Al Amana Centre

08/07/2024

07/07/2024

27/06/2024

Have you ever wondered what it's like to experience the U.S. for the first time, specifically through a cultural and religious lens? If you're in West Michigan, join Al Amana Centre and RCA missionary Justin Meyers at Hope Church on Sunday, July 7 at 11:30 a.m. for a photovoice exhibition with 10 Omanis. No charge or registration required to participate.

This event is in partnership with Hope College, Interfaith Photovoice, and Kaufman Interfaith Institute .

30/05/2024

Noelle’s Reflection

One year ago, I (far left of first photo) traveled to Oman with a group of college students from the United States. My time was spent engaging with the local community, learning about the value of interfaith relationships and dialogue, exploring the beauties of Oman, all while building relationships with the Al Amana Centre staff. Not only was this an incredible immersive experience, but it was also the beginning to a year-long volunteer program where I would be working alongside Al Amana on communications/social media presence.

While I am very grateful for the opportunity to gain experience and provide support in the area of communications, I am even more grateful to have had the chance to witness, participate, and experience the live-giving work that the Al Amana Centre does in Oman. Through their efforts, the Al Amana Centre is fostering harmony and empathy among different faiths and societies — embodying the spirit of "love thy neighbor."

For my last post, I encourage you to share this post and partner with the Al Amana Centre in fostering trust and nurturing peace among ALL. Discover more and show your support here: https://alamanacentre.org/donate/

It is a privilege and a pleasure to play a small role in what God is doing through the Al Amana Centre. Thank you. 🤍

28/05/2024

Since her trip to Oman in May 2023, Noelle has been volunteering with the Al Amana Centre virtually from the United States. Through monthly zoom meetings and online communication, Noelle worked with the Al Amana communications team to create a consistent social media presence.

One of our goals as an international organization is to stay connected to our partners and supporters by sharing the exciting things happening at Al Amana Centre. Noelle has played a pivotal role in helping Al Amana with this and we are thankful for her work!

Stay tuned for her reflections on her time in Oman and her volunteer work over the last year.

25/05/2024

As part of our mission in the United States and in collaboration with many of Al Amana Centre’s partners in the US, we are sponsoring the Understanding & addressing anti-Muslim & anti-Jewish hate & discrimination event.

This *online* event is hosted by the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign: Standing with American Muslims; Advancing American Ideals, and the Kaufman Interfaith Institute from Grand Valley State University, and will feature special guests.

Register for the online event at the link below for a critical conversation to learn more about how Islamophobia & antisemitism are showing up in our communities and what we, as people of faith, can do about it.

📅 Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understanding-addressing-anti-muslim-anti-jewish-hate-discrimination-tickets-909780577197?aff=oddtdtcreator

🔎 Information taken from https://rb.gy/qu2t69

22/05/2024

Justin is in Istanbul, Turkey working with friends from Palestine, Lebanon, and Cyprus working on “how to be a prophetic voice.” This work is key in building bridges and fostering peace between faith communities.

17/05/2024

Ben’s Reflection Pt.3

Finally, I’ve appreciated being able to wrestle the deep problems and questions facing international nonprofit work today, such as how to deal with the legacy of colonialism and how to fundraise in an ethical manner. There’s no easy solution to these questions, but I’ve appreciated being on a team that takes them seriously and is willing to put in the hard work of addressing them responsibly.

14/05/2024

Ben’s Reflection Pt. 2

I’ve enjoyed learning how to carry out a ministry of presence. I’ve learned valuable lessons on meeting people where they’re at and on listening to stories that are different (or even at odds with) my own.

Through this process, I’ve also come to a deeper appreciation of God’s grace and how God manages to speak to each of us where we are at regardless of our background, blindspots and shortcomings.

11/05/2024

Ben’s Reflection Pt. 1

My favorite part of being at Al Amana Centre has been the opportunity to meet people from all over the world! I have met so many wonderful people who I have been able to learn from and share beautiful moments of joy and growth with.

I’ve loved learning not just about Omani culture, but also about Finnish, Indian, Palestinian and Nigerian culture through the people I’ve met here.

