Palestinian author to speak

Intermountain Catholic

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Mazin Qumsiyeh

WEST JORDAN — Palestinian author and professor Mazin Qumsiyeh will speak at Saint Joseph the Worker Parish April 6, about the unrest in the Middle East.

Qumsiyeh teaches at Bethlehem and Birzeit universities in occupied Palestine. He serves as chairman of the board of the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between People and is coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Sahour. He is author of "two books, including his latest, "Popular Resistance in Palestine: A history of Hope and Empowerment."

He is promoting this book throughout the United States and will speak about it at St. Joseph the Worker, said Frances ReMillard.

Qumsiyeh was invited to speak at the parish by ReMillard and Evelyn Richards, members of the non-profit group Utahns for a Just Peace in the Holy Lands. Richards is a member of Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish in Park City.

"There is a lot of resentment toward America and the Israel/Palestine issue sits at the center of this resentment," said ReMillard. "This is an important issue and Qumsiyeh will address it because it is an under-reported issue. We can’t solve this problem if we don’t understand it, and this is the basis of our organization. Americans are good people who want to do the right thing; they have a deep interest in justice and peace, but they need accurate information to work toward that goal."

"The Palestinian people are seriously oppressed and badly treated, and this is an opportunity for us to hear a speaker from the Palestinian side make his case," said Father Patrick Carley, pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish. "Palestinian Christians are also badly treated in many places in Israel, and the whole Christian world should be concerned about that. Our particular concern is Palestinian Christians who are becoming fewer and fewer, and that is where our faith began. We welcome those who wish to hear what Qumsiyeh has to say."

Mazin Qumsiyeh will speak at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 7405 S. Redwood Road, West Jordan. This event is free and open to the public.