December 18, 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
2019 has almost come to an end and the Abrahamic Reunion in Palestine has had many successful programs.
Some programs have been related to youth, some were related to the elderly, some were beautiful, and some were difficult, some were influential, and some were full of joy. All of them had one goal, to spread peace among all religions here in Palestine.
Today we celebrated the last program of 2019. On this beautiful morning, I went to the Canary Restaurant in Bethlehem to meet 100 Muslim and Christian Palestinians who had gathered from Jericho, Nablus, Jenin, Hebron, Bethlehem, and other places from around Palestine. Our group also included Israelis, and even people who had come from Europe and America for this special occasion. We had come together to celebrate Christmas Day in Memory of Jesus’ birth.
Soon our speakers and other eminent guests also arrived, including:
- Dr. Sulaiman Suleiman: Lawyer and Master of Contemporary Islamic Studies, and teacher at the Ministry of Education in Bethlehem
- Dr. Khalil Atwan: A former supervisor at the Ministry of Education, and a teacher at the American School in Bethlehem
- George Zaina: a journalist for Al-Quds newspaper and leader of the Scouts of Teracinta School in Bethlehem
- Sheikh Raafat Al-Kharouf: Imam of Aawarta Village Mosque in Nablus
- Father Issa Thaljieh: A Greek Orthodox priest from Bethlehem
- Michael Macy: Former Senior Foreign Service with the U.S. Department of State and current Abrahamic Reunion Board member, and his wife, Rashmee Roshan Lall, journalist and author.
- David Less: Co-Founder of the Abrahamic Reunion and U.S. Abrahamic Reunion Board Chairman
- Sheikh Ghassan Manasra: The International Director of the Abrahamic Reunion
- Sheikh Abed Al-Salam Manasra: Abrahamic Reunion Program Director in Israel and Sheikh of the Qadriyah peace method & his family
After I welcomed everyone and wished them a glorious Christmas Day, we heard beautiful speeches from each of our presenters, and at the end David Less, reminded us that each of us has come to earth for different reasons, but because we were sitting together at this event tonight, it showed that one reason we had come to earth was to make peace.
Then the Masar Theater Group, from Jericho began to perform.
Sumaya Amara, a young woman from the group delivered a poem entitled Peace (Click to read Peace in the extended report).
And another young member of the theater group, performed a beautiful artistic dance, while wearing a Santa Claus dress! She painted a wide smile on everyone’s faces!
Following these performances, the band “Music” began to perform Christmas carols, and the restaurant staff began distributing chicken thighs stuffed with rice, salads and soft drinks.
As everyone ate dinner, Christmas music was ringing in our heads! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!
I left the room and dressed up as Santa Claus, and when I returned, I distributed baklava and posed for pictures with the children and their families.
At 9:30 the participants prepared to make the long journeys to their homes. As I bid them farewell I hoped to meet them again in 2020 at future Abrahamic Reunion programs.
January 3, 2020
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The year has ended here. It has been a year full of success, and all of this is thanks to God Almighty.
In my name, Mohamed M, Jamous, The Programs Director of the Abrahamic Reunion in Palestine, I thank everyone near and far who has helped make our programs in Palestine and elsewhere in the world successful!
You are the strong bridge upon which we build the platform for peace, and you enable us to raise our voices to deliver a message of peace to the world.
Thank you, Abrahamic Reunion members, directors and supporters
For a gallery of photos from the Bethlehem Christmas Event, to read quotes and speeches from the speakers and religious leaders, and to read the extended version of the blog click here.