Leading Change: YWCA in the Middle East

Testimonies of tolerance and cooperation

The Middle East is home to the three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Although the region has seen many civil conflict and wars, examples of acceptance, hospitality and cooperation abound. The YWCA presence in the Middle East dates back to 1893 when YWCA work began in Palestine. Since then, the YWCAs in the region have exemplified tolerance and cooperation delivering services and programmes in their predominately Muslim communities.

YWCA of Lebanon: Compassion bears fruit

by Mona Khauli, President

Lebanon is a pluralistic society of 3.5 million people living in the relatively small area of approximately 10, 000 square kilometres (3,860 square miles). An additional 500,000 Palestinian refugees and some 600,000 foreign workers live in Lebanon. Historically Lebanon has been a haven for communities escaping religious or political persecution and there are 18 religious communities freely worshipping and practising their belief.

The immediate neighbourhood of the YWCA headquarters is predominantly Muslim, where close to 20 different groups fought for control of the area during 17 years of civil war. It is in this context that the YWCA of Lebanon operates, regardless of religious or social class issues, addressing humanitarian needs that focus primarily on women and children. This is done with transparency and in partnership with local groups and earns YWCA the respect and absolute trust of the community.

During the war, between 1975 and 1991, South Lebanon was subject to heavy bombing and shelling by Israeli forces. One day, while school children celebrated a Muslim festival carrying candles and chanting, one of the candles sparked a big fire causing great panic and many casualties. YWCA members quickly went to the street to rescue the injured children and deliver them to hospitals.

Many years later, one of the YWCA members who had been among the rescuers jumped into a taxi in the city. As she neared her destination and prepared to settle the fare, the driver turned and said, “Madam, you don’t owe me anything, I owe my life to you. You do not remember me, I am the little boy you carried in your arms to a hospital for treatment of severe fire wounds, but I remember you and I will never forget your kindness.”

YWCA of Jordan: working together for a safer community

by Leila Diab, General Secretary

The YWCA of Jordan has been serving a community of women, men and children of different faiths, mainly Christians and Muslims since the 1950s. Jordan’s population is predominantly Muslim (95 percent) and the rest are Christians from different denominations. Following the footsteps of Jesus Christ, the YWCA of Jordan continues to serve through the years without any social, racial or religious discrimination, taking care of the needy, poor and deprived.

The YWCA of Jordan has a number of projects and programmes that include services for the Muslim community. Our work in the refugee camps includes a kindergarten, bakery, family counselling centre and sewing centre. It is always a pleasure to see the radiant faces of the children as they come to the kindergarten every morning and the hope on the women's faces employed in the bakery and the sewing centre. The Secretarial School, in the capital Amman, and the hostels in Husn and Amman enrol mostly Muslim women who register early to acquire knowledge and education in our Christian institution. The secretarial school also offers classes to Iraqi women and men and women from the Palestinian refugee camps, namely Beqa'a and Madaba.

In November 2005, suicide bombers attacked three hotels in Jordan. The Young Moslem Women's Associations and the YWCA of Jordan worked in partnership to allocate funds to support bereaved families—showcasing the close cooperation of one nation.

The YWCA of Jordan continues to be a shining example in the community as its members of dedicated Christian women, who believe in endlessly serving a community that is a mixture of Muslims and Christians, allow no room for differences or prejudice.

YWCA of Egypt: youth find common ground

by Dr Marlene Anawati, President

The YWCA of Egypt is the first and one of the oldest Christian women’s associations in Egypt. One of its most important services is the Youths’ and Children’s Summer Camps. These Camps are quite famous and the children who participate become eager to return every summer. We accept children and youth whether they are Christian or Muslim. We offer them leadership training and try to develop their mind, body and soul.

The YWCA partners with the Minister of Youth, who has come to appreciate our work. He has invited our youth to his camps and was impressed by how well they behave, participate and integrate with their peers. As a result, the YWCA youth have been invited to represent Egypt abroad in several Government-organised youth activities.

Another important youth activity is the Christmas Bazaar, which our YWCA Camp leaders plan and implement. Youth from both religions participate and invitations and advertisements are sent all over Cairo. A great number of Muslims men, women and children participate. During the Bazaar, Christmas Carols are sang all day and music to which everyone can dance is played. On such days, it is easy to see how easily people of both religions integrate. Local YWCAs in Assiut and Minia run similar events where the Egyptian community as a whole participates.

All our hostels have young women students of both religions living together as very good friends. The hostels have been operating for 80 years without any discrimination problems. The YWCA of Egypt is one of the most respected organisations amongst Christians and Muslims in the country because of its lack of discrimination against race, religion, class as well as for its good relationships and respect of government laws and rules.

YWCA of Palestine: building bridges of understanding

by Mira Rizek, General Secretary

For many women and girls, the YWCA of Palestine has been a haven. It has provided

the best and most affordable access to technical and vocational education, health awareness, safe childcare services and an empowering space to grow self-confidence, share miseries and rejoice in achievements. For people living under Israeli Occupation and in the most marginalised and remote rural areas or refugee camps, the YWCA of Palestine ensures their voices are heard.

The association dates back to 1893 and although it started as a relief agency, over the years the YWCA developed its programmes and strategies in full partnership with the communities it serves. What has kept us going for so many years? Our ability to respond to the most needy, our desire to reach out to women, children and youth and listen and work with them in full partnership and our ability to be genuinely responsive and build bridges of understanding.

Christians in Palestine have always been a minority, constituting 12-15 percent of the population in the early 1900s and decreasing to less than 1.5 percent to date. The YWCA runs programmes in two refugee camps, namely Aqbat Jaber and Jalazoune Refugee camp where the residents are exclusively Muslims. The residents recognise and respect the Christian identity of the organisation and continue to support and even protect its presence and services.

The YWCA has always promoted its Christian values of equity, fairness and empowering the most vulnerable through its work. We are genuine advocates for the powerless.