Look around you and tell me what world you live in: one dominated by war or immersed in soothing peace? Given all the mayhem we witness through the media (and many a time directly all around us), the answer seems to be a world occupied by war. But there are people like Frank Romano who not only believe in peace but are also actively involved in precipitating peace in the world. Here is Frank's latest update on his peace efforts in the Arab-Isreal region.INTERFAITH FREEDOM MARCH
The Interfaith Freedom March will take place on Feb. 23rd, 2009. The group which will set out at 10 am ---------- in front of Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, West Bank-------- to Rachel’s Tomb, near Bethlehem, West Bank.
The marchers will walk in the light of the creator, following the principles of non-violence and respect for all creatures which are common denominators among the Peoples of the Book (ahl al-kitab) who reside in the area, as it is written in their Holy Scriptures of the Qur’an, the Torah, the New Testament, and in other texts. Muslims, Jews, Christians, Sufis, Kabbalists, Buddhists, Hindus, atheists, etc., and members of all faith communities are welcome.
The truth is that residents of the area are ready for a durable peace, even those who were not ready a year or two ago. Similar to the situation in Ireland and other conflict areas, residents of the area have become fed up with, as well as exhausted and disgusted by the violence and truly seek peaceful coexistence.
As a result, many are laying down their arms, working on interfaith projects to take religion/spirituality out of the conflict and working within the political system to bring about change in a permanent, nonviolent way.
A purpose of this march is also to counter-balance the filtered and false information about the suffering of the people in the area, notably Palestinians and Israelis. Their suffering has become invisible in the face of narratives with no basis in reality and exaggerated reporting on incidents of violence and subsequent retaliation, often dominating the news and distracting the world from focusing on the day to day suffering of the residents in the area.
Moreover, removing all West Bank settlements would help in diffusing the tension accelerating since 1967.
As such, the occupation of the West Bank must end as a precursor to peaceful coexistence on the condition that adequate security measures are taken by both sides to preserve the peace.
Another purpose of this event is to facilitate working together of all active freedom/peace/human rights groups in the area and in the World. It is also dedicated to building on humanitarian efforts to improve the education of people in the area (cross-cultural dialogues, mixed student programs, etc.) and to improve the economic environment.
This event will set up a concerted and consistent effort in furtherance of freeing the area from the terrible bondage of continued conflict.
Let this march be a precursor to freedom through love and understanding by bringing all people together, as brothers and sisters and as children of the creator, showing the world that all people want peace in Israel and Palestine.
