Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Podcast Info
    • Hanania Podcast intro
    • Live Arab Radio
  • Your Views
  • Submit Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council
    AHRC Calls for Moral Consistency on Human Rights, Urges President Biden to Pause His Trip to Israel: American Arabs
  • The U.S.S. Liberty photo courtesy of the USS Liberty Veterans.
    Survivors of Israel’s strike on USS Liberty commemorate 55th year June 6 – 8 American Arabs
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community Activism
  • Former City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday American Arabs
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor lightfoot for racist store closings American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host “forum” to explore Mayor Lightfoot’s racist crackdown on Arab stores Activism
  • Imam Jamal Saad leads the more than 1,000 muslim attendees in payer at SeatGeek Stadium's open grounds at the Eid al-Fitr celebration May 2, 2022 in Bridgeview
    Local Illinois officials join Chicagoland Muslims for Eid Celebration at SeatGeek stadium American Arabs
  • DCEO Panel discussion on business support opportunities for all businesses including Arab American businesses, April 26, 2022
    DCEO Access to Capital: Arab American Heritage Month business workshop American Arabs
  • DCEO Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month (AAHM) American Arabs
  • Alderman Raymond Lopez addresses the gathering at an Iftar hosted by Radi Abuhashish Thursday April 21, 2022 joined by Dr. Willie Wilson and other candidates for Chicago Mayor.
    Political candidates join local Arab leaders for Iftar Activism
  • U.S. Congressional Candidate Rob Cruz in the 6th District GOP Primary election June 28, 2022
    Republican Candidate for U.S. Congress, Rob Cruz, Opens a Dialogue with the Palestinian Community American Arabs
  • Peak Rock Capital affiliate completes acquisition of Ziyad Brothers, a leading provider of brander Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot American Arabs
  • April 24, 2022 Illinois DCEO American ArabChamber event
    American Arab Chamber and DCEO host online panel to help Arab Businesses secure funding Activism
  • Oussama Jammal presents Congresswoman Marie Newman with the Courage Award during the USCMO Annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner. Photo courtesy of Marie Newman Facebook Page
    Newman endorsed by major Arab and Muslim leaders Activism

Conference explores the important role of Christians in Middle East peace

Posted on October 15, 2014October 15, 2014 By rayhanania No Comments on Conference explores the important role of Christians in Middle East peace
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Conference explores the important role of Christians in Middle East peace

The most important gathering of Christian Arab voices on Palestine and Peace

By Ray Hanania

hcefprogram
HCEF 16th Annual Conference dinner will be held at the Washington DC Marriott Friday Oct. 17, with panel discussions all day Saturday Oct. 18.

The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) will holds its 16th Annual Convention this weekend, Oct. 17 and 18, 2014 at the Marriott Hotel in the nation’s capitol exploring the current state of Christians in the Middle East and their role in achieving a peace that may finally bring sovereign statehood to Palestine, the heart of the world’s Christianity.

Although the conference is not about religion, but more about the role Christians Arabs especially Palestinians play in achieving peace, panel discussions will explore many aspects of what must be done to make Palestine a reality, and to stop the erosion of the Christian presence in the Middle East.

The conference comes only weeks after a similar, more political effort was made to hijack the role of Christians in the Middle East to benefit Israel, one where U.S. Senator Ted Cruz told organizers in the most disturbing way but in a way that reflects the essence of the Israeli political strategy in America, the largest Christian country in the world: “Those who hate Israel hate America, and those who hate Jews hate Christians.”

Of course, Cruz was twisting reality to fit his twisted belief, claiming that Palestinians who are demanding their civil and human rights therefore “hate” anyone, which is not true. And, just as significantly, that if you oppose Israel, then you oppose America. It’s the foundation of the Israeli lobby strategy that has held American free thinking in a stranglehold headlock since the 1930s. It’s the very fright-strategy that Israel has embraced to keep Americans from seeing their own interests in the faces and lives of Palestinians, who more closely represent the true interests of the Christian World.

