The session has just started. Please feel free to join us with your questions.
After the session has ended, you can view the whole dialogue by clicking on "Recent Sessions", or later by going through "Archives".
Answer
.
Name
Mohamed
-
Profession
Question
Hi Karen, I bet you had a great journey! I wish I could one day! have you been to aqsa mosque? Is it easy to get in there for since being not a muslim?
Answer
Salaam Mohamed...
Thank you for your question. I did go to Al Aqsa. It is beautiful. I actually saw many Muslims there and in fact, tourists are only allowed about 30 minutes to roam around before you are asked to leave the area.
The real issue is that Jewish people want to come there and pray, which in reality, everyone should have the right to pray there since it is such a holy site to the people of the three Abrahamic faiths, but I witnessed several Jewish pilgrims being stopped and asked to wait.
They are asked if they plan to pray and they usually answer, "No" even though they most likely do once they get it. As a Christian, I found time to pray as well. I think it is such an important site - it is really important that the area be shared and respected.
Name
Qasim
- Bangladesh
Profession
Question
as I read your blog on art and culture your trip was not easy. I wonder! if so how far it is going to be difficult for muslims to visit even if they have international passport like yours?!
Answer
Salaam Qasim,
You are right, although my trip was amazing, at times it was very difficult with all the check points and the reality of the oppression people face on an every day basis.
From what I heard and witnessed, most Muslims are questioned quite a bit when they enter the country, as well as leaving. While in the country, depending on whom you are traveling with (international group, etc), the freedom to move around depends on the situation.
However, what I found really surprising is that everyone is under scrutiny. An example being when I was leaving, I had a bracelet that says I Love Palestine in Arabic. I packed it but when security went through my bag, they found it. They questioned me about it, asked me if I could read Arabic and then let me go. If you want to visit though, I think you should go. It is safe, and it is an amazing place!
Name
Alison
- United States
Profession
Teacher
Question
Teaching students the history of Israel and Palestine can be difficult. What do you think is the future of these lands?
Answer
Hi Alison...
Good question. I wish I knew the answer. I think the future is up to the people. If they can find some semblance of peace and security within themselves, then can find it for the land. The real issue is the land however, and whom it belongs to. Or whom they think it belongs to.
As I walked through the streets of Hebron and noted the terrible living conditions, and the separation as well as settler and Palestinian kids hurling insults at each other, I wondered how hate can be stopped.
They learn at a young age, and until the hate is not passed down, there won't be change. I do think the future is in the children, but until attitudes change and an understanding is passed down on a human level, I don't see the situation changing very soon. However, as I mentioned in my piece, there are organizations and people working on this, so maybe in a decade or so, we will see a difference.
Name
Rana
-
Profession
Question
is it different the image that American media gives on Jerusalem then the real picture you saw on the ground?
Answer
Salaam Rana,
I would say that the American Media gives a very skewed view of the whole region, not just Jerusalem. All we see coming out of the region is the violent aspect, hence as I mentioned in my article, the remarks I received as I readied for my trip.
We never see in our media what I witnessed on the ground, especially the oppressive conditions the Palestinians are living with. I had no idea what the people in the West Bank live with, and now that I do, I am beside myself with trying to help people understand the situation.
I would have to say the same for Gaza as well, but since the war in December, the media here seems to be a little more aware.
Name
R.
-
Profession
Question
Salams Karen
Do you think the "conflict" there is a "faith-wise"? does religions complicate the way to peace?
Answer
Salaam R.,
I think the conflict is religiously exacerbated. It is very political as well, but religion play a huge role. I wouldn't necessarily say it is competing religions, or even truth claims, but more, a complete misunderstanding of each other and how religion plays into the every day lives of the people.
I do think religion complicates the peace process not only in the Middle East, but in places such as Iraq, Chechnya, and Somalia. In my opinion, and this is the work I am about to embark on in school, is there needs to be a way to utilize religion as a tool for peace.
Where are the similarities, as opposed to the differences? How does the foundations of each faith compliment each other, not separate? These are difficult questions and for thousands of years religion has been a motive for violence and hate. Simply stated, this attitude must change.
Name
Farrukh
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
As someone who lives outside this region of the world, how did you find the check point system that Palestinians have to go through? Were you given any preferential treatment?
Answer
Salaam Farrukh!
I found the check points frustrating and very intimidating. They search your bags, ask you what you are doing, where you are going, you have to walk through metal detectors, etc. The IDF has what are called flying check points - these are check points that can be set up anywhere at any time.
New check points pop up all the time. Sometimes you can wait for hours to get through. I was given preferential treatment as an international, especially when I was traveling alone in a taxi. I found it bizarre that just because I hold and American passport, I was waved through a check point into Jerusalem without even being stopped. I was also traveling on what they call clean roads - where no Palestinians can drive.
