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Living in the Holy Land: Respecting Differences
A Work shop in
Bethlehem entitled
Educational methods in teaching about the monotheistic religions at Palestinian schools
June 5, 2009
Bethlehem from
George Zeineh Al Quads Newspaper.
The Arab
Educational Institute organized a three day
workshop on educational methods in teaching
about the three monotheistic religions.
Fr Dr. Faisal
Hijazieen Latin Parish Priest of Beit Sahour
and Sheigh Mahir Assaf- Islamic religious
studies teacher at SOS school in Bethlehem were
the speakers on the first day. The attendees of
this educational encounter were the AEI
administration, staff together with school
principles , teachers and students from AEI
school network in Ramallah & Bethlehem areas
who have been participating in the
interreligious project named "Living in the
Holy Land: Respect Differences"
The three day
workshop has been held at the Golden Park Resort
and hotel in Beit Sahour. The opening session
has included a welcoming word by the coordinator
Dr. Walid Mustafa. Readings from the Holy Bible
and holy Quran were read. The AEI general
director Mr fuad Giacaman welcomed the audience
and thanked school administrations, teacher,
students and all participants in this programme.
He extended his
congratulations at the end of the school year.
Mr Giacaman emphasized importance of this
teaching about the three religion in
strengthening brotherly relations, constructive
dialogue, building bridges of mutual respect
with the other. Such an inter faith project
helps also in deepening one's faith, and love in
addition to enhancing joint or common values and
principles after the plenary session. Mr . "
Atallah Danoun chaired a debate entitled ' the
importance of Pope Benedict xv1
visit to the Holy Land and its impact on values
of living together and coexistence among
adherents of the three religions. The two main
speakers were Fr . Dr. Faisal Hijazeen and
Sheigh Mahir Assaf. Fr Faisal highlighted the
success of the Pope historical visit on all
levels. He referred to His Holiness frank
positions regarding the establishment of a
Palestinian independent state. He also mentioned
the Pop's defence of the oppressed, the poor and
women's rights.
Father Hijazeen
mentioned in his evaluation presentation the
Pope's meeting with the statesmen and
governments officials, religious leaders from
all religious backgrounds during these
encounters The Pope focused on the culture of
dialogue, coexistence and living together as a
basis to achieve a just peace.
Sheigh Mahir
Assaf an Islamic religious teacher at SOS
school, talked about the role of the three
religions massages which call for love,
tolerance and love of God.
He also spoke
highly of the efforts exerted by the Palestinian
National Authority as well as the religious
leaders and all the Palestinian citizens in
making the pope's visit a great success through
their high standard of awareness an welcome.
The pope's
pilgrimage has a lot of positive indicators and
results on the Palestinian cause his holiness
successful and fruitful encounters were also
very touchy and informative. At last the Pope's
visit gave him the chance to witness the
catastrophe and suffering of our people due to
Israeli occupation represented by the siege and
the wall.
During this three
day workshop there will be many lectures and
discussion meetings about educational methods
in developing our teaching and learning about
one's other religion at schools. There will be
also a teacher training workshop about value and
moral dilemmas and critical situations and how
to use them as educational methods. The
programme of the three days will also include
lessons demonstrations by teachers in front of
students. There will be also an educational
fieldtrip to historical and religious sites
such as Hebron. An evening activity on the
occasion of the World Council of Churches "World
Peace Week " and The Naksa of 1967 will be held.
During this programme reading of wishes and
prayers for justice and peace will be pronounced
in front of the AEI Summud / Story House nearby
Rachel 's Tomb north of Bethlehem. During the
second day of the workshop there were three
sessions. The first was chaired by Mr. Yusif
Suleeman in which Dr. Barakat Fawzi supervisor
of Christians and Islamic Religions Education at
the ministry of Education in Ramallah , talked
about different educational methods and
techniques which can be applied by teachers in
teaching the three monotheistic religions in
the Palestinian schools.
During the
second session which was run by Mrs . Raeda
Shu'bi AEI coordinator in Ramallah Dr Toine
van teefelen AEI Development Director
discussed with the teacher some ways and methods
on how to deal with moral value dilemmas and
difficult situation , while teaching about the
religion of the other.
The Arab
Educational Institute holds an Activity for Just
Peace and the Anniversary of al Naksa.
Bethlehem from
George Zeineh - Al Quds newspaper.
The Arab
Educational Institute in Bethlehem (AEI :Open
Windows ) joined the World Council of Churches.
Programme entitled ' World Peace Week ' for just
peace and Al Naqsa anniversary commemoration.
This activity
accompanied the AEI methodology and training 3
day, workshop of the Living in the Holy Land .
Respecting Differences project with the school
network. The activity was held in the front of
the AEI Sumud / Story House nearly by the wall
at Rachael's Tomb area.
Some officials,
educators, internationals and AEI women's and
parents groups members attended the celebration.
The programme began with a welcoming word by the
AEI Sumud / story House Coordinator Mrs. Rania
Murra on behalf of the AEI In which she gave a
briefing about AEI nonviolent and educational
activities. Dr . Toine Van Teeflen the AEI
Development Director and Mr Feij Duim the
Dutch organization Church in Action project
coordinator spoke on the World Peace Week and
the participation of many churches members in
praying for justice and peace in Palestine and
the whole world.
Mr. 'Abdallah
Shakarneh ' Director of the Office of Education
in Bethlehem spoke about both the Naqba (Palestinian catastrophe of 1948 and Naqsa 1967/
Israeli occupation). He stressed the importance
of keeping and persevering our historical memory
especially for our future young generations so
as to stick to our legitimate rights and to
strengthen our Palestinian identity.
During this
celebrations, some women cultural, folkloric
heritage and story telling performances were
carried out. Wishes and Prayers received from
the World Council of Churches members and local
Palestinians were being read while a power point
presentations about other wishes was
demonstrated the Separation Wall.
A Silent candle
vigil took place at the end of the activities.
This started from the AEI / Sumud /Story House
till the Wall at Rachel's Tomb.
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