Eliyahu McLean - Peace Vigils in Jerusalem

<BODY> <H1><A HREF="Eli-peacevigil.html">Prayers and Plagues in Jerusalem</A></H1> <P>In an atmosphere where our two nations are besieged by terror and paralyzed with fear, a circle of Israelis and Palestinians have been meeting weekly for the past 18 months. On Friday March 29th we held our 80th Old City Peace Vigil in the small courtyard overlooking the Western Wall and Al-Aqsa mosque. In a time when many in our circle feel deeply challenged to do something positive, silence and shared prayer seems to be the most powerful contributions we can offer at this most unforgiving time.</P> <P>On this holy day to the three Abrahamic faiths  Good Friday, Pesach and Salat al-Juma'ah (Muslim Friday prayers) we gathered with messages from many people and vigils around the world praying for peace in the Holy Land.</P> <P>As we sat in silence, we were joined by a group of Christians living at St. Andrews monastery, among them nuns and pilgrims from Germany, England, France and the Philippines. Christians linked hands with Muslims, who linked hands with Jews, and each person offered heart-felt supplications for peace.</P> <P>Among the unit of tough-looking border policeman in the area, one was especially moved when he saw the sight of such a diverse group gathering in such divisive times. Haj Ibrahim began by asking for the world to stop selling weapons to both sides for use in killing each other. Then Eli, an officer from the unit said "Halavai, if only your prayers for peace could succeed! I pray for true peace in the whole world."</P> <P>It has been 18 months since the initial violence that signaled the onset of the intifada. For the first time in a year, clashes erupted again outside Al-Aqsa mosque between Palestinians and Israeli security forces. While worshippers were wisked away from both the Temple Mount and the Wall, soldiers and police, Good Friday pilgrims and Haredim rushed to the overlook site in the small courtyard where we hold the vigil to watch the events. Just as Devorah was offering a plea for mercy in face of clashes on the Temple Mount, we heard the loud explosions of stun grenades. At that point our friend Nizar from East Jerusalem, who had just finished Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa, joined us. We stood still, bearing witness. When quiet prevailed, Nizar lifted the Quran and read a teaching about oneness and our unity as Children of God. Eliyahu offered a teaching from the Torah about the arrogance of exclusive human ownership of God�s Land.</P> <P>In spite of this plague of violence, this was a most inspiring peace vigil, bringing people together for a ray of collective hope. On the way out of the Old City, the narrow stone paths in the market were deserted, as if frozen in time. Then a hailstorm pelted Jerusalem, perhaps a message from above!</P>  <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript1.2"> </script><script type="text/javascript"> </script><noscript><img height="1" width="1" alt="" src="http://nht-2.extreme-dm.com/n2.g?login=jpeace&pid=elivigil&j=n&jv=n"/> </noscript>  </BODY>