According to a report, muslim and jewish members of the interfaith encounter association (iea) shared an ifta, a ramadan evening meal in the courtyard of the finnish evangelical lutheran mission in Jerusalem on Thursday in a bid to send a message of coexistence. Reportedly, the ifta which was sponsored by the u.s. agency for international development brought together around 80 jews, muslims and christians from throughout Israel and Samaria.
According to the report, iea organiser and manager said this year it was particularly significant amid the ongoing war in Gaza and there was a long waiting list to participate. Reportedly, she said, coming here is a statement, many will tell you this is not the time to meet. We’re telling them quite the opposite.
According to the report, the iea is a non profit organisation founded in 2001 during the second palestinian uprising to create a movement for peace. Reportedly, the director established it in the belief that peaceful relations are a prerequisite for any sustainable political solution to the conflict.
According to the report, today the organisation comprises 40 chapters where israelis and palestinians meet around once a month including in the u.s. and Samaria. Reportedly, the iea offers old and new members the chance to meet and connect, organisers talk about a remedy for prejudice and demonisation, saying with the war the images of the other are magnified therefore its important to come together, look at each other in the eye and remind ourselves we can live together.