09/05/2024

We are sad to see Ben, our intern who spent the last eight months with us, head home. His time with Al Amana Centre was spent preparing for, hosting, and spending time with groups that came to stay at the center.

We are so grateful for Ben and how he used his gifts to make Al Amana a better and more welcoming place for guests!

Photos are from Ben’s farewell dinner with the Al Amana staff (Ben in green)

06/05/2024

Justin’s Finland Travels Pt.3

Justin had the honor of sharing a sermon at the beautiful Lutheran Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland.

He preached about Shalom and Salam and the need to actively work for peace through justice, reparation, and reconciliation.

04/05/2024

Justin’s Finland Travels Pt.2

Justin shared a Yemeni lunch with Finns who originally came from Palestine, Yemen, Somalia, and Egypt.

Stay tuned for photos of the gorgeous Lutheran Cathedral that Justin preached at.

01/05/2024

Justin’s Finland Travels Pt.1

Justin, our Executive Director, is in Helsinki, Finland for meetings with partners and potential partners for Al Amana Centre.

In order to get an idea about the realities in Helsinki, Justin has visited:
1. The chapel at the Deaconess Foundation
2. Synagogue
3. Islamic Center

Many people call Helsinki home, yet there is still much to learn about each other as well. Look out for more posts about Justin’s time in Finland!

28/04/2024

During their visit to Oman, this diverse group of religious leaders, representatives from organizations and educators had the chance to meet with a few religious leaders of the community. These are photos of the group visiting Muscat’s local church compound and the Grand Mosque.

When asked if there was anything that impressed them about Oman, one participant responded, “They strive for peaceful coexistence.”

This is just one example of our larger mission to build bridges and foster peace between faith communities.

26/04/2024

Connection through discussions — this was a common theme that we saw in the reflections of our most recent group.

Stefan Forsén, a participant, reflected, “The discussions with all new friends from mother churches and religions was most impactful to my experience.”

At Al Amana Centre, we strive to facilitate the person-to-person connection that is necessary to building trust and understanding between neighbors, within communities, and across diverse regions of the world.

20/04/2024

Visiting with us from Helsinki, Finland is a group of Bishops and church leaders, organized by the Parish Union in Finland.

They are accompanied by several people including the Imam of Helsinki, the head of the Jewish community in Finland, the Bishop of Peshawar, Pakistan, the Director of the Musalahah organization in Palestine, and the professor of Muslim-Christian relations in Mekane Yesus Seminary in Ethiopia.

So far, they have enjoyed visiting local churches, a Hindu temple, and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. They also had the opportunity to spend a night in the desert and visit a local Omani town and farm.

Throughout their time, they have been engaging in interfaith discussions and learning about the coexistence of people from different backgrounds.

09/04/2024

Celebrate Eid Al Fitr with us, marking the end of Ramadan. Muslims around the world come together to break their fasts and show gratitude for blessings received during the month of fasting. This holiday fosters unity, compassion, and spiritual renewal, reflecting Islam's core values that unite all faiths. 🙏

07/04/2024

More from the four week Trauma Healing course that Melissa (Al Amana’s Program Coordinator) and fellow facilitators led a group of women through:

In one of the trauma awareness activities, a participant would try to hold bottles, which represent pain and emotional baggage, while other participants kept adding more to their arms, making it harder to hold the bottles without dropping them. This activity helps to visualize how important it is to address our sufferings and heal from them. During the healing group sessions, we discussed valuable techniques to acknowledge and reconcile our own trauma, including finding a compassionate support system.

05/04/2024

Over the course of four weeks, Melissa (Al Amana’s Program Coordinator) & fellow facilitators offered lessons on pain, suffering, and finding hope in God. Participants interacted with stories, questions, skits and art exercises. The material used is from the Trauma Healing Institute, which offers trauma and loss resources that integrate biblical and mental health principals.

One participant shared that she gave a "sigh of relief in the healing session,” where participants were learning about the cycle of grief and techniques to be a better listener. She said, "It was the right time to soak it in, this is a safe circle."

