Recent excavations near the Al Aqsa Mosque have brought protests, massive police presence and closures throughout East Jerusalem this week as Muslims claim the Israeli government is violating past agreements to preserve the religious status quo for all holy sites. Rumors and perspectives abound and differ about whether the constuction around the Bab Al-Magharbeh (‘Moroccan’ … [Read more…]
The Oriental Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican Churches invited the higher Islamic council, Chief Islamic Justice Sheikh al Tamimi, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, Islamic Awqaf Adnan Hussein, Jerusalem PLC members and about 100 other dignitaries and civil society leaders both Christian and Muslim to celebrate a … [Read more…]
Thousands gathered Saturday in Nazareth to protest a failed bombing attempt by a Jewish family Friday night at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, where Christians had gathered for traditional Lenten prayers. Fortunately, the homemade mixture of fireworks, flammable liquids and a jar of marbles and nails to serve as shrapnel didn’t explode properly, … [Read more…]
In late October, Bishop Younan joined almost 200 Muslim, Christian and Jewish faith leaders gathered in Amman for the one year anniversary of the release of the Amman Message by King Abdullah last year. The Amman Message is an initiative to raise the moderate voices of Islam who interpret the Koran as teaching co-existence, peace … [Read more…]
This year we were blessed to celebrate the Jewish High Holidays at the same time as the Holy Month of Ramadan. Both Ramadan and Yom Kippur call for repentance and fasting, and Sukkot invites pondering the wanderings in this life, as it commemorates the Hebrews wandering homeless in the wilderness of Sinai after their deliverance … [Read more…]
This same group of leaders traveled to Jordan the weekend before the Annual Council Meeting began. They discussed the role of faith communities in promoting a culture of non-violence, respect for all religions and peaceful co-existence with Jordanian government officials in Amman. At a meeting with Jordanian Prime Minister Adnan Badran, delegation leaders Hanson, Noko … [Read more…]
In the wake of accusations of the desecration of Holy Scriptures recently, Bishop Munib Younan issued the following statement: A Call for Co-existence not Desecration: Sacred Scriptures, Sacred Places – A Sacred Trust for Peace: The reality of Jerusalem and the Holy Land has taught us deep respect for the three Monotheistic religions so that … [Read more…]
Let us pray that Jerusalem, the city where Jesus suffered and died, will rise again at Easter, making Jerusalem the open city that it has been, open to believers of all three of the world religions. Norway’s Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik visited the Holy Land in February to support both Palestinians and Israelis in … [Read more…]
On March 23, 2004, Bishop Younan was the first of four lecturers in a series of cultural and religious events in Milan, Italy. Speaking on the topic “Co-Existence in Jerusalem and the Middle East,” Bishop Younan stated: “Jerusalem does not need walls. Jerusalem needs more places for bringing people together for mutual understanding. Christians around … [Read more…]