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AEI-Open Windows News
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Move Ahead and Leave a Trail
Cross-Cultural Encounter and
Inter-religious Dialogue in Europe
and the Middle East
August 8th – 20th, 2007 |
Five of university youth
group members participated in a youth exchange
project in Germany entitled "Move Ahead and
Leave a Trail". In an evaluation meeting, which
took place last week, the participants talked
about their experiences in that youth exchange.
First of all, they talked
about the doubts they had before they left to
Germany. Some of them were concerned about their
English communication skills; others were
worried about their capacity to communicate
Palestine. For example, Manar Al 'Ali said: "I
have good English communication skills. I was
able to express myself easily. Nevertheless, I
didn't have enough national knowledge." Hana
Kidan shared her worries "I was worried that the
exchange would be too serious. I always find
difficulties to expressing myself in English.
Surprisingly, I found myself communicating with
other so easily. I was relieved realizing that
some participants from the other countries were
not fluent in English. I though that all the
other participants would be better in English."
However, Mohammed Sha'lan declaired "I expected
not to participate at all because of my poor
English. However, I managed very well and I
found myself communicating especially in the
side talks with the other participants from
foreign countries. These talks were so rich."
Secondly, the youths talked
their perceptions regarding their experiences
with the Israeli participants. For example,
Amanr Said: "I thought that the communication
with the Israeli participants won't be good."
Fadi Abu Akleh on the other hand commented: "I
have experienced Israeli-Palestinian encounters.
All of them were activity oriented exchange
project. But that was the first time I had hot
discussions with Israelis. We made presentations
about the occupation in front of Israelis. There
was tension during the workshops. But outside
the lectures we had normal relations with them."
Hana was surprised to realize that the whole
project was about the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. She expected to learn about the
Egyptians or the Lithuanians. "I didn't expect
to gain all the attention of all the
participants".
As they pointed, there was
tension in the workshops. There were mutual
provocations according to what these youth
said.. For example, anything the Palestinian
would say about the occupation and its
repressive actions the Israelis got irritated
and vice versa. The Israeli participants labeled
the Palestinian resistance as "Terrorism" or by
marketing some ideas such as "Israel offers
reconciliation to the Palestinians by giving
them some land". The Palestinian youths were
offended and worked hard to preach the other
youths that "This land is originally ours".
What they didn't like is the
biased positions of some of the leaders, such as
Anna. She used to end any discussion that is pro
the Palestinians or against the Israelis. When
we used to have hot discussions with the
Israeli, she used to come and end the
discussion. The opposite she did when they used
to corner us.
"We took the exchange
seriously and we worked hard to change many of
the distorted images the other participants held
against us." That is what Manar said. Fadi Abu
Akleh continued, "We didn't react violently to
any of the provocations." Manar emphasized, "We
stayed cool though we were irritated, and
reacted pretty smart. We showed pictures and
made presentations". According to Hana, the
other participants were impressed with their
(Palestinian) performance.
When they were asked whether
they consider these Israeli-Palestinian
encounters as a form of non-violent resistance
or normalization; they said that formally and
during the workshops, they were communicating
Palestine, but at the same time we had also fun
and socializing with them. Mohammed said: "we
don't represent our country politically. It is a
form of non-violent resistance and a chance to
correct stereotypes and to prove that we still
exist" Mohammed added: "in the Qur'an there is a
verse that says (communicate with them in the
better way)".
The AEI youth participants
were happy to know that there was equal
participation for the entire group, except when
they made a power point presentation about the
daily life reality reflecting their suffering.
The organizers gave them only 40 minutes (half
the time less than the other groups), claiming
that the Palestinian presentation was
irrelevant.
Regarding the cultural
diversity, the AEI youth delegation experienced
funny stories. For examples, they found
themselves unable to understand the Egyptian
dialect. They also found it exciting learning
about each other's culture. So they were talking
in the side talks about customs and traditions,
education, etc. On the other hand, as in the
Arab culture is common, the Palestinians and the
Egyptians used to sing, and laugh during bus
rides. Some others were ready or putting their
headphones listening to music. However so often
others used to join them. They noticed that
there is a difference in clothing and some
attitudes as well. Above all, they realized how
all youths were interested in the Arab Coffee.
Fadi Abu Akleh Said jokingly
"All
wanted to drink Arab coffee, even wanted to buy
some. We could have made good business there!"
In addition, Mohammed shared a very funny story
that he experienced with his roommate from Egypt
called Michael. The Palestinian group arrived
the first to the academy. So Mohammed was
accommodated in a room. Later on his roommate,
Michael was accommodated. The latter was so
religious that once he got in his room, he
unzipped his luggage and started hanging crosses
all over the room, even on top of the bed of
Mohammed. Mohammed was thinking to him self "I
think I will be baptized by the end of this
youth exchange".
The youth participants
confirmed that they stayed as a group and were
able to build a strong team spirit, especially
during the times of seeking information and
needed one another support. On the other hand,
they also said that there was no need for any
leader to accompany them because everything was
clear and they got training as well in advance.
Concerning the preparatory
training period all said that it was important
especially the English language training. They
benefited from inviting previous participants in
the training, because the latter shared their
experience and knowledge. So as they said:
"things were clear enough. We even saved time
because we were well trained"
The AEI youth participants
said that this exchange was very good for them
because they met with others, especially
Israelis, it was a kind of an escape from the
difficult situation in Palestine. It was also
needed to change atmosphere and be introduced to
new conflicts in the world as well as new
cultures.
In general the youths enjoyed
the exchange a lot, because they it developed
their personalities, they had lot of fun and
knowledge, and they met youths with whom they
want to keep in touch.
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