During a visit to the Bible Society in the United Kingdom, the head of the Palestinian Bible Society, Nashat Filmon, says that Christians are “vital” to bringing peace to Israel and Palestine.
He went on to blame both for the recent war in Gaza.He also feels that notwithstanding the efforts of US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, in Mr Filmon’s view there was “not a very strong chance of peace”. But he feels that Christians could help foster peace by acting as a bridge between Palestinians and Israelis.
“As Christians, we have a role to be peacemakers. Palestinian Christians are between a rock and a hard place. They can easily be crushed by both sides. But we have the opportunity to build bridges to bring both sides together.
“It’s our task to be true peacemakers between people and between people and God.”
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Jordan/Israel: Baptism “Wars” on the Jordan River. The Stakes? The Hearts and Minds of Christian Tourists.
A visit a to the Holy Land invariably includes a visit to the baptismal site at Yardenit on the Jordan River, just south of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. The water there is pure, deep and lovely. Leafy trees line the banks. Wildlife flourishes in and near the waters. And tourist amenities abound, including steps leading into the River Jordan, making access very easy, and available smocks for those desiring to immerse themselves totally. There is even a good restaurant nearby.The only fly in the ointment is that many are convinced there never was a baptismal site at Yardenit before the tourists started coming.
Some thus look to an area downriver near Bethany-Beyond-Jordan, in Jordan. Prior to the Jordanian-Israel peace treaty this was a no-man’s land. Since the peace treaty the Jordanians removed their military installations and have been feverishly excavating the area and encouraging Christians to build churches there. The results so far of the excavations have been discovery of almost two dozen ancient buildings, including the remains of five churches which appear to have been constructed over a 700 year period.In addition a cross shaped baptismal pool was found under one of the churches, which to some is evidence that this is indeed the site where Christ was baptized.
Covering its bases, a few yards away, just across the river, Israel is building its own tourist site out of beautiful Jerusalem stone, replicating much of what has made Yardenit such an attractive destination. And not surprisingly both Israel and Jordan that Christ was baptized on “their” side of the Jordan River. The only fly in this ointment: Just downriver from Yardenit, salty wastewater and emissions from a sewage plant have polluted the Jordan River, including the area at these new tourist baptismal sites. And Israel faces at least one other problem it may wish to address: to get to their new baptismal site you have to drive through miles of minefields.
Some thus look to an area downriver near Bethany-Beyond-Jordan, in Jordan. Prior to the Jordanian-Israel peace treaty this was a no-man’s land. Since the peace treaty the Jordanians removed their military installations and have been feverishly excavating the area and encouraging Christians to build churches there. The results so far of the excavations have been discovery of almost two dozen ancient buildings, including the remains of five churches which appear to have been constructed over a 700 year period.In addition a cross shaped baptismal pool was found under one of the churches, which to some is evidence that this is indeed the site where Christ was baptized.
Covering its bases, a few yards away, just across the river, Israel is building its own tourist site out of beautiful Jerusalem stone, replicating much of what has made Yardenit such an attractive destination. And not surprisingly both Israel and Jordan that Christ was baptized on “their” side of the Jordan River. The only fly in this ointment: Just downriver from Yardenit, salty wastewater and emissions from a sewage plant have polluted the Jordan River, including the area at these new tourist baptismal sites. And Israel faces at least one other problem it may wish to address: to get to their new baptismal site you have to drive through miles of minefields.
Is Mubarak's Son and Likely Successor Good for Egyptian Christians?
Is Mubarak's Son and Likely Successor Good for Egyptian Christians? Opinion is Divided.
The Christian community in Egypt is divided regarding Gamal Mubarak. Mubarak is the son of current ruler Hosni Mubarak and widely viewed as his likely successor. Hosni Mubarak is 81 years old.Christians are estimated to represent between six and 12 percent of Egypt's population. Most Christians belong to the Egyptian Orthodox, or Coptic Church. Copts are Egyptians whose ancestors embraced Christianity in the first century. In fact the word Copt means Egyptian. The history of the Coptic Church traditionally begins with the visit of the Holy Family (baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph) to Egypt. They lived there for some time.
While leaders of Egypt's Coptic Christian Church have voiced support for Gamal Mubarak as the preferred candidate for president, some Christian activists are calling for demonstrations against what they see as official state bias (through Mubarak’s ruling National Democratic Party) against Christians.
"Comments in support of Gamal Mubarak by church officials don't represent the opinion of all Egypt's Copts," says Youssef Sidhoum, editor-in-chief of Coptic weekly Al-Watani. Meanwhile, he says “calls for strikes and demonstrations by online Coptic activists represent only the views of a small minority within the Coptic community."
According to Hafez Abu Saeda, secretary-general of the Cairo-based Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, the church's apparent support for Gamal at least partly reflects longstanding Coptic fears of an Islamist government. But he also warns against making generalizations. "In the 2005 parliamentary elections, the church instructed Copts to vote for the NDP," said Abu Saeda. "Nevertheless, those elections saw Copts voting for Muslim Brotherhood candidates in some cases."
