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April 28, 2006
Palestinian Sector: Muslims Threaten YMCA
The YMCA, or Young Men's Christian Association has been in existence for more than 150 years, since it was founded in London on June 6, 1844, by George Williams (1821 - 1905) a draper and Christian. The first YMCA hostel initially provide lodgings for migrant workers to London who were in need of accommodation. The YMCA movement became popular, and by 1854 had spread to 7 nations, including Canada and the US. In 1878, the first YMCA was opened in Jerusalem, and in 1890 had a Hebrew-speaking branch and an Arabic speaking branch in Jerusalem, and another in Jaffa (Haifa).
The YMCA's policy is to accept people regardless of their faith, and in modern-day Palestinian territories, there is an active branch of the YMCA in the town of Qalqilya on the edge of the West Bank, which lies now almost surrounded by the 8 meter high wall (pictured). This wall has turned the town from one formerly popular with Israelis, who shopped there, to a hub of Palestinian extremism.
News from today's UK Daily Telegraph reports that the YMCA at Qalqilya is under attack from Islamists in the local region. Muslim clerics are trying to close the branch. Recently, firebombs were thrown into the Qalqilya YMCA. A letter, written by Muslim clerics to the local council, demanding closure of the branch, stated: "The presence of this office will lead to negative consequences."
The deputy mayor of Qalqilya, Hashem al Masri, is a member of the Islamist group Hamas, and hates the notion of Christian influence in the region. He said that merely the group's name was a "challenge to the city...I know it is not civilized to attack it, but it is a challenge to the feeling of our people."
Despite its name, the YMCA is actively involved with work for local people, irrespective of their Muslim faith, and particularly in assisting children. The Qalqilya branch gives wheelchairs and prosthetics for kids, and has an annual budget of $85,000 for this purpose. Throughout the West Bank, the YMCA organisation has offices which employ 140 Palestinians, with 84 of these being Muslim.
We reported on the anti-Christian persecutions in Palestinian areas. 60 years ago, Christians numbered 20% of the population, but now make up only about 2%. With these attacks, the Christians have felt obliged to move away, to be replaced by Jewish settlers (there are 23 Israeli settlements in the area) and Muslims with large families.
Though the YMCA has a strict policy of non-proselytizing of Christian faith, Norris Lineweaver of YMCA West Jerusalem agreed that their name alone attracted negative attention: "The problems arise because of an unfortunate misunderstanding about our role. We are there simply to help the local councils, whether they are Muslim or Christian, with any youth development programmes they might have."
The West Bank YMCA would not speak to Tim Butcher, the Telegraph reporter, because of the current sensitivities. Marouf Zahran was the mayor of Qilqalya until ousted by Hamas last year, but said that the council and other groups made no effort to stop incitement against the YMCA.
One local YMCA worker said Christians and Muslims should cooperate, saying: "We live together - Muslims and Christians."
UPDATE: May 4. MEMRI has more details of the fatwa against the Qalqilia YMCA, which was signed by 40 clerics and dignitaries.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at April 28, 2006 8:25 PM
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