Eighty members of the American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine, USA (AFRP) visited the Holy Land to strengthen solidarity and familiarity with their fellow brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. This delegation was lead by Mr. Yacoub Zayed, President of the AFRP.
Eighty members of the American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine, USA (AFRP) visited the Holy Land to strengthen solidarity and familiarity with their fellow brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. This delegation was lead by Mr. Yacoub Zayed, President of the AFRP.
The United States is home to approximately 40,000 Christians from Ramallah, which is almost as many Palestinian Christians living in the Occupied Palestinian territories. HCEF helped organize the day program for the visiting delegation as part of its advocacy and partnership with AFRP. This program included visits to the Old City of Jerusalem, the Holy Sepulcher in Bethlehem, The Nativity Church, and eventually a presentation organized by HCEF staff in Bethlehem at the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation’s Offices and Ecumenical Center for Research and Development. Following his visit, Mr. Zayed said, “The Ramallah Federation is working closely with HCEF President Rateb Rabie, his staff and groups of volunteers because we see their work bringing hope back to the land is currently lacking it.” Members of the federation were introduced to the various programs organized and initiated by HCEF, including the Child Sponsorship Program, the HCEF Fact Finding Pilgrimages to the Holy Land, the House Rehabilitation Program, The Holy Land Gifts Program and many other activities that help bring dignity to the needy and hope to the oppressed. The Delegation from Ramallah Federation visited Bethlehem on April 18, 2008 as part of a pilgrimage trip to keep them connected with their families and friends, giving them the opportunity to visit the Holy Places in their country of origin and birth places of their ancestors. Mrs. Bateh, a lifelong supporter of HCEF said “It is impressive to see how HCEF as an organization has grown into such an ecumenical movement and your way of turning solidarity into action helps the world know more, something that we are lacking.” The day program also includes a session whereby individuals and organizations think, plan and work together for the betterment of the Palestinian community and the Holy Land Arab Christians in particular. Mr. Zayed encouraged HCEF with this statement “Your work is instrumental in letting the world know about the Christians of the Holy Land.” For more information on AFRP, please visit www.afrp.org |
