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So I finally decided to go with Audeh G. Rantisi’s Blessed Are the Peacemakers: A Palestinian Christian in the Occupied West Bank. I had purchased it before leaving on my trip and since it seemed like a quick read, I felt it was a good place to pick up from.
I was correct in that it was definitely a quick—but not always easy—read; at 164 pages I finished it in 2 days. It is basically Audeh’s life story as told by Ralph K. Beebe (written in 1st person). The narrative starts with the events of 1948, when Audeh was 11 years old and driven from his home in Lydda (now named Lod) to live as a tent-dwelling refugee in Ramallah. Later on, Audeh studied at the Bible College of Wales as well as Aurora College in Illinois. Audeh also spent some time in the Sudan as a teacher before returning to Ramallah. He eventually married, opened a school for boys with his wife, and became involved in politics as mayor of Ramallah in 1980. Since the narrative’s events span from 1948-1990, this account is clearly a bit ‘dated,’ but still a highly relevant and powerful read.
It is always bittersweet reading these kinds of stories as they are full of pain, but also of love and hope. What touched me—if not also somewhat surprised me—were the various instances of miracles, either big or small, that Audeh witnessed and which constantly guided him in making important life decisions. It is definitely inspirational and a reminder to remain steadfast in our faith, and to remember that if something is meant to be, God will guide you to it.
Another thing that touched me was Audeh’s influence on Muslim Palestinians while serving as mayor of Ramallah. Audeh shares stories of Muslims asking for help and wanting to read and own their own copy of the Bible, which he would provide them. In a part of the world where religion can be so divisive, it warms one’s heart to read about a Palestinian Christian having close personal relationships with Palestinian Muslims and even opening up their hearts to Christianity.
I also enjoyed seeing other Palestinian Christian figures being mentioned and quoted such as Elias Chacour ("Blood Brothers") and Raja Shehadeh (Palestinian Walks). In closing, I share this powerfully-written passage by Raja Shehadeh in his book The Third Way, as quoted by Audeh in his narrative:
“States of mind cannot be forced on you. This is where you are free, your own master—because your mind is the one thing that you can prevent your oppressor from having the power to touch, however strong or brutal he may be.”I hope always to remember this truth.
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