The Arab Educational
Institute (AEI-Open Windows) celebrates Christmas, Teachers Day and
International Day of Human Rights in Bethlehem and Ramallah
AEI-Open Windows
celebrated Teachers Day, the International Day of Human Rights, as well as
Christmas on December 16, 2009 in Ramallah, and on December 22 in
the Golden Park Resort in Beit Sahour. The celebration in Bethlehem was held
in the presence of the Mayor of Bethlehem, Dr. Victor Batarseh, and the head
of the Ministry of Education in the Bethlehem district, Mr. Abdallah
Shakarneh in addition to the AEI school network participating in the
interreligious project: Living in the Holy Land: Respecting Differences .
The celebration started
with the Palestinian national anthem and a moment of silence for the
Palestinians who died for their country. This was followed by the Christmas
Story in Christianity and Islam told by Father Issa Musleh, the official
spokesperson of the Orthodox Patriarchate, and Sheikh Maher Assaf, a Moslem
speaker who takes part in AEI’s Living in the Holy Land: Respecting
Differences project.
In his welcoming word,
the General Director of AEI-Open Windows, Fuad Giacaman, spoke about the
meanings of Christmas: joy, peace, hope, love and salvation, the need for
interreligious unity, the importance of the teachers’ role in our lives, the
significance of human rights, and how much they are needed in Palestine in
view of the injustice imposed on the Palestinians by the Israeli
occupation.
Afterwards, AEI- Open
Windows presented Dr. Victor Batarseh and Mr. Abdallah Shakarneh with
symbolic trophies in appreciation of their constant support for AEI’s
activities.
The AEI-Open Windows
Women Choir sang Christmas carols and performed a heritage drama scene
prepared for the occasion. Mr. Abdallah Shakarneh spoke about all three
occasions and showed his appreciation for the teachers. This was followed by
a reading of international wishes and prayers sent after an appeal by, among
others, the World Council of Churches and Pax Christi. All teachers received
a gift and a joint dinner was served.
The AEI Ramallah
Celebration included most of the activities presented in Bethlehem. The
Celebration was attended by the AEI school network in addition to the AEI
Choir Group and Dr. Barkat Fawzi from the Ministry of Education in Ramallah.
The party was held at the City Inn Hotel hall in Ramallah.
