From left, Deputy Minister of Regional Cooperation Ayoob Kara Ayoob Kara, Dr. Moti Zaken, Rev. David Pileggi converse in the courtyard of Christ Church Jerusalem on Aug. 24, 2015.
Deputy Minister of Regional Cooperation Ayoob Kara visited Christ Church this week where he was hosted by Dr. Moti Zaken and Rector David Pileggi of Christ Church Jerusalem. The visit was significant in that it’s part of a growing relationship between the local Christian community, Israel and the Kurds.
Mr. Kara was part of a group of local politicians and academics who have hosted both Kurdish political and spiritual leaders from southeast Turkey in the past. Mr. Zaken is the director of Minority Affairs in the Ministry of Public Security.
Canon Andrew White talks with Ayoob Kara in the coffee shop at Christ Church Jerusalem on Aug. 24, 2015.
Kara and members of his staff were very interested to hear about At the Crossroads’ work within the refugee communities in Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon and about the 200 year history of CMJ’s work in the Middle East (CMJ is Christ Church’s parent organization). Kara and members of his staff toured the Christ Church campus and then were met by Canon Andrew White, who shared with them his work of relief and reconciliation in the region.
The next day interesting articles appeared in the Financial Times and Jerusalem Post about the growing relationship between the Kurds and Israel.
For those of us with At the Crossroads and Derech Avraham it’s been an excellent opportunity help foster both relationships and cooperation between ancient Assyria and Israel. The Highway/Mesilah is beginning to be raised up and your prayers have played an important part in this.