BT93.8.R333

- Includes bibliographical references - Proceedings of the 4th International Conference, organized by the International Center of Bethlehem, 26. Aug - 1. Sept 2007; God's Reign and People's Rule: Religious Communities, Politcal Entities and Civil Societies in Palestine

Editorial Remarks By Till M. Steiner, Leopoldshöhe An Introduction By Mitri Raheb, Bethlehem I. Constitution, State, Religion The Global Context: The Debate on the Role of Religion in the European Constitution By Ottmar Fuchs, Tübingen The Constitutional System of the Palestinian National Authority By Ferras Milhelm, Bir Zeit Palestinian Constitution (Chapter 1 & 2) The Battle over Islam By Ibrahim M. Abu-Rabi’, Hartford Earthly and Heavenly Kingdom: An Eastern Christian Perspective By Rafiq Khoury, Jerusalem II. Identity, Gender Fragmentation of the Palestinian Identity By Omar Massalha, Paris Shifting boundaries of the self Reflections from the perspective of the Diaspora By Viola Raheb, Vienna New Identities and Old Gender Arrangements: Arab Christian women as religious agents By Heidemarie Winkel, Erfurt The Daughters of Zelophehad By Ulrike Bechmann, Graz III. Conference Reflections The “Unholy” Land: Observations and Reflection of a Conference Participant By Leonardo Johnsson, Växjö Religion and Development Cooperation By Jürgen Wilhelm, Bonn Postlude By Mitri Raheb, Bethlehem Stone Meditation A prayer from the Closing Service of the Conference By Uwe Gräbe and Rainer Zimmer-Winkel Appendix Reading the Torah Out Loud… By Marc Ellis, Waco Biographical notes

This book shows a glimpse into the dialogue in and with Palestine, the place where the relation of state and religion, and specially the question of identity of the people is fundamental. The book developed out of the 4th Intercultural Conference of the International Center of Bethlehem that was held from Aug 26th until Sept 1st, 2007 under the title “God’s Reign and People’s Rule: Religious Communities, Political Entities and Civil Societies in Palestine”. The conference covered a wide thematic range and is part of an ongoing process. The present book focuses on the two main fields that were discussed at the conference and tries to assemble the variety of contributions to these fields. The Palestinians are on a long way to an own state. Every mark on this way seems in the same time the nearest and far-off to an establishment of a state. - cover