Washington, DC — The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) is pleased to announce that the American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine (AFRP) will receive its 2016 Palestinian Diaspora Award at its 18th International Conference & Awards Banquet on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016.
“For the past 58 years, AFRP has encouraged the diaspora to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Palestine. The AFRP’s numerous achievements are a true testament to their sustained commitment to strengthen the Palestinian essence through its cultural heritage, core values, current needs, and future aspirations,” said Sir Rateb Rabie, HCEF President and CEO.
The Palestinian Diaspora Award honors individuals or institutions that have a sustained commitment to revitalize the Palestinian essence with its cultural heritage, core values, current needs, and future aspirations. Such institutions serve as a sturdy bridge of solidarity for Palestinians in Palestine, the Holy Land, and beyond.
The American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine, was created in the United States in the first years after the Nakba as more and more people in Ramallah and other Palestinian communities were forcibly removed from their ancient homeland. In 1959, the growing community formed AFRP. Today, close to 40,000 former citizens of Ramallah live in the United States in communities coast-to-coast. They participate actively in local clubs that support cultural, charitable and social programs supporting the Ramallah people in the Palestinian Territories and in the United States.
Their magazine, Hathihe Ramallah, established in 1952, continues to flourish as a bimonthly publication that ties the Palestinian-American community to its roots in the Holy Land. The Federation awards 60 scholarships annually to students attending colleges and universities. Half of those students live in Ramallah. In the health care field, AFRP established the Ramallah Hospital which continues to operate through the Federation’s generous support. Project Hope, a program that sends young adults to the Palestinian Territories to serve as volunteers, was created in 1997 and more recently, the Medical Mission Program was created to send health care providers to volunteer in the Palestinian Territories.
HCEF invites you to advocate for the Palestinian people. Please join HCEF in honoring the American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine (https://www.afrp.org/) by participating in the 18th International Conference in Washington, DC.
