The Arab Educational Institute in Bethlehem Celebrates Advent, Christmas and the Palestinian Teacher’s Day

Bethlehem –Tuesday 13th of December 2011.

The Arab Education Institute held a celebration at the Peace Center in Bethlehem under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Victor Batarsah – Mayor of Bethlehem on the occasion of Christmas, Teacher’s Day, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the presence of His Grace Bishop William Shomali – the Auxiliary Bishop of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem His Beatitude Fuad Twal and Mr. Sami Murwa – The Director of Ministry of Education Office in Bethlehem and the former Director Mr. Abdallah Shakarnah and Mr. George Sa’ada – deputy Mayor of Bethlehem and Mr. Tony Murcos - director of the Municipality’s Office and a group of religious figures, directors and teachers of Ramallah and Bethlehem schools in addition to the representative of some local and foreign NGO’s and the AEI groups members and some invitees.

“Wall Museum”

During this Christmas season, a so-called “Wall Museum” of posters will be created on the Wall near Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, Palestine. An initiative of the Sumud Story House/ AEI, it is designed to communicate real-life Palestinian women’s stories. The stories of suffering and oppression as well as 'sumud' (steadfastness or resilience), inner strength and cultural identity are chosen to bring out the truth of Palestinian life, which the Wall tries to hide and kill.  They are written or chosen by Palestinian women’s groups who convene at the Sumud Story House.

PEACE STORIES FOR CHRISTMAS

Call for Peace Stories Advent and Christmas in Bethlehem 2011

AUSTRIA

Ein Engel unterm Weihnachtsbaum

Eines Tages kam der Engel Gabriel ganz gemütlich zu allen anderen Engeln.
Doch die anderen Engel sahen nicht so aus als würden sie sich freuen, an so einem schönen Tag.
Gabriel fragte: „Warum seid ihr denn so schlecht aufgelegt?“ Die anderen Engel antworteten: „ Maja ist heute morgen zu den Menschen geflogen. Sie wollte wissen, wie es auf der Erde aussieht, wenn nicht Weihnachten ist.“
Gabriel war ganz aus dem Häuschen. „Waaas? Da müssen wir ja gleich hinterher fliegen.“

Saturday June 4. On the closing day of the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, the Christian Organizations in Bethlehem and Jerusalem held a liturgy in the Emanuelle Church near the Bethlehem-Jerusalem checkpoint.

Religious Education Conference in Palestine at the Peace Centre/Bethlehem

The Arab Educational Institute – member organization of Pax Christi International in Palestine–organized a conference on the 4th and the 5th of March 2011 at the Peace Centre Hall in Bethlehem under the patronage of Mr. Abdallah Shakarnah – Director of the Ministry of Education office in Bethlehem. The conference title was “How can it inspire moral courage & leadership among Palestinian youths?" During the discussions some international speakers made comparative presentations about Bradford U.K situation. Some religious figures, Christian and Muslim religious education teachers from both government and private schools attended the conference.