Memorial Service
for Victims of the Bethlehem Violence

 November 1, 2001

On Thursday, November 1, the Administration of Bethlehem University, along with Faculty, Staff and Students held a Memorial Service for those who were killed in the latest events in Bethlehem.  People came together in order to pray for peace and to offer condolences to the bereaved families.

The Memorial Service took place less than one week after Israeli tanks left the City where Jesus Christ was born.  During the invasion, a tremendous amount of pain and destruction was inflicted.  The events, along with the sound of shelling and bombardment, and the fear, were still vivid in the hearts and minds of the Bethlehem University community.

At 12:00 noon, participants in the Memorial Service gathered in the Auditorium at the Social and Cultural Center.  The Ceremony started with the Palestinian National Anthem and a reading from the Qouran by Mr. Sami Ismail, a Bethlehem University student, that was followed by a reading from the Scripture in Arabic by Mr. Charlie Abu Sa'da, one of the University teachers.  

The President of the Workers' Union, Dr. Adnan Musallam, offered condolences to the bereaved families.  His touching remarks were followed by those of Mr. Rami Salahat, President of the Student Senate.  Final and condolences remarks to the bereaved families were made by Brother Vincent Malham, FSC, President-Vice Chancellor.

Afterwards, participants walked in a solemn procession towards Martyrs Plaza on central campus.  It seemed that survivors were mourning the lost ones, and they were also mourning the lack of peace and justice in the Holy Land.  The procession passed by the New Office and Classroom Building, where the scars from recent shelling are still visible on the building that has not yet been completed.

Once by Martyrs Plaza, members of the Bethlehem University community lit candles and laid a wreath of flowers at the memorial stone.  The families received condolences, and were surrounded with friends and relatives who expressed hope for a better future where such tragedies will not be repeated.

Brother Vincent Malham, President-Vice Chancellor, seated with the bereaved families	Dr. Adnan Musallam, President of the Workers' Union
Moment of Silence
Procession towards Martyrs Plaza	Laying a wreath at the Martyrs Monument