The Arab
Educational Institute celebrates the
International Day of Prayer for Peace and a
Ramadan Iftar meal in Bethlehem and Ramallah
The Arab Educational Institute in
Bethlehem, member organization of Pax
Christi International, celebrated the
International Day of Prayer for Peace and a
Ramadan Iftar meal. In Bethlehem at the
Central Restaurant Hall in front of the
Separation Wall at Rachel's Tomb, and in
Ramallah at the Mexican Restaurant Hall.
The Bethlehem celebration was attended
by the Mayor of Bethlehem, Dr. Victor
Batarsah, the Archimandrite Artinios – the
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate deputy, Sheikh
Muhammad Ismael 'Ayesh – Director of the
Islamic Waqf in Bethlehem, and Mr. Abdallah
Shakarneh – Director of the Ministry of
Education office, in addition to some
religious leaders and a number of invitees
representing some officials, and educational
civil society Christian and Muslim
organizations who attended this interfaith
encounter.
The EAPPI Bethlehem team (World Council
of Churches program) and members of the AEI
advisory board, and women’s group members
and staff were present too. Sheikh Maher 'Assaf
recited some peace verses from the Holy
Quran and then Mr. Jado Al-Masri read some
peace and prayers verses from the Holy
Bible. The AEI general director Mr. Fuad
Giacaman welcomed the attendees and extended
the AEI’s warm greetings to the Muslims on
the occasion of Eid al Fitr.
Mr. Giacaman said in his speech: "We
meet as a tradition every year to pray
together on the anniversary of the
International Day of Prayer for Peace during
the Holy Month of Ramadan. We call upon the
Almighty God to plant in our hearts and
minds more love, faith, patience, sumud
(steadfastness) and unity. These values we
need so as to be able to confront the
challenges of globalization and pressures
resulting from the repressive practices of
occupation, such as the expropriation of
lands, the Judaization of our holy beloved
Jerusalem, the demolition of houses, the
construction of settlements and the
Separation Wall. We raise our prayers so as
our only God will strengthen our faith, our
Muslim-Christian living together and our
national unity.
Sheikh Muhammad 'Ayesh spoke about the
meanings of fasting and the importance of
praying for a just peace.
The celebration in Ramallah was attended
by Dr. Fawzi Barakat from the Ministry of
Education, in addition to some religious
leaders and a number of invitees
representing the private schools in Ramallah.
Dr. Walid Mustafa, the Muslim
Coordinator of the inter-religious project
'Living in the Holy Land: Respecting
Differences', delivered a brief word of
thanks and congratulations towards all
school principals and teachers. During the
celebration a number of peace and religious
songs or chants were performed by the AEI
choir.
