Jordan Interfaith Action CC.

Art & Religion
29.April – 04.May 2004
Amman – Jordan

Using Art as a tool for dialogue between religions was the theme of the contact making seminar which was held in Jordan last spring, 29 participants representing 21 organization coming from 14 deferent countries which is (Palestine, Egypt, Israel, Tunisia, Turkey, Portugal, Spain, France, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Jordan) gathered in Amman to come out with projects addressing young people on the above theme.




The five days event, went through several stages, were participants was introduced to each other, it was very interesting when it was the first time in his life for an Egyptian young man to meet with a Jew or even Israeli, participants were representing the three Abrahamic traditions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, also the harmony and the relation which was built between the Palestinian participants and the Israeli participants was a good proof that peace is possible on our region, our organization was calling and still do, that Religion is not the Problem in the Middle East but for sure it can be the solution.


It was also a great chance for European participants to learn more about the situation in the Middle East, and specially in Jordan, one of the interesting things which was said by one of the participants from Europe “I really want to apologize for all the Arabs and Specially Jordanians; I was planning to not attend, because I was worry and afraid because of what I see every day in the news, but now since am here, I can see in my eyes the reality and the great hospitality that we lived here”


Some exercises on Intercultural learning and communication skills was delivered also a short training on creative thinking was delivered by a professional trainer, the main idea of this Seminar is to come out with future projects and ways of cooperation between the participant’s organizations.



Between the 21 organization 6 Cooperation Circles from the URI-Middle East and North Africa participated, three from Jordan, one from Israel, Egypt, and Tunisia, each organization delivered a presentation on its activities; the URI Cooperation Circles presented one big presentation about the URI activities and about the CC’s activities in the MENA Region.

The outcome of this Seminar is to organize three youth exchanges in Jordan, Germany, and Greece; those exchanges will take part next year.




The Jordan Interfaith Action CC. is the first Cooperation Circle and Jordan, which aims to build bridges of understanding between Jordanian youth and youth from all around the world especially in the Middle East region.

Anas Alabbadi
Jordan Interfaith Action CC.