The Christian community in Egypt is divided regarding Gamal Mubarak. Mubarak is the son of current ruler Hosni Mubarak and widely viewed as his likely successor. Hosni Mubarak is 81 years old.Christians are estimated to represent between six and 12 percent of Egypt's population. Most Christians belong to the Egyptian Orthodox, or Coptic Church. Copts are Egyptians whose ancestors embraced Christianity in the first century. In fact the word Copt means Egyptian. The history of the Coptic Church traditionally begins with the visit of the Holy Family (baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph) to Egypt. They lived there for some time.
While leaders of Egypt's Coptic Christian Church have voiced support for Gamal Mubarak as the preferred candidate for president, some Christian activists are calling for demonstrations against what they see as official state bias (through Mubarak’s ruling National Democratic Party) against Christians.
"Comments in support of Gamal Mubarak by church officials don't represent the opinion of all Egypt's Copts," says Youssef Sidhoum, editor-in-chief of Coptic weekly Al-Watani. Meanwhile, he says “calls for strikes and demonstrations by online Coptic activists represent only the views of a small minority within the Coptic community."
According to Hafez Abu Saeda, secretary-general of the Cairo-based Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, the church's apparent support for Gamal at least partly reflects longstanding Coptic fears of an Islamist government. But he also warns against making generalizations. "In the 2005 parliamentary elections, the church instructed Copts to vote for the NDP," said Abu Saeda. "Nevertheless, those elections saw Copts voting for Muslim Brotherhood candidates in some cases."
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Gaza Dress Codes Regs Reversed . . . But
2009 September:. In noting the possible imposition of religious requirements in public schools throughout the Holy Land, we recently pointed out that in Gaza female lawyers were being required to wear the hijab (hair covering) and high school girls were being required to wear long dresses, leggings and the hajib, all in alleged accordance with Islamic law or views. The New York Times is now reporting that those regulations have been reversed.
This of course is a good thing for Christians. However the Times also reports that the Gaza education minister said that any new uniform or dress requirement is "an individual thing." Unofficial requirements can be just as compelling as official ones so it is no surprise that the Times also reported that at the beginning of this school year in August "a number of high school girls were told to return home to cover their heads and dress in the long coat known as the jilbab." In addition the Times reported that while 98% of girls in one area abided by the strict dress code, that number appeared to be declining in the in the second week, at least (the Times made no prediction as to whether is expected the decline to continue). And it also noted that in poorer areas full compliance continued.
This of course is a good thing for Christians. However the Times also reports that the Gaza education minister said that any new uniform or dress requirement is "an individual thing." Unofficial requirements can be just as compelling as official ones so it is no surprise that the Times also reported that at the beginning of this school year in August "a number of high school girls were told to return home to cover their heads and dress in the long coat known as the jilbab." In addition the Times reported that while 98% of girls in one area abided by the strict dress code, that number appeared to be declining in the in the second week, at least (the Times made no prediction as to whether is expected the decline to continue). And it also noted that in poorer areas full compliance continued.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
'Day of recreation' ends in tears for Christian campers
2009 August. Racism alleged.Children from northern Israel, as well as from abroad, take part in the Jish church summer camp every year. It is considered the most successful summer camp among the Christian community in Israel. However this year the children were reduced to tears.This year, as always, the camp planned a day of recreational activities at the swimming pool at the country club in Katzirn, a city in Northern Israel. But 250 children from Jish church's summer camp left the country club in tears after the club's manager refused to allow the counselors to play Arabic music. 'We can't have every sector coming to the pool and playing whatever music they want,' manager explainedThe Jish church summer camp director, Jadi Sliman, said the country club manager's conduct was "insulting and racist". Sliman says he explained to the manager that Arabic was the summer camp children's mother tongue, "but he refused to listen and said, 'l am the manager here and I decided. There will be no music in Arabic here."Adib Halif, one of the children's father, told Ynet News that this was a first-class act of racism. "I couldn’t believe that here in Israel there are such open expressions of racism. My child was very disappointed. This is no way to treat children."Separately an Israeli court ordered the operator of municipal swimming pool in Ofakim to pay fine of NIS 10,000 (NIS = New Israel Shekels) for not allowing family to enter place, claiming mother's veil would 'drive customers away' The municipality was not fined.
In the Holy Land: Religion in Public Schools Decreed
2009 August. The Palestine News Network reports that in Gaza, the government is requiring all high school girls to comply with a new dress code requiring that they cover their hair and wear leggings under their dresses. Supporters refer to it as “legitimate Islamic dress”, and as part of the program to “feminize” schools.
The Director of Education called on girls to “wear Islamic dress.” He said it is a decision for the entire school district for the “feminization of schools”, a program that includes ridding all girls’ schools of any male teachers or administrators. "The Muslim society and Islam requires us to differentiate between the brother and sister after the age of seven, let alone in the school,” the Education Director said.
An official at a school in western Gaza City that "Islamic dress is compulsory for all students and must be adhered to and that is what we have asserted this morning, all students will not be allowed as of tomorrow to enter school without a new dress."The measure is being described as a new phases on the road to turning Gaza into its own entity. Critics note the recent decision by the Interior Ministry to impose robes and head scarves on female lawyers while in the court room.
