The selected olive branch of Abrahamic Accord
Dr Liaqat Ali
The olive branch, a timeless metaphor for peace, is believed to originate from the story of Prophet Noah. When the dove returned with an olive leaf, it marked the end of divine wrath – a symbol of hope and reconciliation. Interestingly, the legacy of peace is deeply embedded in the Semitic religions, which trace their roots to Noah’s son, Shem – the forefather of Prophet Abraham.
Human history has witnessed the trials and triumphs of the great Prophet Abraham, who stood firm against the tyranny of Nimrud. Abraham’s lineage, which branched through his two sons – Ishmael and Isaac – forms the foundation of the three Abrahamic faiths: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The descendants of Ishmael settled primarily in the Arabian Peninsula and culminated in the arrival of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Isaac’s bloodline, on the other hand, extended through Jacob, Joseph, and many other prophets – followed by Jews through Moses, David, and Solomon, and by Christians through Jesus Christ, who is regarded as the second-to-last prophet in Islamic tradition.
This historical context is essential to understanding the term Abrahamic Accord – a phrase introduced by the United States in recent years to signify normalization and diplomatic agreements between Muslim-majority Arab states and Israel. In principle, such accords promise peace and regional stability based on shared Abrahamic heritage. However, to truly deliver peace, the scope of the accord must be inclusive and historically just.
The Arabian world, metaphorically referred to as four brothers – represented by the four corners of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah – includes Hijaz (modern-day Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar), Iraq, Al-Sham (the Levant), and Yemen. While the Abrahamic Accord has been extended to some states of Hijaz, the other three symbolic brothers continue to face war, unrest, and foreign intervention. This selective application of peace undermines the moral integrity of the accord.
Until the issue of Palestine is resolved justly and inclusively, any olive branch offered will appear partial and politically motivated. Peace cannot flourish while one side receives economic incentives and diplomatic recognition, and the other continues to suffer displacement, occupation, and military aggression.
It is time for US policymakers to reconsider the limitations of the Abrahamic Accord. For sustainable peace in the region, broader stakeholders such as Iran, Türkiye, and Pakistan – the only nuclear-armed Muslim nation – must be included in a more comprehensive regional dialogue. Such inclusion will lend legitimacy, balance, and long-term viability to any peace framework.
What is truly needed is a genuine reimagining of the Abrahamic Accord – one that recognizes shared faith, common humanity, and historical realities. Perhaps the vision should not be limited to an ‘accord’ shaped by geopolitical convenience, but expanded to reflect the principles of inclusivity and justice. In this context, it would not be misplaced to call for a new ‘Treaty of Madinah’ – one that brings together diverse communities under a framework of mutual respect, coexistence, and peace.
The writer is a clinician, medical educationist and researcher. He is working as a professor of urology at the Institute of Kidney Diseases (IKD), Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), Peshawar. He can be reached at: liaqatikd@gmail.com.
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