December 18th, 2019

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For the fourth time, the Abrahamic Reunion sent out the call across Israel for a National Peace Summit to convene. This past December over 200 Muslim, Jewish, Druze, and Christian men, women, and youth gathered for a day of interfaith presentations, dialogue, and a shared meal.

Abed Al-salam Manasra, the AR Programs Director in Israel, introduced the program in “the ancient city of Nazareth, the Bride of Galilee, the city of love and tolerance, the city of Christ,” to those gathered. Abed relates that, “Delegations came from Jerusalem, from Nazareth, from the North and South and all parts of the country, from all sects and religions.”

After watching a film of the Abrahamic Reunion’s work over the past year, Sheikh Ghassan Manasra, the AR International Director, opened the Summit formally, with David Less, AR USA Board Chairman, offering the first speech, encouraging each person there to continue their search and work to create peace in themselves, with each other, and in the world.

Speakers of all religions spoke and gave messages in support of interfaith peacebuilding to create peace. Some highlights from key speakers:

  • Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif, the Spiritual Leader of the Druze in the Holy Land, stressed that what unites us is greater than what separates, and that everyone in the Holy Land, regardless of faith or background, is like a beautiful piece of mosaic, lending beauty, color, and individuality.
  • Fr. Hanna Kildani, Vicar of the Latin Patriarch (Roman Catholic Church) in the Holy Land, told the story of Prophet Joseph, saying that we cannot throw our brothers and sisters ‘in the well’ of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and other racisms – it is our responsibility to create love and peace, especially between Palestinians and Israelis, he said.
  • Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Dov Rosen, Director of Yakar Jerusalem, spoke about the vital role of AR interfaith meetings in deepening human relationships with those of other viewpoints in order to create a common understanding between all.
  • Najah Kabaha, a teacher and women’s rights activist in the Muslim community, spoke to the importance of remembering each person is in their own personal relationship with God, and to know each other is to know God more deeply.
  • Hisham Suliman, an actor famous for the show Fauda, gave a rousing speech which the crowd loved, urging different customs and traditions should not be obstacles or motives for war, but that we must listen and understand and try to absorb from the other in order to preserve our humanity.
  • Rabbi Leora Ezrachi, Rabbi of Negun Halev, connected Hannukah with the AR’s work that spreads light through the Holy Land and the world, and sang a beautiful hymn.

Other speakers: Sheikh Khalil Albaz spokeon the founding of the AR; Paul Aamor, a French Christian Peacemaker shared of his experiences in peacebuilding; Michael Macy, AR USA Boardmember, encouraged those gathered that peace is the greatest and best power on Earth; Sheikh Hilmi Hamad shared that worship is made in good dealings between peoples; Shira Golan and Yasmeen Makhlouf each offered songs for peace; and Siham Halabi spoke on the role of women, and of the Druze Community, in building peace that preserves respect for others.

Following the presentations, everyone ate together while meeting each other, discussing, and sharing tables. Abed Manasra says that, “It was to see the dining hall full of love as if the angels descended on them with mercy.”

The group went out onto the top of Mount Precipice and together let 400 balloons fly for peace into the blue sky above the Holy Land, a prayer soaring into the heavens.

Event organized by Abed & Ghassan Manasra

Written by Chris Miller with reporting from Abed Alsalam Manasra.

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