Meanwhile YNET News reports that Israeli Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar responded to fears expressed by the Arab sector regarding his plans to teach Zionist subjects in schools by saying "I have no intention of 'Judaizing' anyone and no one has heard me say I would impose the national anthem on the Arab schools," However he also said "I mean to start a new program in grades 4-9 called Heritage and Israeli Culture, in which students will study the Hebrew calendar, the flag, and the national anthem."
The Director of Education called on girls to “wear Islamic dress.” He said it is a decision for the entire school district for the “feminization of schools”, a program that includes ridding all girls’ schools of any male teachers or administrators. "The Muslim society and Islam requires us to differentiate between the brother and sister after the age of seven, let alone in the school,” the Education Director said.
An official at a school in western Gaza City that "Islamic dress is compulsory for all students and must be adhered to and that is what we have asserted this morning, all students will not be allowed as of tomorrow to enter school without a new dress."The measure is being described as a new phases on the road to turning Gaza into its own entity. Critics note the recent decision by the Interior Ministry to impose robes and head scarves on female lawyers while in the court room.
Meanwhile YNET News reports that Israeli Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar responded to fears expressed by the Arab sector regarding his plans to teach Zionist subjects in schools by saying "I have no intention of 'Judaizing' anyone and no one has heard me say I would impose the national anthem on the Arab schools," However he also said "I mean to start a new program in grades 4-9 called Heritage and Israeli Culture, in which students will study the Hebrew calendar, the flag, and the national anthem."
n Nazareth: Inauguration Bible Society for Arabs
2009 July in Nazareth: Inauguration of the Bible Society for ArabsIn July 2009 Bishop Elias Chachour, leaders and clergy from various Christian denominations and others met in Nazareth to inaugurate the Bible Society for Arabs in Israel. Anglican Pastor Bilal Habibi offered a prayer and 12 year old Muslim violinist Yamen Saadi entertained. All viewed their presence celebrating making the Bible accessible, available and affordable as a sign of hope for all those living in the Holy Land. Yamen Saadi, entertained. All viewed their presence celebrating making the Bible accessible, available, & affordable as a sign of hope for all living in the Holy Land.
In Jordon: Sodom found?
2009 Aug East of Jericho, Palestine is Tall el-Hammam in Jordan, which may be the location of Sodom.One archeologist believes that the site fits perfectly with the geographical profile outlined in Genesis 13-19. The archeologist, Steven Collins, arrived at this conclusion using a a scientific methodology he developed called "criterial screening." His conclusion is that Genesis is reliable for geographical profiles, and therefore can be used to locate sites.He came to believe that the traditional site of Sodom (in the southern region of the Dead Sea) was wrong based upon the geographical indicators and text in Genesis. Based on those indicators he concluded that the site of Tall el-Hammam was the site of Sodom. He noted that the site has 25 geographical indicators that align it with the description in Genesis. This compares Jerusalem which has only 16 and other sites that have only 5 or 6. “So, this site has many times more indicators than any other Old Testament site” he says. Pottery, architecture and destruction layers uncovered during his diggings also fit the timeframe profile indicated by Genesis. Collins also reports that he has secured internationally recognized experts to review his findings and that their conclusions reflect that his findings are correct“Though we are still digging and uncovering a plethora of material and artifacts, and much research still needs to be conducted, I feel that the evidence for this being the ancient city of Sodom is increasing by the day” says Collins.
Christian and Druze teenagers fight in the streets
2009 Aug 17 in Northern Israel Last week, Christian and Druze teenagers fought in the streets of Shfaram, a town in northern Israel, following rumors of a posting by Christians on the Internet of a video dishonoring the memory of the late Druze spiritual leaders Amin Tarif, showing Tarif's head attached to a pig's body. Leaders of the Christian and Druze communities intervened to stop the fights. During the brawl several homes and vehicles were set afire, and shots were fired at police trying to restore order. No injuries were reported. A few days later a youth, a resident of the western Galilee, was arrested as a suspect in the posting. The suspect is neither a resident of the town, nor a member of the Christian community. Police have released no other details due to fears of renewed violence.
Nazareth HS Students Meet with Nobel Prize Winners
2009 June: For the second year in a row, a delegation from Nazareth Baptist School BS participated in the annual meeting for Nobel prize winners held in June in Lindau in Germany in June. Two 12th graders of NBS, Wisam Haddad and Hanna Khalil, were invited to participate as part of the “young researchers” group in this conference. Dr. Ousama Moalem, NBS principal and Physics teacher was invited to be a distinguished guest in the conference.NBS is the only school in the world to that was invited to participate in this event that 22 Nobel laureates in Chemistry participated with more than 600 “young researchers” who hold masters and doctorates from 67 countries. The invitation was the result of the large number of prizes that NBS students received in recent years in the international contest for Physics research. The purpose of the conference was to expose young researchers to the failures and successes that the Nobel laureates dealt with, bringing them closer to one another and also presenting the research possibilities in Europe in general and Germany in particular.The conference included also lectures given by the Nobel laureates as well as young researchers on the issue of the raise in the temperature of the earth and water problems.
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