Through Israeli lobbying and mastering of communications strategy, Israel has blinded Americans who have forgotten their own teachings that Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the Christian people. Israel political spin has convinced Americans that the Christian suffering in Palestine is somehow the result of persecution by the larger Muslim World, a lie to make it appear that the very existence of Christian Arabs is similar in fate to what they want you to believe about the existence of Jews in Israel.

English: Pagans kill Christians in Pliska.
English: Pagans kill Christians in Pliska. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The HCEF conference will play a significant role in correcting the lies that have been spread by Israeli lobbyists in America and possibly open a door to activists to focus their efforts to re-educate Americans, “the most educated people in the world yet the least educated about the world.”

On Friday evening, HCEF will host its 16th Annual Banquet where six leaders of Palestinian rights will be honored. They are HE Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the PLO Executive Committee, HE Theodosios Atallah Hanna, Archbishop of Sebastia of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Hashim Hani Shawa, Chairman and General Manager of the Bank of Palestine, Farouk Shami, president of Farouk Systems, Rev. Richard H. Graham, Bishop of Washington DC Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and Francis Carroll who worked 31 years at the Library of Congress.

The panel discussions on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 8:40 am and feature an array of leaders from across the world. It will begin with an opening prayer from Dr. Saliba Sarsar, HCEF Secretary and Associate Vice President for Global Initiatives at Monmouth University, and Ms. Christine Hill, HCEF Vice President and President & Founder of Service Alliances, Inc.

The first panel discussion begins at 9 am and is titled “Challenges Facing the Palestinian Christians.” It explores the “hard times” they endure in the Holy Land “especially as their lives are negatively affected by the Israeli occupation and growing extremism.” The moderator of the panel is Father Jacek Orzechowski, OFM Chair of the JPIC Directorate of Holy Name Province, Silver Springs, Maryland. Panelists include: HE Theodosios “Atallah” Hanna, the Archbishop of Sebastia, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and one of the world’s leading voices for Middle East Christian Rights and the Palestinian cause. Also, Father Michael McDonagh an international advisor to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem will join in discussing the current challenges and status of Christians in Palestine and in the Middle East.

The second panel discussion begins at 10 am and is titled “Arab & Middle Eastern Christians Under Fire.” The focus on Middle East Christians will explore their oppression under rising extremism and groups like ISIS and ISIL in Iraq and Syria. The moderator is Dr. Hanna Hanania, an HCEF board member. Panelists include Father Drew Christiansen, SJ, Yvonne Haddad, professor of the History of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, and Mark L. Wasef, attorney and board member of the Egyptian American Community Foundation and member of the Coptic Lawyers Association.

At 11:45 after a break, HCEF President and CEO Rateb Rabie offer remarks on Palestine, the mIddle East and Christians, and then will moderate a discussion titled “Engaging the Palestinian Diaspora in Nation Building.” The panel will explore  the important role Palestinians living in the Diaspora must play in order to build the State of Palestine and includes Hashim Hani Shawa, Chairman and General Manager of the Bank of Palestine, Farouk Shami, the inventor and founder of Farouk Systems, and Rafiq Masri, the technology entrepreneur and founder of Network Management Inc.

At 2 pm, HE Hanan Ashrawi will deliver the keynote speech detailing the current challenges facing the Palestinian people and achieving peace by establishing an independent Palestine State.

At 2:45, the important issue of minorities in the Middle East will be expanded to explore the challenges facing women in a panel titled “Empowering Women in Palestinian Society,” a topic that is often left out in the international discussion about freedom and human rights in the Middle East and the creation of a sovereign Palestinian State.

Women play a critical role today in Palestinian politics, civil society and form the backbone of Palestinian culture and society. Moderator Claudette Habesch a member of the HCEF Advisory Board and former Secretary General of CARITAS Jerusalem will lead a discussion with panelists Noura Erakat, human rights attorney and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, Dr. Najat Khelil Arafat, president of the Arab Women’s Council, and Bethany Saad, program coordinator at John Snow Inc.

