PILGRIMS OF IBILLIN

As we enter this sacred month of Ramadan, may it bring peace, reflection, and blessings to all. Ramadan Mubarak to everyone celebrating around the world.

Pilgrims of Ibillin's 2024 Annual Report has just been published - you can find it on our website here: https://bit.ly/41FDykN In the report you'll get an overview of the projects and programs we supported at Mar Elias Educational Institutions as well as our six peace partners in the West Bank and Gaza. We were blessed with considerable generosity in 2024 that allowed us to give more grant funding than usual and will contribute to additional giving in the coming year.

Peace Partner Update: DAK Society DAK Society works to address cultural barriers and stereotypes surrounding women's participation in soccer (football) while fostering social acceptance through capacity building, awareness campaigns, and community engagement. Last year 29 female soccer players from the Diyar Women First Team enhanced their skills and capacities in soccer. 440 students (boys and girls – ages from 6-17 years old) have raised their awareness on integrating women and girls in sports, especially soccer through 18 sports workshops and activities in seven local schools in the Bethlehem Governorate. Diyar empowered seven female soccer players to visit local schools to raise awareness, resulting in boosting their leadership and self-confidence. And, lastly, more than 300 community members were engaged in the project Soccer Tournament Day, fostering broader acceptance of women and girls in sports. The project contributed to shifting perceptions about women in soccer, encouraged community support, and helped create a foundation for sustaining the program within the broader 5-year gender-responsive strategy. ? We are happy to support the empowerment of girls and women through sports!

Book: Sermon on the Mount Update Abuna's newly published book, The Sermon on the Mount: An Invitation to Receive and Advance the Reign of God: Then, Across Time, and Now is now available for purchase! Get your copy here: https://bit.ly/4ipi81V This book provides the essential meaning of the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, how these teachings spoke directly to Jesus' listeners, and then moves directly to how these teachings of Jesus have relevance for people today. The context of the teaching in Israel/Palestine is provided with an introduction to the life and mission of Jesus. ? The Sermon on the Mount is identified as the life calling of the Christian and the way that a contemporary reader can sense and learn the will of God. There are examples of how Jesus taught the teachings of the Sermon to assist people in applying these universal teachings not only to their personal lives but also to their setting with layered governments such as the Roman and Jewish and how the teachings speak to issues of social justice, poverty, and illness. Included in the book are those who shared with Jesus the mission of assisting people to the identification of the pathway to life lived in the presence of God.

MEEI Update Mar Elias students regularly engage in projects that have them working side by side with Israeli Jewish students -- something that is, sadly, incredibly rare in Israeli society. Johayna Mattar, the principal of Mariam Bawardeh Elementary School, is dedicated to providing these opportunities to students. She shared her observations of how these programs benefit her students with us, "As the principal of an Arab elementary school, I have seen my students grow tremendously by participating in a joint project with Jewish students. Initially hesitant, they quickly discovered shared interests and built friendships beyond cultural differences. Their confidence soared as they practiced Hebrew and expressed themselves more freely. They learned to challenge biases, ask more profound questions, and develop empathy. Engaging in meaningful dialogue helped them see coexistence as a possibility, not just an idea. The project fostered mutual respect and critical thinking, broadening their worldview. They returned to school eager to continue these conversations. Seeing them embrace diversity gives me hope for a more inclusive future. Small interactions can create lasting change. I am proud of my students’ transformation."

?? A huge thank you to everyone who attended our webinar last Saturday, "West Bank in Crisis: Life Under Occupation," with Usama Nicola joining us from Bethlehem. We had a great turnout with 184 attendees! ?? A special thanks for supporting Usama during these difficult times. While the session wasn't recorded, at the speaker's request, we will continue to bring you valuable programming in the future. Stay tuned for updates.

Usama Nicola joins us from Bethlehem TODAY Saturday February 22 at 1pm ET / 12pm CT / 11am MT / 10am PT (8pm Bethlehem) ?? Location: Online Webinar, ??Link to register: bit.ly/PilgrimsWebinar Usama will discuss what life is currently like under occupation. The horrors and aggression in Gaza often dominates headlines, drawing significant attention due to the magnitude and cruelty. This focus sometimes overshadows the equally dire situation in the West Bank, where tensions, settler violence, and human rights violations are escalating at an alarming pace. ? Both regions face severe and catastrophic crises, deserving urgent attention and action from the international community (you and I). Usama is a committed Palestinian civil society activist, serving as the Citizens Diplomacy Project Coordinator at Wi’am: The Palestinian Conflict Transformation Center. Many of you may know Usama as our guide on our Living Stones Pilgrimages. Please note that at the speaker’s request, this webinar will NOT be recorded, so plan to join us on February 22 to hear more.??Link to register: bit.ly/PilgrimsWebinar

Usama Nicola joins us from Bethlehem Saturday February 22 at 1pm ET / 12pm CT / 11am MT / 10am PT (8pm Bethlehem) Usama will discuss what life is currently like under occupation. The horrors and aggression in Gaza often dominates headlines, drawing significant attention due to the magnitude and cruelty. This focus sometimes overshadows the equally dire situation in the West Bank, where tensions, settler violence, and human rights violations are escalating at an alarming pace. ? Both regions face severe and catastrophic crises, deserving urgent attention and action from the international community (you and I). Usama is a committed Palestinian civil society activist, serving as the Citizens Diplomacy Project Coordinator at Wi’am: The Palestinian Conflict Transformation Center. Many of you may know Usama as our guide on our Living Stones Pilgrimages. Please note that at the speaker’s request, this webinar will NOT be recorded, so plan to join us on February 22 to hear more.

?? Urgent Update: West Bank in Crisis ?? Our partner in the West Bank, Abouna Firas in Zababdeh, has shared an alarming report of escalating violence, obstructions, harassment, and abductions over the past few weeks. In Jenin, over the past 3 days, the army has attacked the city, killing 14 civilians, including children, women, and the elderly. Thousands of families have been forced from their homes, including 3,000 refugees from the Jenin Refugee Camp, displaced for the second time since 1948. Jenin now lies in ruins, with hospitals destroyed, schools closed, and entire villages turned into war zones. ?? "We are living in a war," says Abouna Firas. Travel has become nearly impossible, with 900 checkpoints dividing the West Bank, making a 2-hour journey now take 10 hours. This devastating situation demands our attention. You can hear more about life in the West Bank from our colleague at Wi’am, Usama Nicola, in an upcoming webinar. ?? Join Us for an Urgent Webinar: West Bank in Crisis: Life Under Occupation with Usama Nicola ??? Date & Time: February 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1 PM ET ?? Location: Online Webinar ?? Link to register and donate: bit.ly/PilgrimsWebinar

Peace Partner: Gaza Water Project Peace Partner MECA (who administer the Gaza Water Project) is working hard to distribute parcels with 20 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to 2,000 families in central Gaza this week. It’s such a relief for the team to carry out this work without the constant threat of Israeli bombs and tanks. But the ceasefire is just the start. For those of us who are standing in solidarity with Palestine, the work is not done. Solidarity actions must demand a permanent ceasefire, to ensure that Palestinians in Gaza get what they need to survive and live in dignity in their homeland, and to hold the Israeli state accountable for the massive killings and nearly complete destruction of Gaza's homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, and all life-giving institutions.