At the invitation of Al-Liqa’ Center, a panel was organized with The Society for Caring of the Orphans and the Needy in Jericho. Many Christian and Muslim clerics attended as well as members of different sectors of society. Dr. ‘Abd Al-Rahman ‘Abbad of Al-Liqa’ moderated the panel. Several people participated in the panel including the Director of the Jericho society sheikh Jaber Harib who welcomed attendees from Al-Liqa’ and from the Jericho area. He was followed by Engeneer Majed Al-Fitiani, Governor of Jericho and the Valleys who stressed the need for dialogue in the land of dialogue, Palestine.
Dr. Sa’eb ‘Iriqat, the Chief Palestinian negotiater in the Palestinian Authority followed with a focused on the state of Christians in the Arab countries and stressed that reactionary elements and old thoughts which are based on ignorance still exist. Sheikh ‘Ikrimah Sabri, the Head of the Higher Palestinian Islamic Council, focused on Islamic view of Christians as being brothers of Muslims in every aspects of life. Sheikh ‘Abd Al-Majeed ‘Ata, Mufti of the Bethlehem Governorate reiterated what other speakers said and expressed his optimism about the future. Dr. Geries S. Khoury, Director of Al-Liqa’, concluded the panel with his demands for further understanding and respect of Christians and stressed the need to examin school curriculums in order to strengthen shared living between the brothers of the one nation.
The moderator, Dr. ‘Abbad, concluded the meeting stressing the need of both Christians and Muslims to emphasize unity and to respect what is different.
At the end of the panel, attendees were invited for a dinner by the Jericho Society. Further discussions were observed at the dinner table.
