Pastor Ishmael Idu was a remarkably effective and courageous peacebuilder who worked principally on the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal, on the Guadalcanl Plains and in Malaita.
Pastor Ishmael Idu was a remarkably effective and courageous peacebuilder who worked principally on the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal, on the Guadalcanal Plains and in Malaita during and in the aftermath of the civil war between Malaitan Eagle Force and Guadalcanal combatants.
Ethnically a Malaitan, Ishmael had the courage to pass by the bunkers and cross no man's land in order to begin negotiating with Guadalcanal combatants. He went alone, unarmed and inspite of opposition from national church leaders and his wife. He was received and continued his peacebuilding work for 7 years, transforming a dreadful national conflict.
He turned enemies into friends, he guided communities out of cycles of violence by inviting them to "open the door of forgiveness". He initiated and led reconciliation ceremonies between Malaitans and communities on the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal. In 43 district centres he established "Peace & Good Order Committees" to direct reparation and restoration. He taught peacebuilding practice at grassroots level in local communities, in regional centres and nationally. He created and trained small groups of active peacebuilders who joined him, but initially he went alone.
He went where no one was prepared to go, and he went unarmed, alone and willingly. He surely is a national hero. A legend in his own short lifetime.
Pastor Ishmael Idu was a remarkably effective and courageous peacebuilder who worked principally on the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal, on the Guadalcanl Plains and in Malaita.
Pastor Ishmael Idu was a remarkably effective and courageous peacebuilder who worked principally on the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal, on the Guadalcanal Plains and in Malaita during and in the aftermath of the civil war between Malaitan Eagle Force and Guadalcanal combatants.
Ethnically a Malaitan, Ishmael had the courage to pass by the bunkers and cross no man's land in order to begin negotiating with Guadalcanal combatants. He went alone, unarmed and inspite of opposition from national church leaders and his wife. He was received and continued his peacebuilding work for 7 years, transforming a dreadful national conflict.
He turned enemies into friends, he guided communities out of cycles of violence by inviting them to "open the door of forgiveness". He initiated and led reconciliation ceremonies between Malaitans and communities on the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal. In 43 district centres he established "Peace & Good Order Committees" to direct reparation and restoration. He taught peacebuilding practice at grassroots level in local communities, in regional centres and nationally. He created and trained small groups of active peacebuilders who joined him, but initially he went alone.
He went where no one was prepared to go, and he went unarmed, alone and willingly. He surely is a national hero. A legend in his own short lifetime.