January 03, 2009

Political and social leaders of the french muslim community visit bethlehem university

By: Ronza Al-Madbouh (BU'09)

“President Sarkozy will be informed of our talks, and he will know about our visit to Bethlehem University” said Mrs. Valerie Hoffenberg, Special Representative of French President Nicolas Sarkozy for the Bethlehem Industrial Park during the visit of fourteen political and social leaders of the French Muslim community to Bethlehem University on Wednesday, 17 December 2008.

Mrs. Hoffenberg said that the purpose of the delegation’s visit to Bethlehem University, co-led by Mr. Boris Boillon, Special Advisor to President Sarkozy for the Middle East, is to see the life of the Palestinian students on the ground, to have a better understanding of their life conditions and to learn more about how Christians and Muslims live together in Palestine. She added, “We came here to speak to each other and to know each other. Our delegation includes Muslims and Christians, Arabs and French.”

Brother Peter Bray, Bethlehem University Vice Chancellor, together with Brother Jack Curran, Vice President for Development, and other Bethlehem University staff, faculty members and students welcomed the French delegation and local businessmen from Bethlehem.

Expressing his hope that future visits of similar delegations might be able to stay for more than 90 minutes to visit with the University students and faculty, Brother Peter Bray spoke of his delight in welcoming the delegation and mentioned, in particular, the significance of the Second International Conference On Christian- Muslim Relations organized and held at Bethlehem University. “Here in Bethlehem we enjoy and value of inter-faith relations.  It is important for Christians and Muslims the world over to be active in promoting dialogue between Christians and Muslims – as well as with our Jewish sisters and brothers,” Brother Peter commented.

For Bethlehem University students and faculty, due to the ongoing Israeli occupation and imposed travel restrictions, regular relations with Israelis are not possible.  Bethlehem University is in solidarity with Palestinians in their struggle against the Israeli occupation and other violations of human rights. Brother Peter also expressed his gratefulness to the French government for its efforts in making it possible for Bethlehem University to teach the French language to its students.

At the end of their visit, Brother Peter invited the delegation participants to share the stories and experiences about in Palestine to their people in France. “It is of great importance to us all that the truth of what you see and experience here in the Holy Land, and especially what you see and experience from our students and faculty at Bethlehem University, be known in France and through out Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa.  We count on you to be our ambassadors,” concluded Brother Peter.