Arab Christians suffer during the continued military occupation in the Holy Land. Because of the devastating effects of the military occupation, Arab Christians are leaving the land where Christianity was born. All aspects of the military occupation on Christian and Muslim people in the Holy Land will be discussed at the Third International Conference sponsored by the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation
Arab Christians suffer during the continued military occupation in the Holy Land. Because of the devastating effects of the military occupation, Arab Christians are leaving the land where Christianity was born. All aspects of the military occupation on Christian and Muslim people in the Holy Land will be discussed at the Third International Conference sponsored by the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation. The conference will be held at the National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Avenue NW in Washington D.C. on October 19, 20 2001. Rateb Rabie, KHS, President of the Foundation, stated, “This conference is timely in its presentation of the basic issues that have plagued the region for generations. The indigenous Christians in the Holy Land suffer along with their Muslim brothers and sisters as superior forces assault their homeland. We are certain that all of the important issues affecting the Holy Land will be thoroughly elucidated”
The Conference program, The Forgotten Faithful: Arab Christians Suffering in the Holy Land, will feature 30 speakers (20 from the West Bank) with intimate knowledge of the circumstances that have lead to Arab Christian suffering in the land where Christianity was born. The speakers on the program will elucidate all aspects of the siege of Christian communities. Workshops will explore how American Christians will be able to assist their brothers and sisters in the Holy Land to survive under very difficult living conditions brought about by town and village closures, road blocks, military checkpoints, economic siege and, recently, stepped up military invasion.
The Awards Banquet at the Capital Hilton, 16th and K Street, Washington, D.C., will be held on Saturday evening, October 20, 2001. The Living Stones Solidarity award will be given to the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and World Vision for their continued generous support as organizations for the Holy Land Christians. Rev. Canon Drew Christianson and Rev. Dr. Don Wagner will receive the HCEF Award for their life long commitment to the Christians in the Holy Land. Monsignor William Fay, Director General of the United States Catholics Conference of Bishops will be the keynote speaker.
The fee for the two-day conference is $35 and includes morning refreshments and Saturday lunch. The Awards Banquet is $65, $90 for both events. Call Luma at (866) 871-4233 to register for the conference.
( The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation is a tax exempt, non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of Christians in the Holy Land by developing bonds of solidarity with Christians in the United States. HCEF, PO Box 6687, Silver Spring, MD 20906. (301) 871-9222, Fax (301) 871-2277. www.hcef.org. email: newsabie@hcef.org, Toll Free (866) 871-4233
