As I write this, Northern Ireland may not be all hugs and kisses, but the fighting seems to involve more political than physical bloodletting, and with luck the people might yet find a way of coming together. Yet in Iraq there is a Sunni v. Shi'a civil war justified by nominal doctrinal differences that non-muslims find as irrelevant today as seemed the Irish inter-Christian feud to a muslim then.

As the people of Northern Ireland face old fears and prejudices, it is hardly surprising that the transition from war to peace remains uneasy. Reconciliation is never easy.

The early muslims suffered abuse and torture at the hands of the local tribes, and as their numbers grew they had to face invasion and war. Loved ones were butchered on the battlefield, but when the Prophet’s community finally overwhelmed his persecutors, violent recrimination was forbidden.

Such an example of Islamic Reconciliation could be set by the Prophet, whose own power over his followers didn’t depend on force. After his death, however, after schisms and civil war, many of those who held power over the muslim world reflected little of his example.

But Muhammad’s faith continued in the way of life of the body of his people, and nowadays, few muslims would recognise the names of those men who were once all-powerful Caliphs - whereas the name of Muhammad is daily on the lips of a billion muslims around the globe.

Of course, we still have feuds, but most Christians would find it hard to tell the difference between one faction and another. But then, to a muslim a bloody fight between the followers of the Prince of Peace makes little sense.

The Irish fight seems to be more to do with Earthly Power than Christian Justice, and few can hold power but justice is for everybody. Let us hope that in their desperate need for a language of justice and reconciliation, the Irish people can find it in the language of their underlying unifying Christian faith. After all, Catholics and Protestants share churches in other places.

Qur’an says: “Co-operate with one another for virtue and heedfulness, and do not co-operate with one another for the purpose of vice and aggression.” and “Whenever two factions of believers fall out with one another, then try to reconcile them. If one of them should oppress the other, then fight with the one who acts oppressively until he complies with God’s command. If he complies, then set things right again between them in all justice, and act fairly. God loves those who act fairly.”