No subject
Thu Jun 15 21:23:19 EDT 2006
destruction and death, voices of hope and love still emerge. These are the v=
oices of=20
reason and humanity that the world will always need and cherish. Be sure lov=
e and=20
peace will always win and finally reign. We need to work harder to make this=
=20
happen.=20
=20
We are sorry that our long awaited Middle East Gathering or Yearly Meeting=20
has been postponed. The untimely war that took Lebanon, the Lebanese and man=
y=20
others by surprise has been enough reason not only to postpone our YM but al=
so=20
to change the face of the Middle East. The coming uncertainty will surely ha=
ve=20
a big impact on future events.=20
=20
Ramallah and Brummana have been two sister meetings since the late 1800s.=20
They have both contributed enormously to the fine education of Middle Easter=
n=20
youth and contributed to the bringing together of global east and west throu=
gh=20
their schools and f(F)riends meetings. All that has happened with little mea=
ns=20
and sometimes under antagonistic forces. Yet we made it with pride and succe=
ss.=20
Thanks to our wide and diverse body of old scholars from both schools, our=20
words of loving Peace, Friendship and that of God in everyone, continue to=20
spread in our area. But that is not enough. We need to continue with more=20
collaboration and inclusiveness.=20
=20
In the fifty years that I remember, Ramallah and Brummana Friends met 4=20
times. Rarely to discuss common business, but rather as a world gathering to=
foster=20
our international belongingness to the wider family of Friends. Why? Because=
=20
our area had always been a conflict zone and our Quaker beliefs were daily=20
tested by, and jeopardized by, the current events of the area. Since the 195=
0s=20
our Meetings had begun to dwindle in numbers for that reason. Yet we go on.=20=
For=20
how long? It all depends.=20
=20
It depends on whether we can still spread the words of love and peace.=20
Whether our schools can survive the destruction of war, the new / old emerg=
ing=20
culture of martyrdom and death; the double standards that we are subjected t=
o. It=20
also depends on the support we get from our wider Quaker family. It depends=20=
on=20
whether our wider family can be more active in the international arena and=20
the United Nations.=20
=20
The East West cultural gap needs to be bridged. Scholars and academicians=20
have to work harder than politicians to find the way forward. There is an=20
emerging Arab populace that is dissatisfied with the double standards of the=
west and=20
with their leaders who have embraced the "unfair" west. Only logical and=20
peaceful solutions can be accepted. There should be no more suppression and=20=
no=20
more bullying. Lebanon and Gaza continue to pay the price for that. The=20
destruction and death that has befallen these two peoples is colossal. Their=
reaction,=20
if coupled with extremist Islamic groups, is world threatening. We need to=20
remedy that through help, real help, practical and comprehensive. Israel has=
to=20
understand that brutality cannot and will not curb Arab enthusiasm. She need=
s=20
to be more compassionate and attractive to her Arab neighbors. Israel=E2=80=
=99s actions=20
since the 50s have not gained her Arabs friends but only enemies and some=20
ferocious suicidal ones at that.=20
=20
Immediate relief to Lebanon can be in any form. All international aid=20
agencies are doing good work given the embargo and blockade. Contributions s=
hould be=20
made to agencies that have a high ratio of real aid and low overhead expense=
s =20
- usually indicated in their websites.=20
=20
=20
Tony Manasseh
Brummana, August 2006
=20
-------------------------------1156888311
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<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT=20=
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>To Friends Everywhere</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT=20=
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>August 2006</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT=20=
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Dear Friends </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>In these extremely turbulent times i=
n the </SPAN><st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>Middle East</SPAN></st1:place><SP=
AN lang=3DEN-GB>, the sad news that Middle East Yearly Meeting has been canc=
elled is hardly surprising. It was to have been an important gathering for F=
riends from the two monthly meetings, Ramallah and Brummana, and other inter=
national visitors, on the theme: Leading the </SPAN><st1:place><SPAN lang=
=3DEN-GB>Middle East</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB> to a Lasting Peac=
e. The meeting was to have taken place in </SPAN><st1:place><st1:City><SPAN=20=
lang=3DEN-GB>Brummana</SPAN></st1:City><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>, </SPAN><st1:coun=
try-region><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>Lebanon</SPAN></st1:country-region></st1:place=
><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>, from 7 to </SPAN><st1:date Month=3D"9" Day=3D"10" Year=
=3D"2006"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>10 September 2006</SPAN></st1:date><SPAN lang=
=3DEN-GB>. </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>We share with you (on page 2) a lett=
er from Tony Manasseh of Brummana Monthly Meeting. We also wish to suggest t=
o Friends world-wide that on 10 September we all join in holding the Middle=20=
East Friends in the light, thanking God for their continuing fortitude and w=
itness and praying that ways will open for the </SPAN><st1:place><SPAN lang=
=3DEN-GB>Middle East</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB> to be led to a la=
sting Peace.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT=20=
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Below are some contact details for those w=
ho wish to find out more or donate money. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT=20=
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Peace, Shalom, Salaam</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I style=3D"mso-bidi-font=
-style: normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Ro=
man">Marit Kromberg, Clerk<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I style=3D"mso-bidi-font=
-style: normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Ro=
man">Bronwyn Harwood, Executive Secretary<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></I=
></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT=20=
