To be human is to...

Here is a beautiful poem by Sheikh Sa'di. It graces the entrance to the Hall of Nations of the UN building in New York. Dec 10 was the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While there may be questions about certain details, demanding consideration of diversity of opinions and cultural experiences, the idea of universal rights is still valuable. The idea has also found profound expression in the Islamic literature.

بنی آدم اعضای یک پیکرند
که در آفرينش ز یک گوهرند

چو عضوى به درد آورد روزگار
دگر عضوها را نماند قرار

تو کز محنت دیگران بی غمی
نشاید که نامت نهند آدمی

Human beings are members of a whole,

In creation of one essence and soul.

If one member is afflicted with pain,

Other members uneasy will remain.

If you have no sympathy for human pain,

The name of human you cannot retain.