An evening with Daniel Munayer at Norwich church

Daniel Munayer, the Executive Director of Musalaha, a faith-based organisation that teaches, trains, and facilitates reconciliation, mainly between Israelis and Palestinians from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, visited Norwich in May.

Daniel is a half British and half Palestinian Israeli and is driven by his Christian faith to develop and deliver conflict resolution programmes. Daniel encapsulates the rich diversity and fascinating complexity that continues to offer hope to resolving the intractable conflict that impacts all who live in the Land that some call holy. He is the only Palestinian ever to be invited to personally address the UN Security Council.

Daniel visited Holy Trinity Church in Norwich. Noah Marsh, a student, commented “Daniel’s words helped me to see how communities can actively seek to grow in understanding and love for one another, to practically put into place the Biblical perspective for reconciliation: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).”

Yuyu Ng, a member of Holy Trinity’s 20s & 30s group, said, “As an individual coming from a complex cultural background, it struck me when I heard how Daniel applied the teachings of reconciliation from the Bible to such deep and complex affairs. It acted as a metaphorical fire extinguisher, extinguishing the anger that had been deeply buried in my heart regarding the injustice faced in the socio-political context of Hong Kong. It serves as another reminder that God has personally taught us how to approach conflicts through reconciliation which is sustainable and eternal.”