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>NOTE</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>You can send messages for Friends in=
the </SPAN><st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>Middle East</SPAN></st1:place><SPA=
N lang=3DEN-GB> to <A href=3D"mailto:meym at fwcc.quaker.org">meym at fwcc.quaker.=
org</A> for forwarding</SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4pt; BORDER=
-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1pt; BORDER-L=
EFT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-TOP: 1pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt s=
olid; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt">
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"=
Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=3D"Times=
New Roman">Funds are <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">not</B> bein=
g collected for specific Quaker relief work by Middle East Friends. Brummana=
Friends suggest that donations should be made to any of the reputable major=
charities working in the field. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"=
Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=3D"Times=
New Roman">Donations to Friends Schools in both Brummana and Ramallah are a=
lways welcome and help them to continue their important contribution to educ=
ation in the region. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"=
Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"><st1:place><st1:PlaceName><B styl=
e=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11=
pt">Brummana</SPAN></B></st1:PlaceName><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: nor=
mal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </SPAN></B><st1:PlaceType=
><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-=
SIZE: 11pt">High School</SPAN></B></st1:PlaceType></st1:place><SPAN lang=3DE=
N-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> <SPAN style=3D"mso-tab-count: 2">  =
; &nb=
sp; </SPAN>Principal: Dr Walid Khouri<SPAN sty=
le=3D"mso-tab-count: 2"> &nbs=
p; </SPAN>=
<A href=3D"http://www.bhs.edu.lb/">http//:www.bhs.edu.lb</A> <o:p></o:p></SP=
AN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-=
SIZE: 11pt">Donations can be made to: The Quaker International Educational T=
rust (QuIET) which is a charitable company registered in </SPAN><st1:country=
-region><st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">England</SPA=
N></st1:place></st1:country-region><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11=
pt"> and </SPAN><st1:country-region><st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"F=
ONT-SIZE: 11pt">Wales</SPAN></st1:place></st1:country-region><SPAN lang=3DEN=
-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">. Contact for further information: <A href=3D"=
mailto:brianmorphy at hvmail.co.uk">brianmorphy at hvmail.co.uk</A><o:p></o:p></SP=
AN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"=
Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"><st1:place><st1:PlaceName><B styl=
e=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11=
pt">Friends</SPAN></B></st1:PlaceName><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: norm=
al"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </SPAN></B><st1:PlaceType>=
<B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-S=
IZE: 11pt">Schools</SPAN></B></st1:PlaceType></st1:place><B style=3D"mso-bid=
i-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">, Ramall=
ah<SPAN style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN></SPAN></=
B><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN style=3D"mso-tab-count:=
1"> </SPA=
N>Director: Joyce Ajlouni<SPAN style=3D"mso-tab-count: 3"> =
&nbs=
p; </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=
lang=3DEN-GB><A href=3D"http://www.palfriends.org/"><FONT size=3D3>http://w=
ww.palfriends.org</FONT></A></SPAN><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11=
pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=3D"Times=
New Roman">Donations can be made to Global Ministries, Friends United Meeti=
ng:<SPAN style=3D"mso-tab-count: 2"> &nbs=
p; </SPAN>=
</FONT><A href=3D"http://www.fum.org/"><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">http:/=
/www.fum.org</FONT></A><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></S=
PAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"=
Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight:=
normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The Friends Internatio=
nal Centre Ramallah</SPAN></B><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">=20=
in partnership with Ramallah Monthly Meeting is seeking to serve the cause o=
f peace and justice in the region. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=3D"Times=
New Roman">It is in need of financial support now.<SPAN style=3D"mso-tab-co=
unt: 5"> &n=
bsp; =
&nbs=
p; &n=
bsp; </SPAN></FONT><A href=3D"http://www.ramallah.quaker.o=
rg/"><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">http//:www.Ramallah.quaker.org</FONT></A=
><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"=
Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight:=
normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">American Friends Servi=
ce Committee</SPAN></B><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> is resp=
onding to the developing humanitarian and political crisis in </SPAN><st1:pl=
ace><st1:City><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Gaza</SPAN></st1:=
City><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">, </SPAN><st1:country-regi=
on><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Lebanon</SPAN></st1:country-=
region></st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">, </SPAN><st=
1:country-region><st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Isr=
ael</SPAN></st1:place></st1:country-region><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-=
SIZE: 11pt">, and the </SPAN><st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZ=
E: 11pt">West Bank</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE:=20=
11pt"> with a crisis fund. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in;=
BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0i=
n 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium=
none; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windo=
wtext .5pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face=3D"Times=
New Roman">For articles, campaigns and details of how to contribute <SPAN s=
tyle=3D"mso-tab-count: 4"> &n=
bsp; =
&nbs=
p; </SPAN></FONT><A href=3D"http://www.afsc.org/"><FONT fa=
