The 18th Holiday of Holidays Festival multicultural event marks Hannukah, Eid Al-Adha and Christmas in interfaith harmony.
By Sarah Carnvek
It’s a happening that brings tens of thousands of happy people to the streets of Haifa every December. Now in its 18th year, the Holiday of Holidays Festival is once again filling the Jewish-Arab mixed Wadi Nisnas neighborhood with good cheer, musical concerts, art exhibits, delicious bites and, most importantly, a feeling of togetherness.
Holiday of Holidays Festival in Haifa
It’s actually a combination of holidays of the three main monotheistic religions: Hannukah, Eid Al-Adha and Christmas celebrated in interfaith harmony every Thursday through Saturday in December. “We honor everyone who lives here,” says Asaf Ron, CEO of the Beit Hagefen Arab Jewish Center, which organizes the event. “The festival is very important for dialogue, community activity, neighborliness and tolerance.”
On the bill are an antiques fair, outdoor art exhibits, crafts fair, Christmas tree decorating, Christmas parades, liturgical concerts, neighborhood tours, concerts, street theater and Israeli street food.
Categories: Asia, Israel, Middle East, Religion
Religions differ from each other in their beliefs, customs and holidays. They often ignite wars and create impenetrable boundaries between peoples. Religion becomes the spearhead and driving force for hatred, destruction, and separation from the other.
The inter-religion holiday that is exceptional in the Middle East and in the entire world: called the Holiday of Holidays Festival, it unites the holidays of the three monotheistic religions, Christian Christmas, Jewish Hanukkah and Muslim Ramadan, and its logo is three intertwined hands. It takes place during the months of November and December in a mixed neighborhood in the city of Haifa, Israel.
Haifa is a unique place in Israel being home to many minorities including Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and Baha’is. Most of the Jews here are relatively secular (66.6% compared to a national average of 43.7%). The population of Haifa today is 90% Jewish, 4% Muslims and 6 % Christian Arabs. The Muslim population is steadily rising.
Israel is the only home Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has in Middle East. Ahmadies are allowed to call prayers five time a day and enjoy all the benefits of a citizen.
Just to add to what sister Amtul Farhat says about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Israel. At the time of the creation of the state of Israel the Mufti in Jerusalem advised Arabs to leave while the Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat told its members to remain where they are. If at that time the Palestinians would have followed the advice of the Ahmadiyya Khalifa instead of the advise of the Mufti of Jerusalem there would be hardly any ‘Palestinian’ problem today…
What a contrast.Relegious persecution by the followers of Muhammad, mercy for worlds (SAW) & relegious freedom in the land of Moses (AS).
It is unique in the world. It is the ultimate proof of tolerance. If we want, we can understand each other !