May 18, 2007

A delegation of women from the National Council of Churches in USA (NCCUSA) visited the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan during the period of May 10 – 14, 2007. The purpose of the visit was to get acquainted with the situation in Jordan as a place of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, gain immense perspectives and insights about the overall situation of the Middle East conflict, and shed light on the plight of women and children in the Middle East and to lift up their voices to be heard around the world.

The NCCUSA delegation comprises of 15 women church leaders from several denominations in USA affiliated with PCUSA. During their pilgrimage in Jordan, the delegation had several visits and meetings: meeting with RHR Prince Hassan Bin Talal, the MECC General Secretary, the former spokeswoman for the Jordanian Government and the minister for information and media, the Orthodox Women Society, leading Jordanian women, church leaders, and visited the Gaza Palestinian refugee camp accompanied by the DSPR Chair Person, the Jordanian Inter-Faith Coexistence research Centre in Amman, and the King Abdullah II Center for Excellence.

In his meeting with the group, RHR Prince Hassan highlighted the overall situation in the Middle East stressing on the investment in dialogue and peace. One of the most profound meetings in their pilgrimage was meeting with Iraqi women who were living as guests in Jordan.

The MECC Office Director in Amman Ms Wafa Gousous organized the visit and accompanied the group. The ecumenical women delegation continues its visit to Palestine/Israel and heard difficulties of Palestinian women and children under Israeli strict security measures.

For further details contact Ms Wafa Gousous: wafa_mecc@go.com.jo.

Middle East Council of Churches