April 14, 2008

Christian-Muslim Forum Impressed by Religious Dialogue at Bethlehem University

On a joint pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Bishop Michael Evans, Dr. Musharraf Hussain, Wahida Shaffi and Arlene Bennett visited Bethlehem University on March 31, 2008. As members of the Christian Muslim Forum in England , co-run by Bishop Evans and Dr. Hussain, the visitors were particularly interested to learn more about Christian-Muslim coexistence and cooperation at Bethlehem University , where two thirds of the students are Muslim and one third are Christian.

Father Jamal Khader, Chairperson of the Department for Religious Studies, highlighted this aspect of university life, “There are excellent relations between people of both faiths at the University and in the Bethlehem area in general, due to a long tradition of shared daily life.” He also referred to an interreligious conference hosted by Bethlehem University in fall 2007, which is to be followed by a second one in the fall of 2008.

“I am really impressed how much the Christian – Muslim relations here are based on a common identity. People rather speak of themselves as Palestinian than as Christian or Muslim,” commented Wahida Shaffi.

The guests also had the unique opportunity to speak to students about their experiences as believers of different faiths. Dana Bannoura, who is studying English Literature in her second year, stressed, “For me as a Christian, meeting Muslims is not only limited to our daily studies with them. I have a lot of Muslim friends I meet outside the university, and enjoy my free time with,” she said.

“We really care about each other. We have the same history, the same culture, and we go through the same things daily,” added Leena Abu Hussain, who is Muslim and a second year Business Administration student.

Referring to the continued Israeli occupation of the West Bank , the regular incursions by the Israeli Army, confiscation of land, travel restrictions, delays and humiliations at checkpoints the visitors wondered how the students managed to cope with all the hardships. “It is really difficult sometimes. But it helps us to share those experiences with others, with my fellow students and with my teachers,” answered Leena Abu Hussain.

Dina Awwad, Public Relations and Development Officer, added, “It is a challenge. But we do not want to give up. We have to keep reaching for the future. And we have to guarantee the best education possible for our younger generations. Education is our strongest means of non-violent resistance.”

The Christian - Muslim Forum, launched in the fall of 2006, aims to weave a web of open, honest and committed personal relationships between leading Christians and Muslims and to encourage shared reflection on the spiritual, ethical and practical values of the two traditions. Furthermore, the Forum intends to build a shared public platform to strengthen Christians and Muslims working together for the common good in partnership with others and to develop channels of communication to help Christians and Muslims together to respond to events which test their relations.