In times of war, you often hear leaders—Christian, Jewish, and Muslim—saying, ‘God is on our side.’ But that isn’t true. In war, God is on the side of refugees, widows, and orphans. Greg Mortenson More Quotes by Greg Mortenson More Quotes From Greg Mortenson My father ended up starting the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, which is on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. My mother started a school. Greg Mortenson christian mother father Yes, I was detained for eight days in Waziristan in 1996. It was against my will, and my passport and money were taken from me. I was not mistreated or harmed, but I was also not allowed to leave. Greg Mortenson passports eight taken The tune was too ingrained for Mortenson to consider the novelty of this moment- an American, lost in Pakistan, singing a German hymn in Swahili. Greg Mortenson hymns singing tunes The Koran and Islam is about submission, justice and compassion. All people of the "book" - which means the Torah, Koran and Bible are accorded equal respect under Islam. Greg Mortenson compassion mean book The solution to terrorism is education, not bombs. Greg Mortenson bombs terrorism motivational The Pathan people of Waziristan are proud people who I greatly admire. Greg Mortenson admire proud people Really, what education does is it gives opportunity, but it also gives hope. Greg Mortenson doe opportunity giving I used to climb mountains a lot; I decided to go to Pakistan to climb K2, the world's second-highest mountain. I didn't get quite to the top. Greg Mortenson pakistan mountain world I say if you fight terrorism, it's based in fear, but if you promote peace, it's based on hope. Greg Mortenson terrorism fighting ifs Haji Ali taught me to share three cups of tea, to slow down and make building relationships as important as building projects. He taught me that I had more to learn from the people I work with than I could ever hope to teach them. Greg Mortenson important tea people But what I really believe is education is a key to pretty much everything - prosperity, economics, peace, stability. Greg Mortenson prosperity keys believe Liberals, conservatives, Muslims, Jews, Christians, and I find - I think education is something that can bring us together. Greg Mortenson christian together thinking My work to promote education and literacy in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan has become my life's mission. This takes a full-time commitment 365 24/7. Greg Mortenson afghanistan literacy commitment Yes, I first visited Korphe village, Braldu valley, Baltistan, Pakistan, after failing to summit K2 in 1993, and met Haji Ali, a long time dear mentor and friend. My second visit to Korphe was in 19 Greg Mortenson mentor valleys long I decided in '96 to dedicate my life to mostly promoting literacy and education for girls in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Greg Mortenson literacy pakistan girl In tribal society, the most important thing to do when civilians are killed in a skirmish is to acknowledge the deaths, and provide compensation. When tribal clans fight, the victor is required to take care of the vanquished widows and orphans, which puts a limitation on bloodshed, and tempers warring groups to try and negotiate a compromise. Greg Mortenson fighting important trying In America we now live more in fear than in hope, and eventually that will lead to ignorance and hatred. We need to have optimism that the world can be a better place, and we can leave a legacy for our children. Being bilingual, travel and studying geography, culture and religions can help. Greg Mortenson optimism ignorance children I've actually spent about half of my life overseas in the third world. I grew up in Tanzania, East Africa, and later lived in South-West Asia. In general, everywhere I go, I am treated with great respect and hospitality, but I need to be sensitive to cultural, tribal and ethical customs of the local people. In this modern era of technology, I think we forget that the most important thing when traveling is to listen and learn, and establish relationship, and not be hidden behind technology like Goretex, emails, satellite phones, and insulated from the people around you. Greg Mortenson technology people thinking Our greatest ally in the Pakistan region of turmoil is the moderate Muslim majority, who we must reach out to and embrace if we ever are to have peace for our children. Greg Mortenson reach-out embrace children
