AEI -Greetings
AEI-Open Windows
Message on the occasions of Christmas and Al-Adha
"Glory to God in Heavens, Joy and Peace to those of Good Will".
"Out of the dry earth, a red flower grows. Yet, it needs lots of carefulness to blossom." We believe that with the birth of the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ, we will be reborn with Him to be people of good will and with a strong faith in our human struggle. Jesus Christ was born and had to suffer fighting for the liberation of all humanity from their sins. At the time of Christmas, all nations across the world wish peace and reconciliation to prevail and poverty to end, as well as discrimination of all types. During this Holy period, we also celebrate Al Adha Feast, which is an Arabic word that means "the Sacrifice", that commemorates Abraham's sacrifice of his son. We, as the children on Abraham, should do sacrifices to stay committed to our land and our faith in non-violence as another way to resist occupation. The Palestinian people has been suffering for years because of the Israeli occupation that has stolen their freedom, taken their lands and gave them a Wall that separated them from their rights and families. The Israeli siege and bombings of Gaza Strip, until now permitted by the international community, are intolerable for all the Palestinians living there. To add insult to injury, we witness in Bethlehem the expansion of the Abou-Ghneim/ Har-Homa settlement built upon the lands of Bethlehem and Beit Sahour. The Rachel’s Tomb area and the western and southern parts of the Bethlehem area are or will be severely affected by the Wall. Despite the Annapolis conference, the Palestinians are still waiting for any meaningful peace process based upon a sincere commitment to justice and international law. What is urgently needed, is the international intervention to put pressure on Israel to implement UN resolutions, allow the rebuilding of the Palestinian economy, and lift mobility restrictions. Palestinians are still hopeful to achieve their aspirations of liberation, have their state, and live freely like any other nation. Lifting up all forms of injustices, oppression, human rights violations, walls, occupation and violence will certainly need more Sumud – perseverance, resilience, hope and giving oneself to another, working together in order to fulfill God's love. Merry Christmas, Happy Adha and Happy New Year Fuad Giacaman Director General AEI-Open Windows Bethlehem
"Out of the dry earth, a red flower grows. Yet, it needs lots of carefulness to blossom."
We believe that with the birth of the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ, we will be reborn with Him to be people of good will and with a strong faith in our human struggle. Jesus Christ was born and had to suffer fighting for the liberation of all humanity from their sins. At the time of Christmas, all nations across the world wish peace and reconciliation to prevail and poverty to end, as well as discrimination of all types.
During this Holy period, we also celebrate Al Adha Feast, which is an Arabic word that means "the Sacrifice", that commemorates Abraham's sacrifice of his son. We, as the children on Abraham, should do sacrifices to stay committed to our land and our faith in non-violence as another way to resist occupation. The Palestinian people has been suffering for years because of the Israeli occupation that has stolen their freedom, taken their lands and gave them a Wall that separated them from their rights and families. The Israeli siege and bombings of Gaza Strip, until now permitted by the international community, are intolerable for all the Palestinians living there. To add insult to injury, we witness in Bethlehem the expansion of the Abou-Ghneim/ Har-Homa settlement built upon the lands of Bethlehem and Beit Sahour. The Rachel’s Tomb area and the western and southern parts of the Bethlehem area are or will be severely affected by the Wall.
Despite the Annapolis conference, the Palestinians are still waiting for any meaningful peace process based upon a sincere commitment to justice and international law. What is urgently needed, is the international intervention to put pressure on Israel to implement UN resolutions, allow the rebuilding of the Palestinian economy, and lift mobility restrictions.
Palestinians are still hopeful to achieve their aspirations of liberation, have their state, and live freely like any other nation. Lifting up all forms of injustices, oppression, human rights violations, walls, occupation and violence will certainly need more Sumud – perseverance, resilience, hope and giving oneself to another, working together in order to fulfill God's love.
Merry Christmas, Happy Adha and Happy New Year
Fuad Giacaman Director General AEI-Open Windows Bethlehem
