MWR : Articles : Middle East

Articles : Middle East

In Jordan, a church of refugees

AMMAN, Jordan — Father Raymond Moussalli has grown accustomed to interruptions. When you’re the pastor responsible for a flock of 10,000, you learn to drop what you’re doing when somebody in need arrives at your door.

Lost in translation and fear

In 1956, Nikita Khrushchev’s statement, “We will bury you,” impressed upon Americans the threat that the Soviet Union represented. Later, Russian language experts noted that the phrase could also mean, “We will outlast you.”

Iraqi refugee family recalls horrors of war in Baghdad

AMMAN, Jordan — Meeron Chamoun is only 8 years old, but he courageously shares vivid memories of children being kidnapped from his school in Baghdad and school closures resulting from bombings and threats of bomb attacks.

With new attitudes, Middle East peace is possible

American Christians need changed attitudes about the Holy Land. After visiting with Israeli and Palestinian people and groups from Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities working for nonviolence, I am confident a Middle East peace is possible, if only the people living there are allowed to work toward reconciliation.

Political space for activism

Critics of the modern nation-state of Israel can expect to field certain antagonistic questions if they speak or write publicly about Israel’s human rights abuses.

MCC launches $2-million Iraq humanitarian response

WINNIPEG, Man. — Mennonite Central Committee is launching a $2-million humanitarian crisis response in Iraq.
Israeli settlers attack children, CPT members

AT-TUWANI, West Bank — At least three Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian children and two Christian Peacemaker Teams members July 27 as they walked to their village of Tuba.
Nazareth Village interest highest ever

NAZARETH, Israel — Two thousand years ago in Galilee, Nathanael demanded of Philip, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip’s reply: “Come and see” (John 2:46).

Iraqi seeks asylum, finds refuge

WASHINGTON — In Iraq, Osama Al-Salami was a nationally known professor at Sulaimani University, a respected periodontist with a private practice, husband to a successful lawyer and father of one son.

‘Non-mean’ ways of faith

Theologian Martin Marty has said he no longer finds the terms “liberal” and “conservative” useful when describing Christians. He prefers categorizing Christians as either “mean” or “non-mean.”