Purim and Mother's Day - Encounter of The Future Interfaith Encounter Group of Mothers and their Daughters, on 21st March 2008:

On March 21st The Future Interfaith Encounter group, of mothers and their daughters, met in Beit Safafa – at Mariam's home.

In the encounter we talked about the Holiday of Purim, about Mother's Day and Family Day.

We began with a play prepared by the Jewish girls, explaining why do Jews celebrate the Holiday of Purim – in remembrance of the saving of the Jews in the Persian Empire.

The Jewish girls and mothers added that in Purim people wear different costumes, send presents to friends and give money to the poor, pray and drink a lot. They also eat cookies called "Hamman's Ears" that are made in triangular shape and filled with dates, chocolate or poppy seeds.

Then the Muslim girls talked about Mother's Day and said that Muslims did not have that day – they learned it from the Christians. We should appreciate and respect and love our mother every day and not only on this day. The Koran says that one should respect their parents and treat them respectfully – not shout at them, help them when they need, always ask about them and not to neglect them – not now and not when they are old.

The Jewish girls said that they too now do not have Mother's Day but Family Day and that it is not something official and that we should always respect each other.

The Muslim girls concluded that no present is a good enough appreciation for mother.

Reported by Mariam Hussein



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