31/03/2024

Happy Easter Sunday to our Christian brothers and sisters! ✝️🙏

Christians celebrate the joyous resurrection of Jesus Christ on this special day, representing new life and hope.

The significance of Easter Sunday lies in Jesus’ triumph over death, inspiring believers to rejoice in the promise of redemption and eternal life.

29/03/2024

Good Friday is a solemn day in the Christian calendar, symbolizing the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. ✝️

Christians observe this day to reflect on the sacrifice and atonement made by Jesus, who hung on a cross with a crown of thorns on his head, for humanity's redemption.

28/03/2024

Today is Maundy Thursday, a day that Christians around the world recognize as the beginning of the Easter Triduum, a period of reflection on Jesus' sacrificial love and ultimate resurrection.

On Maundy Thursday, Christians remember the humility exemplified by Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and sharing his final meal with them, emphasizing the values of love, forgiveness, and selflessness in the Easter narrative.

24/03/2024

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday with our Christian brothers and sisters. Palm Sunday is a significant day in the Christian calendar, recognizing Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. 🌿

Today marks the beginning of the Holy Week, a time of reflection, joy, and preparation for Easter. 🙏

23/03/2024

The context of Al Amana Centre combined with the context of Oman offer opportunities that are hard to find anywhere else. And solutions to the problems identified in the November (2023) Newsletter can be found in the location of Oman and in the space and programs of Al Amana Centre.

What we understand we can offer the world is:

🌍 A Global Context

🤝 A Place for Relationship

🙏 A Path from Tolerance toward Salam/Shalom

Read the full newsletter at https://alamanacentre.org/why-al-amana-centre/

20/03/2024

It is easy to describe who we are and what we do. Recently we have been asking ourselves why.

Why Al Amana Centre? Why Oman? Why support Al Amana Centre? Why are we still here and invested?

Here are some of the answers we have discerned over the last months:

The world needs its people of faith to build sustainable Peace/Salam/Shalom that de-escalates violence and promotes mutual understanding and respect.

There are few places in the world with the unique history, context, and geography to create a space for relationship among Muslims, Christians, and other religions in a way that promotes tolerance, mutual understanding and empathy, reconciliation and Shalom/Salam.

Increased religious understanding and literacy is possible through experiential learning and proximity with those with diverse religious experiences.

Read the rest of the newsletter here:
https://alamanacentre.org/why-al-amana-centre/

InterfaithDialogue

15/03/2024

The power of experiential learning continues to show itself in how Hope College (in Holland, Michigan, USA) students' lives were changed.

One student proclaimed at the end of the trip, "For those who have assumptions, questions, and doubts about the work here come see it for yourself! They'll first greet you with Omani dates and coffee!"

Another student told us, "This trip has helped humanize people of different faiths and given me skills to relate to Muslims so that when I go back home I will be able to understand the framework to relate to Muslims better." We trust that these students will go home and work for sustainable peace in their community.

12/03/2024

Ramadan is the most sacred month for Muslim people around the world. It is a month of fasting from dawn to sunset, increased acts of charity and community gatherings with loved ones. Most importantly, this is a time to deepen one’s relationship with God.

Al Amana Centre would like to wish a happy Ramadan to our Muslim friends around the world!

06/03/2024

In May 2023 we welcomed students and faculty from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, USA.

The Hope Students traveled 7340 miles to learn about Oman, global Christianity, and Islam. Many of them came never having a direct conversation about faith with a Muslim or religious other, but they wanted to have these conversations and learn from them. They bravely came and spent two weeks with us on an unforgettable journey.

When they left Oman, they left with Muslim friends. They left with new knowledge and skills. They experienced fellowship with Christians from around the world. They were able to ask questions that they had never dared to ask. They left with a deeper understanding of their own faith, and a deep appreciation and understanding of faith traditions that were not their own.

Read more about their experiences and reflections in our new newsletter:

https://alamanacentre.org/why-al-amana-centre-hope-college-students-talk-about-their-experiences-in-oman/