manipulator, the magician who quietly influences both sides while pulling the wool over the eyes of the people.

Many become distracted by the left snake or the right snake while ignoring the one in the middle that manipulates the entire conflict. But nature gives us another symbol—the mongoose. The mongoose is small compared to the snake, yet it possesses courage, agility, and resilience. It does not fear the snake’s poison because it knows how to confront it directly. In many ways the mongoose represents the spirit of the righteous individual who refuses to be intimidated by deception, fear, or manipulation.

When people adopt the spirit of the mongoose—courageous, disciplined, and morally grounded—they become capable of confronting even the most poisonous forces in society.

This does not mean violence or rebellion. It means standing firmly for what is right. It means speaking truth when silence would be easier. It means refusing to participate in systems that devalue human life.

Across the world today—from Gaza to parts of Africa to rising tensions in the Middle East—we see the devastating cost of war and political struggle. Too many lives have been lost, too many families have been destroyed, and too many communities are living under the shadow of fear and instability.

If humanity is to survive these challenges, we must rediscover our shared moral responsibility. We must reject the footsteps of Satan—division, cruelty, arrogance, and deception—and instead follow the path laid down by God: justice, compassion, humility, and unity.

The kingdom of God is not simply a distant hope. It is a vision of a world where righteousness governs human behavior and where justice is applied fairly to all. But bringing that vision into reality requires people who are willing to stand as righteous soldiers—not soldiers of destruction, but soldiers of truth, courage, and moral integrity.

The future will depend on those who refuse to be blind to what is happening in the world. It will depend on those who recognize that true strength lies not in conquering land or resources, but in protecting human dignity and honoring the sacred value of life.

Let us therefore commit ourselves fully to the will of God. Let us walk the path of righteousness with clarity and courage. And let us remember that unity among decent human beings may be the greatest protection we have against the poisonous forces that seek to divide and destroy.

When we stand together for what is right, the poison of the snake loses its power.