On Monday, May 27, 2025, the An-Najah Center for Religious Studies (ANCERS) hosted a foreign delegation from the Center for Justice and Peace, in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The event was attended by Prof. Jamal Zaid Al-Kilani, Dean of the Faculty of Shari’ah and Director of the Center, Mr. Raed Debiy, Assistant to the University President for Community Affairs, along with members of the academic staff and students.

Prof. Al-Kilani opened the event with a welcoming address, highlighting the importance of such visits in strengthening religious and cultural dialogue. He also introduced the ANCERS website (adyan.najah.edu) to the attendees, with the assistance of Engineer Lubna Kino.
Speaking on behalf of the university administration, Mr. Debiy welcomed the visitors and delivered a brief speech underscoring the vital role the university plays in promoting the values of peace, coexistence, and openness to others.
The delegation was accompanied by Reverend Dr. Munther Isaac, Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College, who played a key role in enriching the dialogue and responding to questions related to Christianity. His contributions helped foster mutual understanding and expand the scope of constructive discussion.

The meeting also featured lectures centered on the themes of “Justice and Peace in Islam.” Professor Odeh Abdullah emphasized that “peace in Islam is not merely a secondary principle, but rather the foundation upon which the message of Islam has been built since its inception.” He explained that Islam calls for coexistence and mutual understanding among people, citing verses from the Holy Qur’an that advocate justice, mercy, and dialogue. He stressed that warfare in Islam is a conditional exception, while peace and coexistence remain the fundamental principle.

Previous Next

Dr. Amer Jodallah further explained that the Qur’an presents peace as a central value, establishing coexistence on the basis of mercy and mutual understanding rather than hostility or conflict. He clarified that relations with non-Muslims should be built upon justice and benevolence as long as they do not commit aggression, referencing verses that call for kindness and good dialogue. He affirmed that religious difference is not a justification for hostility but a part of the natural order of the universe, urging a conscious
reading of the Qur’an to grasp its true message of love and tolerance.

The meeting was moderated in English by Ms. Rana Qadri, lecturer at An-Najah National University, who enhanced audience engagement by facilitating a lively and open dialogue between the guests and the students of the Faculty of Shari’ah. By posing thoughtful questions and encouraging constructive discussion, she helped bring perspectives closer together and introduced participants to different religions, thereby underscoring the importance of religious discourse in advancing the values of peace, justice,
and love among people.

This meeting reflects the vision of An-Najah Center for Religious Studies (ANCERS) to promote interfaith understanding, engage with international institutions dedicated to justice and peace, and strengthen the university’s role as a platform for dialogue and reconciliation between peoples and cultures.