Bible Lands Winter 2019 Magazine of the Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association
www.jmeca.org.uk
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St. George’s College, Jerusalem...... p.4 Bishop Mouneer on ‘cultural pride’...... p.9 The Church in Bahrain...... p.10 Obituaries...... p.16 Book Reviews...... p.18 THE JERUSALEM AND Bible Lands Editor Letters, articles, comments are welcomed by the Editor: THE MIDDLE EAST CHURCH The Reverend Dr. Stephen W. Need ASSOCIATION Email: [email protected] The next issue will be published in May for (JMECA) Summer 2020. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily Founded in 1887 those of the Association; therefore only signed articles ‘To encourage support in prayer, money and will be published. personal service for the religious and other Front cover photo: Bethlehem. Birthplace of Jesus. charitable work of the Episcopal church in Jerusalem and the Middle East’. JMECA Website www.jmeca.org.uk The site has information for each of the four Dioceses Reg. Charity no. 1158476 www.jmeca.org.uk with links to the websites of each one and regular updates of Middle East news. Patron The Most Reverend and Right Honourable The Archbishop of Canterbury THE CENTRAL SYNOD OF THE PROVINCE Chairman President The Reverend Canon Anthony Ball The Most Revd Suheil Dawani Administrator Secretary Mrs Georgia Katsantonis Mrs. Shirley Eason [email protected] Assistant: Mrs. Shirley Atkins 1 Hart House, The Hart Treasurer The Ven Canon William Schwartz Farnham GU9 7HJ, Surrey. [email protected] Jerusalem Office days: Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 2.00pm. The Most Revd Suheil Dawani Tel/Fax 01252 726994 The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, P.O. Box 19122, The Council of JMECA delegates the administration 65, Nablus Road, Jerusalem 91191 of its assets to a Standing Committee which is Tel: +972 2 6272932 [email protected] THE JERUSALEM AND THE EAST MISSION TRUST website: www.j-diocese.org LIMITED (JEMT) Administrator as above Iran Vicar General Directors The Revd Dr Albert Walters Mr. John Clark (Chairman) Egypt Dr. Clare Amos The Rt Revd Mouneer Anis Mr. Andrew Hill All Saints Cathedral, PO Box 87, Distribution Zamalek, Mr. John G Pringle (Hon Treasurer) Cairo, Egypt Tel: +20 2 2738 0821 The Reverend Dr. William Taylor [email protected] Mr. David Wright OBE website: www.dioceseofegypt.org The Reverend Canon Hugh Wybrew The Reverend Canon Dr Matthew Rhodes Cyprus and the Gulf The Rt Revd Michael Lewis Consultants Diocesean Office, PO Box 22075, 1517 Nicosia Tel: +357 22671220 The Reverend Dr. Stephen W. Need The Bishop’s PA Mr. Richard Owens OBE Mrs Georgia Katsantonis Sir Harold Walker KCMG [email protected] website: www.cypgulf.org
2 Mr John Clark, chair of the JMECA standing committee, writes:
Looking back at past There have been a number of new appointments in editorials, most seem the region. The Ven Christopher Futcher from Exeter to begin with some Diocese, has succeeded John Holdsworth as Archdeacon comment on the areas of Cyprus while his wife Anne, takes on the role of social of tension and suffering in different parts of the region. As concern officer. There are a number of new canons as well. I write in early October the situation is little different. Turkish Jean Waddell, Secretary to the last two English Archbishops troops are poised to enter the Kurdish area of northern in Jerusalem and Secretary to Bishop Dehqani-Tafti, the first Syria; international sanctions are causing severe suffering President-Bishop, is remembered in an obituary. She came to the people of Iran; riots in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq to public prominence following the attack on her life and against corruption are threatening the current government; her imprisonment in Iran in 1980. Saudi Arabia is recovering from the rocket attack on the Abqaiq Aramco oil plant; and the terrible civil war in Yemen Changes to the Province. In our last issue we reported has started up again with Aden coming under threat. in the editorial that an exploration committee was being set up to look into two requests received by the Anglican A Church leader once suggested that press headlines Consultative Council (ACC) from the Province that the can be compared to the crests of waves, but what was Diocese of Egypt, North Africa and the Horn of Africa should important was to look at the deeper currents in the region become a separate, independent province; and that the that lie below the waves. One of those deeper currents is Diocese of Jerusalem should be recognised as having the continued faithful presence of Christian communities special status because of ‘its historical position as Mother carrying out the tasks of daily life, worship and witness as Church of our Christian Faith’. part of the tapestry of different communities in the region. The Committee, led by Mrs Maggie Swinson, Vice-Chair Bible Lands focuses particularly on the Anglican/Episcopal of the ACC includes Archbishop Justin Badi, Primate of Church as a small but integral part of the Christian Churches South Sudan, Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo, Primate of Sudan, of the Middle East and North Africa. In this issue the Editor Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani of Loughborough representing opens with news from St George’s College Jerusalem, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Secretary-General under its new Dean, Canon Richard Sewell. Providing a and Chief Operating Officer of the Anglican Communion centre for theological education was a priority for JMECA’s Office. Visits to Ethiopia, particularly the Gambella region founder, Bishop Blyth, and St George’s was one of his bordering Sudan, then to Cairo and Alexandria precede a first initiatives at the end of the nineteenth century. John gathering in Amman, Jordan with representatives of the and Norma Emerton, whose obituaries are included, four dioceses on October 18th to consider the requests. were great supporters of the College – and indeed left a The recommendations from the Committee will go to the substantial legacy for JMECA to use in its ministry. Standing Committee of the ACC. The theological education theme continues with a report One concern to which the Exploration Committee will have on the work of the St. Frumentius’ School of Theology in to attend is the future structure of the three dioceses that research and graduations, forming a new generation of will not be part of an Egyptian province. These changes in leadership for the Diocese of Egypt. Bishop Mouneer the shape of the Anglican presence in the Middle East and offers a reflection