At 3:45 pm tis writer will lead a panel discussion titled “Giving Palestinian-Israeli Peace a Chance.” The panel will discuss the developments taking place in Palestine and what policies US constituents must advocate to bring about a resumption of negotiations and to achieve peace. Panelists include Samer Makhlouf, Executive Director of One Voice Palestine, Khaled Elgindy, Fellow in the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, and Seth Morrison, Congressional Outreach Committee Chairman for Jewish Voice for Peace.

(Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter and political columnist. He is the author of several books, his most recent “PoweR PR: Ethnic Activist’s Guide to Strategic Communications & challenging the biased Mainstream Media.” He is the managing editor of The Arab Daily News which has more than 800,000 readers each month. Reach him at rghanania@gmail.com.)

Related articles
  • Jerusalem Patriarch Addresses the White House
  • Christian clerics urge recognition of Palestine
  • Christian clerics urge recognition of Palestinian state
  • H.E. Dr. Hanan Ashrawi to Receive the 2014 HCEF Path of Peace Award
  • France: Palestinian recognition shouldn’t be merely symbolic
  • Hanan Ashrawi & Archbishop Atallah Hanna headline HCEF 16th Annual Conference

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

Click here to send Ray Hanania email.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday - May 15, 2022
  • Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor lightfoot for racist store closings - May 7, 2022
  • Unresolved status of Palestinian rights makes UNRWA essential - May 7, 2022

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Commentary, Israel, News, Palestine & Jordan, Ray Hanania, religion, Spotlight Tags:Christian Arabs, Christian Palestinians, Hana Ashrawi, HCEF, Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, Israel, Middle East, Middle East Christians, Muslim world, Palestine, Palestinian people, Palestinians, PLO, State of Palestine, Ted Cruz, Washington DC

Post navigation

Previous Post: Report accuses Tunisian government of failure to combat terrorism
Next Post: Ramallan Morning in Chicago

Related Posts

  • Meme of the Chicago Sun-Times endorsing Bruce Rauner, who owned a major share in the newspaper. Now the newspaper seems to do his political bidding. (Former Truman photo courtesy of Wikipedia)
    Hypocrisy at racist, anti-Arab/Muslim Chicago Sun-Times American Arabs
  • Pictures of the day of the funeral of Martyr Mohammed Majid Bakr, 25, who was shot yesterday by the Israeli occupation during his work as a fisherman in the sea of ​​Gaza City Photography- Ahmed Hasaballah.jpg
    Photos of Gaza fisherman murdered by Israel Ahmad Hasaballah
  • Radio Podcast: Detroit listeners discuss Ben Carson & Syria Refugees American Arabs
  • Israel continues violence and land theft at Bil’in Arab World
  • Tents are shown at a refugee camp for internally displaced Syrians in Idlib province on July 30, 2018. Syrian authorities arrested a news anchor for Iraqi Kurdish broadcaster Rudaw, who had recently discussed on air fears of a large-scale military offensive on the province. (Reuters/Khalil Ashawi) Courtesy of the Committee to Protect Journalists
    Syria military arrests Kurdish journalist at check point Arab World
  • Rash of thefts hit charitable donation boxes at Dearborn stores American Arabs

More Related Articles

America and Saudi Women Again! Arab World
Kayrouz urges Lebanese expatriates to strengthen homeland Activism
United Nations bUilding, New York. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania AHRC observes United Nations World Refugee Day (June 20) Activism
USS Liberty Veterans & 49 years Post Traumatic Stress American Arabs
Ziad Awad family in Gaza observe Ramadan. Photo by Ahmad Hasabllah Israeli oppression overshadows Gaza observance of Ramadan Ahmad Hasaballah
Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ Award winners for 2020: Clockwise from top left: Svetlana Prokopyeva (Artiom Avanesov); Dapo Olorunyomi (Dapo Olorunyomi); Shahidul Alam (Shahidul Alam); Mohammad Mosaed (Farid Kamran Nia) CPJ announces 2020 International Press Freedom awardees Arab World

