There are encouraging signs of change. Small perhaps, for the moment, but certainly significant. The Belgians admit they killed a man in Africa. They regret the act, and have no intent to repeat it. They say they are out of the targeted assassination business, wishing they had never entered it, and now are making large monetary contributions to the country to promote reconciliation. It is a great and a magnanimous act. It is a model for the other nations of the world.

In Israel the reserve officers and men have familiarised themselves with the findings of the Nuremberg trial, which holds them guilty of war crimes if they obey unjust orders. They will no longer kill innocent Palestinian men, women and children in the occupied territories. It is a matter of conscience. Though they are uniformed soldiers, sworn to obey orders from their superiors, they denounce the brutal policies of the Sharon government. They recognise the authority of a higher power.

Two thousand years ago a man was killed by a mob. The governor was powerless to stop the proceedings, but he stated to the howling crowd, "I wash my hands of the killing of this innocent man." As the Roman governor of Palestine, he was in a position of authority, but he could not stop the event. He did not want to be held responsible. Therefore, he publicly "washed his hands."

There have been few such declarations in recorded history. The reasons are clear; none want to pay the consequences. None want their acts, carried out in stealth, to become known. Evil loves the darkness of secrecy, and cannot stand the light of day.

When the crusaders returned from the Middle East after years of contact with the Muslims of the Islamic world, it was noticed with horror that many of the gallant knights had become attracted to the ways of the followers of "Mahomet." They were persecuted and sometimes killed.

The Christian world was a Catholic world, and any threat from Islam was regarded as heresy. It was attacked ruthlessly, with the notorious tribunals known as the Inquisition condemning those not capable of finding a defense. The internal corruption and injustice was not addressed until Martin Luther made a public denunciation. The Christian world was split, and the breach has never healed, though forgiveness and brotherhood are the cornerstones of the Christian faith.

Today the confrontation between Christianity and Islam makes headline news. There are many Muslims in Western countries; the number of mosques is surprising. Christians are becoming aware of Islam, and many have found peace of mind and serenity after formally converting to the Islamic faith. Islam is purely spiritual, and has no interest in material pursuits.

In Guantanimo Bay each morning, before the first light of the sun appears, the prisoners awaken and wash themselves in preparation for the first prayer of the day. For a Muslim, prayer cannot be performed without cleansing the hands, arms, head and feet. One must be clean before approaching Al Lah (the God). Then the prisoner orients his prayer rug so he faces Mecca when standing at its foot, grasps his forearms across his chest and enters into a deeply serene contemplation of man's humble status in the vastness of the universe.

He seeks communion with the source of the great order found in the night sky. From acceptance of his true insignificance and helplessness in the greater scale of the universe, he experiences a deep sense of peace. It is a great irony. In submission to the reality of his smallness, he derives the strength to be at once strong and whole. He finds the strength to follow the instructions of his heart, to do good and fight evil. He easily gives his life to the effort.

The marine guards who observe the daily prayers do not understand. Yet they are affected. It may be years later, but they will remember what they saw. They construct monstrous explanations in an attempt to explain what they witness. They may consider it pagan and primitive. They see that the men they guard are clean. They have washed their body. They have washed their soul. It shows on their faces; it shows in their eyes.

Marines do not kneel readily, and neither is it considered manly to pray. They certainly would not kneel to pray in a public place, and never when to do so might be considered weakness. Yet they have seen the courage, the bravery of these men in defeat. Their quiet determination; their indomitable will. They are not bad men. They are not evil. They are good men; brave warriors fighting for their cause. It is impressive. Marines admire bravery, especially in the enemy.

The marines, to each other, and to their superiors, will deny that what they see in front of them has any meaning. They will shrug it off as the idolatry of ignorant and vicious men devoid of education or culture. But they will see the devotion, the indifference to the jeers of their captors. And the prayers; they see the men at their prayers. Every day, five times every day, they see the men at their prayers.

In humble submission, the prisoners commune with that which is unimaginable, immutable, and from which comes their joy and their strength. Yes, they are happy men, prone to laugh and sing. They find it easy to accept things as they are. They are Muslims, and a good Muslim makes a great friend.

The hardened marines have difficulty demonising the men in the cages. These are obviously pious men. They spend hours memorising the Qu'ran. They venerate the writings of their spiritual leader, a prophet, who teaches them a wholesome and happy way of life. They have the inner peace and serenity that visitors repeatedly report as "docility."

East meets West. Heart touches heart. Not always, but certainly the inner humanity of each man, captor and prisoner, is brought closer together. In such confrontation there is always potential for mutual understanding. It is time for washing of the hands, for admission of error, and a desire to make amends. Let us not kill each other.