Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
Chicago Census office to hire Arabic partner for Census The U.S. Census through its Chicago Regional office is looking to hire an “Arabic partner” for the next two years as the agency begins preparations to conduct the 2020 Census. Although the U.S. Government has rejected adding the category of “Arab” or “Middle East or North Africa”…
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Taybeh Oktoberfest is Happening Right Now! Religious leaders offer blessings at the opening of the annual Taybeh OktoberFest which celebrates the Fall harvest and the local economy of the Palestinians living in one of Palestine’s few Christian hubs. The festival is popular among Christian Palestinians, and also many Muslims, to show support. By Maria C. Khoury, Ed. D. …
Christians should honor their close ties to Muslims this Ramadan Sadly, tensions have increased between Christians and Muslims but the truth is the two peoples and their religions could not be closer. Muslims and Christians have always gotten along and defended each other. And these days both need to stand together in the face of…
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Ashrawi: US is complicit in Israeli atrocities with Embassy move PLO Executive Committee Member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi: “Seventy years on, the Nakba continues.” Also, BDS activists decry embassy move “One the eve of the seventieth anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba (“catastrophe”), a grave historical injustice that continues today, the U.S. will officially relocate its embassy…
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Saudi Crown Prince forges ahead against extremism Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is taking a realistic approach to the Middle East as he bolsters the voices of moderates, challenges the extremists and pushes for a realistic peace accord between Israel and Palestine. The tactic MBS is pursuing is one that few Arabs have…
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Christian Orthodox prepare for Easter celebrations Easter is a special holiday for Christians because more than Christmas, it brings Christians closer to their faith. Although both Easter and Christmas are commercialized by big business and greed, Easter resonates more. Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter after mainstream Christians, mainly because the Orthodox remain on the old Julian…
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New One-State Foundation launched in Netherlands Launch of The One State Foundation: a new Palestinian-Israeli initiative to grow debate and support for a one state solution After over 70 years of conflict, 50 years of occupation and close to 25 years of a detrimental and counterproductive peace process it is more urgent than ever to…
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65 Israeli Laws that target and discriminate against non-Jews in Israel Israel has 65 laws that directly discriminate against Christians and Muslims or that are used to justify discrimination in every level of life against non-Jewish citizens of Israel. Some of the laws were founded during the British Mandate and were denounced by Jews in…
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Israel blocks Christians from visiting grave sites Israel blocks Palestinian grandmother from visiting father’s grave in Christian cemetery. Israeli army expelled residents, demolished Galilee village in 1948; Adalah demands all displaced residents of Ma’alul be allowed to visit family graves, now surrounded by Israeli military base. For years, Israel has been preventing Salwa Salem-Copty, a Christian…
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Taybeh OktoberFest promises wide range of entertainment Dr. Maria C. Khoury Taybeh Oktoberfest has been the stage for new musicians to be introduced to the world. In staying true with this tradition that started in 2005, a very interesting new band that has formed this year is Maqdess, the handsome trio from Jerusalem. All young…
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Knights of Columbus save Christian town in Iraq In a move that will give many Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq hope for the future, the Knights of Columbus will raise and donate $2 million to save Karamdes (Karemlash), a predominantly Christian town on the Nineveh Plain which was liberated from ISIS late last year. The Knights’ action…
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Mansaf, one of the most important Arab recipes When you think of the romantic lifestyle of the Arab in the desert, you think of camels, black and white stallions, heavy black tents, flowing robes, and a silver platter of one of the Arab World’s favorite recipes, Mansaf (Mensif, Mensiff). This lamb and rice dish heaped…
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Saving Arab Christians in the Middle East The recent massacre of Christians in Egypt by radical Islamic extremists is another reminder of the precarious place that Christians hold in the Muslim World and the Middle East. My column this week, written before the massacre, addresses how Israel is doing more for Christians than the Arab…
Receiving the Holy Fire in Taybeh Writer Maria Khoury shares the exhilarating Christian religions experience of the Holy Fire in Jerusalem, a Christian tradition dating back more than 2,000 years in Palestine. Khoury takes us through the emotions and excitement of the experience for Christians of Palestine and the Middle East By Maria C. Khoury, Ed.D….
Christians denounce Cairo church bombing Coptic Solidarity Strongly Condemns Brutal Bombing of St. Peter’s Church in Cairo Coptic Solidarity condemns in the strongest terms the brutal attack of December 11 on St. Peter and St. Paul church – adjacent to the Coptic Papal Seat of St Mark Cathedral – which resulted in the deaths of…
Ibtessam Asfour & Holy Land Ecumenical Foundation host Holy Land tour On a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Departing from Chicago on May 15-28, 2017 14 Days / 13 Nights Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation Bethesda, Maryland, USA Bethlehem, Palestine 6935 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 518 46 Alatan Street Bethesda, MD 20815 Bethlehem, Palestine Office 301 951 9400; Fax…
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Reflection from my Christian Eyes A Christian reflects on the challenges they face as a faith and community under Israeli occupation. Why isn’t Israel held to the same standards and laws as everyone else? By Dr. Maria C. Khoury The Day after Yom Kippur, I decided I should be more faithful in practicing my religion. I have…
Annual Taybeh Fest kicks off this weekend with entertainment and cultural pride in Palestine. Taybeh is one of the last remaining Christian villages in the Middle East and is an example of coexistence with Muslims and others in an environment of oppression. The festival shows that Palestinians will not give up on their pride, heritage…