PR: (JERUSALEM): Christian Muslim ties praised

JERUSALEM CHURCH LEADERS PRAISE EAPPI AS EMBLEMATIC OF CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM RELATIONS IN PALESTINE

3 August 2004‏‏

Three heads of Churches in Jerusalem, Roman Catholic Patriarch Michel Sabbah, Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan, and Greek Melkite Archimandrite Mtanios Haddad visited three predominantly Muslim Palestinian communities August 2nd, showing their support and appreciation for the work of the members of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI).

During the visits to the West Bank communities of Tulkarem, Jayyous and Nablus, the three Church heads met with Christian and Muslim religious and civil leaders, demonstrating once again the cooperation between members of both faiths and the fact that the Palestinian people are one and united. The work of the Ecumenical Accompaniers was praised by the delegation and local community leaders as demonstrating the positive role that Christian Churches play in Palestinian society, both Muslim and Christian.

The sites were chosen because Ecumenical Accompaniers have been working in all three places. The Church leaders also wanted to show solidarity with those communities, which have suffered the effects of Israel’s continued construction of its “Separation Wall” and its restrictive policies towards the freedom of movement.

Latin Patriarch Sabbah showed his appreciation for the work of the EAPPI in his address before a group of Christian and Muslim religious and secular leaders in Nablus. “The love of Christ is not only for Christians; it is for everyone,” Sabbah said. “And to the Ecumenical Accompaniers from the World Council of Churches, we called upon you and you came. We have put faith in you and we are always with you. This is an occasion to tell you thank you, and also thank you to the Churches you represent and the World Council of Churches.”

Bishop Younan saw the EAPPI as instrumental in showing how all people of faith can work together towards a common goal of peace. “It is not true that there is a struggle between Christianity and Islam,” Younan said. “We are communicating to the world that we are one nation, one cause, seeking justice and reconciliation – Christians and Muslims. This programme (EAPPI) proves this as it is not only in Palestine but in Israel as well. We work with everyone who works for justice and reconciliation – Christians, Muslims and Jews. This programme works with people of all three faiths who work against injustice and for reaching a solution as members of one human family.”

Archimandrite Haddad reiterated the words of his two colleagues concerning the position of the EAPPI as well as Christian-Muslim relations. “This programme is important,” Haddad said. “It shows that the Church is working for justice, without worrying about whom we are helping. I am very happy that Muslims accept the Ecumenical Accompaniers without worrying about religious divisions. This shows that it is not a religious problem; it is a political problem. This programme is a Christian testimony to peace. We want a dialogue with people of faith from all three religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism.”

Abu Azzam, a member of the Land Defense Committee in Jayyous, was one of many members of the local communities who thanked both the Churches and the EAPPI for their help. “We are one people, Muslims and Christians. We are together against the occupation. This visit not only confirms that but shows the support we get from the Churches and that we are not alone. They have supported us all the time. The Ecumenical Accompaniers show that as well. …They are good friends to this community, and we are all one family.”

Ann-Catrin Andersson from Sweden, one of the Accompaniers present in Jayyous, was thankful for the visit of the three Church leaders. “It’s an honor for them to come and see what we’re doing here and the people’s reaction in the village,” Andersson said. “It is very important to see the commitment to us from the people who invited us. It is gratifying to see that they appreciate us. …There are strong relations between the Christian Church and the community, a fruitful cooperation. I think that the work of the Ecumenical Accompaniers here has helped as well.”

The EAPPI was launched following a call by the heads of Churches in Jerusalem for an ecumenical presence here in the Holy Land. Ecumenical Accompaniers are placed in communities throughout Palestine and Israel, working alongside all those who struggle nonviolently against the occupation.

For more information on the WCC: www.wcc-coe.org
For more information on EAPPI: www.eappi.org