WUNRN

http://www.wunrn.com

http://interfaith-encounter.org/activities.htm

We believe that, rather than being the cause of the problem, religion can and should be a source of solution for conflicts that exist in the Middle East and beyond.

The Interfaith Encounter Association - IEA - was founded on the following principles and goals: 

v Equal representation of all faiths in the IEA;

v Gender equality in the decision making processes and activities of the IEA;

v Outreach to individuals and communities from all faiths, age groups, walks of life, and levels of society;

v Outreach to individuals and communities across the religious-secular and political spectra;

v Continual recruitment through committed activists on the local and regional levels;

v Implementation of interactive programs that effectively change outlooks and attitudes, such as extended weekend seminars and ongoing study groups;

v Continual development of new models for effective encounter; and

v Ongoing evaluation of all strategies and programs.

Additionally, the IEA maintains three interconnected programmatic sections. The general program is accessible to all segments of society, regardless of age or sex. Owing to the nature of many cultural religious practices in the Middle East, women are often times left out of the circle of interfaith dialogue initiatives. Issues of modesty for men and women in the four faith-traditions (Judaism, Islam, Christianity, & Druze) as well as the disparity between male and female representation in each tradition's higher clergy surround such interfaith encounters. These issues present themselves as obstacles that particularly affect female participation, resulting in the further marginalization of women from such initiatives. Consequently, it is especially important that women have their own space to come together across religious traditions and engage in interfaith peace-building work equally. The Women's Interfaith Encounter (WIE) was launched in the winter of 2001 to address this need and to rectify this potential pitfall in grassroots inter-religious work. For the women in the WIE, interfaith study also serves as a source of strength and empowerment to recognize the values and challenges they share with women outside their particular tradition.

http://interfaith-encounter.org/projects.htm

WOMEN'S INTERFAITH ENCOUNTER (WIE)

WOMEN'S INTERFAITH ENCOUNTER (WIE)

Muslim, Christian, Druze and Jewish women study together topics of relevance to women from the perspective of the different religions. Interfaith study is used as a vehicle not only for understanding, acceptance and respect for the other, but as a way to deepen awareness of one's own religion. The encounter is a source of strength and empowerment for women to recognize their shared values and struggles. Through monthly meetings and shared religious celebrations and conferences, WIE creates a sacred space of trust, harmony and support during difficult times.
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