ce=3D"Times New Roman">http://www.afsc.org/</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>=
</DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I style=3D"mso-bidi-font=
-style: normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=
=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT=20=
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>August 2006</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT=20=
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>From the midst of great suffering and unfa=
irness, from the land of destruction and death, voices of hope and love stil=
l emerge. These are the voices of reason and humanity that the world will al=
ways need and cherish. Be sure love and peace will always win and finally re=
ign. We need to work harder to make this happen. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>We are sorry that our long awaited M=
iddle East Gathering or Yearly Meeting has been postponed. The untimely war=20=
that took </SPAN><st1:country-region><st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>Lebanon</=
SPAN></st1:place></st1:country-region><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>, the Lebanese and=20=
many others by surprise has been enough reason not only to postpone our YM b=
ut also to change the face of the </SPAN><st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>Middl=
e East</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>. The coming uncertainty will su=
rely have a big impact on future events. </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT=20=
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Ramallah and Brummana have been two sister=
meetings since the late 1800s. They have both contributed enormously to the=
fine education of Middle Eastern youth and contributed to the bringing toge=
ther of global east and west through their schools and f(F)riends meetings.=20=
All that has happened with little means and sometimes under antagonistic for=
ces. Yet we made it with pride and success. Thanks to our wide and diverse b=
ody of old scholars from both schools, our words of loving Peace, Friendship=
and that of God in everyone, continue to spread in our area. But that is no=
t enough. We need to continue with more collaboration and inclusiveness. </F=
ONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT=20=
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>In the fifty years that I remember, Ramall=
ah and Brummana Friends met 4 times. Rarely to discuss common business, but=20=
rather as a world gathering to foster our international belongingness to the=
wider family of Friends. Why? Because our area had always been a conflict z=
one and our Quaker beliefs were daily tested by, and jeopardized by, the cur=
rent events of the area. Since the 1950s our Meetings had begun to dwindle i=
n numbers for that reason. Yet we go on. For how long? It all depends. </FON=
T></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT=20=
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>It depends on whether we can still spread=20=
the words of love and peace. Whether our schools can survive the destruction=
of war, the<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>new / old emergi=
ng culture of martyrdom and death; the double standards that we are subjecte=
d to. It also depends on the support we get from our wider Quaker family. It=
depends on whether our wider family can be more active in the international=
arena and the United Nations. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>The East West cultural gap needs to=20=
be bridged. Scholars and academicians have to work harder than politicians t=
o find the way forward. There is an emerging Arab populace that is dissatisf=
ied with the double standards of the west and with their leaders who have em=
braced the "unfair" west. Only logical and peaceful solutions can be accepte=
d. There should be no more suppression and no more bullying. </SPAN><st1:cou=
ntry-region><st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>Lebanon</SPAN></st1:place></st1:co=
untry-region><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB> and </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN lang=
=3DEN-GB>Gaza</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB> continue to p=
ay the price for that. The destruction and death that has befallen these two=
peoples is colossal. Their reaction, if coupled with extremist Islamic grou=
ps, is world threatening. We need to remedy that through help, real help, pr=
actical and comprehensive. </SPAN><st1:country-region><st1:place><SPAN lang=
=3DEN-GB>Israel</SPAN></st1:place></st1:country-region><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB> h=
as to understand that brutality cannot and will not curb Arab enthusiasm. Sh=
e needs to be more compassionate and attractive to her Arab neighbors. </SPA=
N><st1:country-region><st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>Israel</SPAN></st1:place=
></st1:country-region><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>=E2=80=99s actions since the 50s ha=
ve not gained her Arabs friends but only enemies and some ferocious suicidal=
ones at that. </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>Immediate relief to </SPAN><st1:coun=
try-region><st1:place><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB>Lebanon</SPAN></st1:place></st1:cou=
ntry-region><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB> can be in any form. All international aid ag=
encies are doing good work given the embargo and blockade. Contributions sho=
uld be made to agencies that have a high ratio of real aid and low overhead=20=
expenses<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>-<SPAN style=3D"mso-=
spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>usually indicated in their websites. </SPAN></F=
ONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><=
FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I style=3D"mso-bidi-font=
-style: normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Ro=
man">Tony Manasseh<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I style=3D"mso-bidi-font=
-style: normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Ro=
man">Brummana, August 2006<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I style=3D"mso-bidi-font=
-style: normal"><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB><o:p><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=
=3D3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></I></P></BODY></HTML>
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