In various parts of the world, Christians are being persecuted and Catholic churches are being burned down. At the same time, Muslim refugees are also being shooed away.
It is refreshing and encouraging to know, therefore, that in Israel—the place where Jesus was born and shared the Gospel —representatives of various religions recently prayed with one unified voice.
Christian religious leaders joined representatives from the Jewish and Muslim communities in a gathering of music and prayer in Jerusalem. A music school located in a valley was transformed into a communal house of prayer, where the religious leaders took turns in leading worship.
Such a gathering is considered dangerous in the Middle Eastern country, where religions other than Judaism are usually not welcomed.
Catholic Rev Rafik, who used a different name in the programme to prevent a backlash against his family, admitted that he was initially sceptical about the idea of a common house of worship.
However, when he began interacting with people from other faiths, he said he realised how much they have in common despite their differences in beliefs.
"The idea was very nice but I did not see how it could happen. But when we started meeting up, I was surprised at how real relationships developed between us all and I discovered there was something interesting there," Rafik said, as quoted by The Guardian.
"And that friendship between us, I think, is the humble beginning we need to change people's hearts and from there, their minds," he added.
Rabba Tamar Elad-Abblebaum, who organised the event, praised everyone who participated in praying and singing for unity, saying it was a brave thing to do.
"I never believed something like this would be possible in my lifetime. Jews who live in the territories publicly praying together with Palestinians, this is a big risk and a huge step," she said.
She said the event was somehow a way to "reshape reality" where tolerance of other faiths is currently very low, adding that this was all accomplished through prayer.
