I wrote this story after returning from a trip to Palestine in April of 2007.
We had met the two young Palestinian Muslim men the night before as we delivered food to a poor Muslim family in Bethlehem. “Khalid” is 21 and is studying to be an accountant. “Hakim” is 26 and is blind. When Hakim was 13 he found a live Israeli land mine in his back yard. He lost his right arm and his sight.
We had asked them to take us on a tour of Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. The young men did a good job of telling us the story of the birth of Jesus. As we left, I asked them if they could then take us to visit the Mosque of Omar.
This mosque was built across Manger Square from the Church of the Nativity and is a symbol of peaceful coexistence between Palestinian Christians and Muslims. The land the mosque is built on was donated by the Greek Orthodox Church.
We removed our shoes and eased in. We were met by a man who worked at the mosque. He wasn’t the Imam, but he worked for him. He took us inside and showed us around. Then it happened.
As we stood before the mihrab we began to talk about what the Qur’an says about Jesus. Hakim translated our conversation. It was an incredible exchange. The man we were sharing with had the typical responses I hear from most Muslims, but he was very cordial and listened to our replies and comments.
The conversation lasted for maybe half an hour or so. Good seeds were planted, both in the hearts of the man who works at the mosque and in the hearts of Khalid and Hakim. This was one of our divine appointments in Bethlehem.
Until ALL Have Heard,
jeg