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Palestinian refugees forced to flee their homes at gunpoint by Jewish terrorist groups operating in Palestine in the 1930s, 1940s and after Israel was created on May 14, 1948. Photo courtesy of the United Nations
    Unresolved status of Palestinian rights makes UNRWA essential
    May 7, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • Hollywood Sign
    Will Smith violence takes Oscar protests to dangerous level
    March 31, 2022
  • Chicago's racist Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered more than 150 Arab owned stores closed in 2021 in a racist effort o fight street gang crimes
    Arab Daily News launches Arab American Network to fight racism
    March 12, 2022
  • NEWS
  • Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council
    AHRC Calls for Moral Consistency on Human Rights, Urges President Biden to Pause His Trip to Israel:
    May 24, 2022
  • The U.S.S. Liberty photo courtesy of the USS Liberty Veterans.
    Survivors of Israel’s strike on USS Liberty commemorate 55th year June 6 – 8
    May 23, 2022
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community
    May 19, 2022
  • Former City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday
    May 15, 2022
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council
    AHRC Calls for Moral Consistency on Human Rights, Urges President Biden to Pause His Trip to Israel:
    May 24, 2022
  • The U.S.S. Liberty photo courtesy of the USS Liberty Veterans.
    Survivors of Israel’s strike on USS Liberty commemorate 55th year June 6 – 8
    May 23, 2022
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community
    May 19, 2022
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot
    April 15, 2022

The Tabboun Column

The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
  • Tabboun
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    The Political Grapevine/The Tabboun, Friday Dec. 16, 2021
    December 16, 2021
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    Tabboun: Chicago remains strongest Palestine voice
    September 7, 2016
  • The Tabboun: Israeli human rights violations hit
    June 30, 2016
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    Tabboun: Himes questions troop deployment to Syria
    November 3, 2015
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    The Tabboun: Dearborn removes statue of racist former mayor
    September 29, 2015

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Sices-Ad.jpg
  • ZiyadBrandLogo-2016BlackRedBackgrnd.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Ad-Pantry-essentials.jpg
  • HANANIA Arab News Op-Eds
  • Ukraine conflict gives Palestinians chance to redefine their conflict
    March 9, 2022
  • Mishmeshan PHC medical center destroyed in Syrian Government assaults. Photo courtesy of UOSSM Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations
    President Biden’s dyslexic policy in Syria is a mess
    October 20, 2021
  • Annissa Essaibi George and family
    Annissa Essaibi George faces “race hypocrisy” in campaign to be Boston Mayor
    October 20, 2021
  • Jerusalem image of Jews and Arabs walking together. Shutterstock. Courtesy of Arab News Newspaper
    Jewish Michigan lawmaker leads push for Two State Solution
    October 7, 2021
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib, book cover. Photo courtesy of Cune Press
    Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib
    November 1, 2021
  • Girl Fighters, new book on Yemen Book Cune Press
    New Book: Girl Fighters: Break Tradition in Yemen 
    October 25, 2021
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • American Arab CHamber President HassanNijem accepts the Proclamation from Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer at the Chamber dinner March 30, 2022
    Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
    March 31, 2022
  • Hollywood Sign
    Will Smith violence takes Oscar protests to dangerous level
    March 31, 2022
  • 03-30-22 Arab Chamber Heritage Month Flyer
    Arab Chamber to host Arab Heritage Month dinner March 30
    March 14, 2022
  • “Rupture”, the psychological thriller produced by MBC STUDIOS, has won Best Saudi Film at the 2021 Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF).
    MBC GROUP’s Rupture wins Best Saudi Film at the inaugural Red Sea International Film Festival
    December 15, 2021
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2022 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme