Al-Liqa’ Center’s Galilee Branch organized a panel on “Charity (sadaqa) in Islam and Christianity” as a prelude to the joint Muslim-Christian Ramadan Iftar Dinner. Dr. Geries Khoury, Director of Al-Liqa’, welcomed the large numbers of clerics, educators, academicians and Arab community leaders stressing brotherhood and love that bind all people together in this holy month. Mr. Fathi Fourani moderated the panel and spoke about the activities of Al-Liqa’ Center and its diversified role in the nation. Fourani added that both Christianity and Islam stress social solidarity and the giving of charity (sadaqa) as seen clearly in the Qur’an, the Hadith and Arabic traditions. The New Testament, likewise, stresses the importance of charity (sadaqa) as a base for social solidarity. Fourani was followed by Fr. Elias Odeh who focused on charity (sadaqa) as seen in the New Testament, and Attorney ‘Ali Rafi’ who focused on charity (sadaqa)in Islam and its nationalist human and religious significance.
Sheik Muhammad Rammal implored Christians not to emigrate while Dr. Butrus Dalleh delivered a poem for those who are fasting. Others like Nahid Khazim from Shafa ‘Amr, Dr. Hatem Khoury from Haifa, Rev. Fu’ad Dagher from Shafa ‘Amr, and Dr. Nabil Sa’da from Shafa ‘Amr extended their greetings to Al-Liqa’ Center and those present in this joint Iftar Dinner.
