Forty participants came to the 6th Israeli-Palestinian interfaith conference, organized by the Interfaith Encounter Association and the Nablus Youth Federation (NYF).

Our best success in this conference lay in the many sub-groups formed during the conference – either the planned small groups or groups formed spontaneously or at the initiative of participants - that reached meaningful depths and created wonderfully positive interaction between those who took part in them.

One valuable learning from this conference came from the insistence of both IEA and NYF to continue the process even during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan; we are committed to do our best to improve the process in the future.

The conference started on Thursday with dinner that broke the fast of the Muslim participants, many of whom had spent many hours on the roads from Nablus.  After dinner, opening remarks and introductions, the group was greeted by the representative of the United States Embassy, Ms. Cherrie Daniels, Director of the American Cultural Center in Jerusalem, who stressed the essential role of such dialogue in the process of building peace in the region. Following the opening remarks participants went into small groups, introducing themselves through personal information and through the sharing of a personal story of reconciliation. The evening concluded with a performance of the joint Jewish-Arab group of Ofer Golani and Abu Nicola who sang songs in Hebrew and Arabic with the active participation of the audience.

Friday started with an engaging presentation of the Jewish view of reconciliation, presented by Dr. Michael Kagan. Then we all joined the Muslim Jumaa prayer after which Ms. Raneen Msmar presented the Muslim concepts of reconciliation

The issue was further elaborated in small groups. Participants talked about what reconciliation is and how it can be achieved. For example, one engaged discussion covered the Islamic tradition, when there is a conflict between two people they approach the Kadi (the Judge) that refers them to the Koran and asks them to read it together first and see if they can find the solution themselves, without external help. Then a Sulha (reconciliation) is performed and compensation is given if needed, in good atmosphere accompanied with food. At the end of the session, the Drummers Circle gave us the unique chance to drum together.  After the Jewish Kabalat Shabbat prayer and dinner we came together for a Hafla (a party).

On Saturday the Christian perspective of reconciliation was delivered by Dean Ross Jones of St. George's College in Jerusalem.  Finally we had a concluding session and said farewell by jointly praying the Jewish and Muslim prayers for safe travel - for the long journey the Palestinian participants were starting back home.

It was gratifying to have such a conference take place in our present reality and have a humanizing impact on its participants.