Palestinian Christians share Ramadan spirit

JERUSALEM-Hala Jahshan, a resident of the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, isn’t a Muslim, but like many Holy Land Christians, she feels enriched by the Ramadan traditions of her Muslim neighbors and co-workers. “Palestinian Muslims and Christians live together, we share the same destiny and we join in each other’s celebrations,” says […]

JERUSALEM-Hala Jahshan, a resident of the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, isn’t a Muslim, but like many Holy Land Christians, she feels enriched by the Ramadan traditions of her Muslim neighbors and co-workers. “Palestinian Muslims and Christians live together, we share the same destiny and we join in each other’s celebrations,” says Jahshan, who greets tourists at the Melia Center, an embroidery cooperative for Palestinian women run by the Arab Orthodox Society. While holiday celebrations can underscore the differences and exacerbate tensions between various religious groups, Palestinians say holidays like Ramadan, which ends here next Tuesday (Sept. 30), tend to bring Christians and Muslims closer together.

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