Name
Jim
- Canada
Profession
Question
How free are people in Jerusalem practicing their religions?
Answer
Hello Jim..
Great question. One thing I loved about Jerusalem was how in the Old City, all the Abrahamic faiths are there - people are coexisting quite well. The Old City is broken into four quarters - Jewish, Armenian, Christian and Muslim.
There is a distinct feeling as you cross from one quarter to the next, but there's no actual boundary that states, "You are now entering..." I saw Muslims in all the quarters, and Jews and Christians in the other quarters.
What I really loved is that on any given day, you can hear the call to prayer and church bells ringing. It is truly a beautiful holy place.
Name
Farrukh
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Me again. Who was the nicest person you met, or individual that left you with a lasting positive memory? And if this person is on-line, do you stay in touch with them?
Answer
Hello my Friend...
While walking through the Old City in Jerusalem, I met a very nice Bedouin man. Honestly, his name escapes me, but he sat me down because I said "Hello" to him, and told me about some ancient Bedouin customs and we had tea.
He read me like a book, noted that I was going through some deep changes in my life and told me about his childhood growing up in caves, etc. He was so fascinating and wise.
Name
muntaz
- France
Profession
Question
how was your christian team accepted by the Jews and the Muslims?
Answer
Great question, Muntaz...thanks!
We were received quite well! In fact, while in the West Bank, when people would ask where we were from and why we were there, we were always greeted with a hearty, "Welcome!" Many know what Christian Peacemaker Teams does in the area as well - that they have a permanent presence in the village of At Tuwani and soon will have a presence back in Hebron, and that CPT is there to protect the Palestinians as much as they can.
The mission in the village of At Tuwani is to make sure the children who walk from surrounding villages to school in Tuwani get there safely. The children have to pass by the Ma'on settlement, where settlers have actually attacked Palestinian children on their way to school. So, CPT is known as an organization that is there to help.
Name
Abdul-Rehman
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Salaam sister. Why did you go? What benefit did you get?
Answer
Salaam Abdul-Rehman...
I went to the Middle East as part of a peace delegation with Christian Peacemaker Teams. There, we learned about the efforts on the ground to end the conflict as well as what is really occurring with the Palestinians and the oppression they face on a daily basis.
The benefit is that I am now more educated on the situation and I have brought it back here to the states, where I teach, am making a film about my experience that I plan to show in the Fall, and bring awareness to what's really occurring over there. I am so lucky to have gone and I hope to get back there in the Spring of 2111.
Name
Sienna
- Canada
Profession
Question
If one thing sums up your experience, what would that be and why?
Answer
Hello Sienna...
One thing? That's difficult! :) I would say that I came away with a much clearer understanding of the situation, and how truly convoluted it is. Many would be frustrated by that, as I was and sometimes still am.
However, I am the type of person that does something when I see something that is unjust. So, I am going back to school to work on a theory I have in theology and conflict that has yet to be explored.
It's my hope that this theory can be utilized in conflict situations that are religiously motivated or exacerbated. With that, my experience brought me to a new level of understanding conflict, and at the same time, brought more questions. However, someone whom I am close to always says it's the questions that are important - sometimes there are no answers.
Name
Salima
- Australia
Profession
Question
what is the purpose of your visit? some ppl reject to go to the holy lands as it is a part of accepting Israel
Answer
Hello Salima...
Thank you for your question. I went over there as part of a peace delegation with Christian Peacemaker Teams.
I think going to the Holy Land is more important now than ever. More however, going into the areas that are not the main tourist areas is really important. Seeing the West Bank and what is really occurring there is incredibly important. I know people who went to Israel and never stepped foot in the West Bank except for Bethlehem. That cannot give people the correct perspective.
If you sit on a regular tour bus, the separation wall is explained as a wall that separates East and West Jerusalem, when in reality, the wall has literally cut off people's livelihoods.
What is more important to understand, I think, is that the conflict in the Holy Land has many sides, and all of those sides need to be understood and listened to. That doesn't mean people have to agree, it just means that there are at least three sides to every story and even more sides to a conflict.
In the Holy Land, the conflict stems around land, settlements, Palestinian land, tribal land, religion, languages, cultures, etc. It is so convoluted and so bogged down. I made it a point to listen to both sides of the story while there. The Israeli's have a story and the Palestinian's have a story - as a peacemaker, I cannot take sides, but more, I can do my best to understand and to listen. What I do with that is what's important.
Thanks so much!
Name
Closing Message From Karen
-
Profession
Question
"Thank you everyone for your thoughtful and interesting questions. I hope I answered your questions thoroughly. Go to the Holy Land if you can and be open to everyone and everything. It is truly an amazing, beautiful place."
Answer
.
Name
Host
-
Profession
Question
Finally, we would like to thank our guest for speaking to IslamOnline.net's readers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
