Nazareth

9/05/12

Yesterday afternoon after school we drove directly to Nazareth with Ra'ada and Ra'wi her little son. First we visited the doorshop of her husband and met her sister. Arriving at Mary's Well, it's the world in a nutshell. There were people from allover the world to visit the Well. It's in a very small church and the owner is the Greek Orthodox Church (religion number 1). Hereafter we went to another sister to park the car and her son accompanied us to the Church of the Annunciation (religion number 2). While walking we passed lot's of pilgrims on the streets. The church was in one word: phenomenal! It had two floors; the groundfloor with the old remainings of the former church and the first floor with the choir. There was actually a group of pilgrims singing at the choir. Leaving the church we walked around and there was a hallway full of images of Mary and each time below the name of the country. We didn't found one of Belgium. Leaving the church Ra'ada sisters's son took us through the old market/bazaar and he knew almost all of the people, later you'll know why!

We stopped at the White Mosque (religion number 3) and a men knew Ra'ada sisters's son and he guided us through the mosque. There is a digital clock that tells the muslims when to pray and everywhere signs of the Koran. The men told me that the Mosque was called 'white' because of the purity of the Islam and not because of the white building as I thoughed. And now why Ra'ada's nephew knew a lot off people, he is part of the Fahoom family and his grandfather was mayor of Nazareth when the Independance War broke out. He managed to convice the people of Nazareth to stay and not fled. The family tree of the Fahoom hangs in the mosque. So because the Arabs didn't fled the Jewish people built a new town right next to Nazareth and called it Nazareth Illit.

Praying clock of the muslims

After a long day there was still plenty to come. Scott, one of the Americans was celebrating his birthday so with my host family we went to buy a huge heartshaped chocolate cake. The party was at the host family of Scott and everybody could come. After a long day a good sleep was needed so after a firm cup of tea I hit the bed. I started thinking about Nazareth and how three religions lived side by side on no more than 100 square meters.

Greetings

Jens