on ‘cultural pride’. North Africa will have implications for JMECA which was Archdeacon Bill Schwartz, with decades of experience in developed from The Jerusalem and the East Mission to Cyprus and the Gulf, has moved from Dubai to take on the cover the whole of the province formed in 1976, and which role of Dean of St Christopher’s Cathedral in Bahrain is now undergoing change. At its last Annual Meeting a in addition to his archdeaconry work. JMECA has made sub-group was established, under the JMECA Chairman, a grant towards the new Church building development Canon Anthony Ball, to consider options once the future beside the Cathedral, so it is good to get his impressions shape is known. Developments will be reported in future of his new role. issues of Bible Lands. William Taylor, one of JMECA’s Trustees, with long Do use this issue for your interest and your prayers – and experience of the Churches of Northern Iraq, writes do visit the new JMECA website www.jmeca.org.uk. about the recent placement of an Iraqi deacon (from the John Clark Chaldean Catholic Church) at St. John’s Notting Hill. Chairman JMECA Standing Committee 3 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem
The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, a diocese of the worldwide Anglican Communion, extends over five countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Israel, within the Province of Jerusalem and the
Archbishop Suheil Dawani Middle East. There are 27 parishes that minister to the needs of their communities, centered on the Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr, Syria Lebanon in Jerusalem. The diocese supports 35 institutions, which include hospitals, clinics, kindergartens and schools,
vocational training programmes, as Palestine well as institutions for the deaf, the & Israel disabled and the elderly, reaching out to Jordan interfaith neighbours in mutual respect and cooperation.
St George’s College, Jerusalem www.saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com tend to come for Reflections from the dean shorter, intense As I write this article, stints, filling the I note that it is exactly teaching and one year since I arrived leading roles. It at St George’s College is my privilege to to take up my role as lead this talented dean. It has been an and dedicated incredible year of trying group of staff. to get to grips with 2019 has been running an institution a good year for in a complex city in a divided and conflicted land. It the College. We sounds like this might be an overwhelming challenge are anticipating but in reality I have enjoyed every moment. record numbers You cannot join a place like St George’s without being of pilgrims aware of its history and heritage. As it happens, 2020 which is the fruit of the power of word of mouth is the centenary of the College’s original foundation commendations and a more attractive website which so I have been even more conscious of the role the advertises the College and our courses. College has played in the Diocese of Jerusalem, Recent comments on our feedback forms have put serving the wider Anglican Communion. flesh on the generally positive impressions: Down through the decades of the past century we Maribeth from Tennessee, USA said: have met and overcome many challenges to ensure the success of the College and now it falls to me to I will forever treasure this pilgrimage as one of the enable the College to continue to thrive. I have found most precious gifts God has bestowed on me. It was here a deeply committed staff: local Palestinian staff filled with learning and healing, with love freely given can mostly count their service in decades and only a and received. few of them in several years only. They are the bedrock Ian from Sydney, Australia said: for the success of the College and the foreign staff
4 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem
I will never read scripture in the same way again –when I read it now, I feel like I am actually following in the footsteps of Jesus. It is so vivid, real and meaningful.
Archbishop Suheil Dawani These comments, and many more, fill all the staff of the College with a deep sense of satisfaction.
wettest winters on record led to snow the day one course went to Bethlehem Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is enjoying boom times, and to verdant 2018 showed 15% increase on the previous year deserts full of nationally. It means that groups and individuals are flowers and fat coming from all over the world in ever larger numbers sheep until early to encounter the unique attraction of the holy sites of summer. Intense heat in July and September didn’t the three Abrahamic faiths. stop hardy pilgrims from making their way up and At the College we are clear about precisely what it is down the country, enjoying air-conditioned coach that we offer. I think one of the distinct things for us is travel (and not a little walking!) from the foot of Mount that we are rooted in the local Anglican Community: Hermon in the northeast to Masada southward. we are located in the Cathedral Close right next to Each season brings its own joys and challenges, but the Diocesan Offices. St George’s College pilgrims the holy places of antiquity and today call to those are not simply rushing about the Holy Land staying who want to renew their faith by encountering the ‘fifth in hotels (‘running in the footsteps of Jesus’ as I gospel’ – the land – and by hearing the holy scriptures recently heard it described), they are living amongst in their contexts. These elements are part of every St. Palestinian people and the clergy and staff of the George’s College study pilgrimage. Anglican Church. The College and Close is a beautiful and peaceful environment in which to be based. While many pilgrims come to the Holy Land as tourists, St. George’s continues to offer in-depth pilgrimages Our Course Director, Canon Mary June Nestler, that focus on learning, worship and community describes in detail in the following article the character building. Weaving together history, archaeology, of our study pilgrimages and it is the context too which theology, scriptural study, modern politics and other makes our courses such inspiring experiences. disciplines creates a rich tapestry of learning at sites As the College prepares to celebrate a landmark year, I in the field and in the classroom. hope that more people will come to see for themselves Pilgrimages entitled ‘The Footsteps of Jesus’ and the (or return for a further experience) the way in which we ‘Palestine of Jesus,’ have long been the backbone of encounter the living Christ in the people and places of the College’s schedule. In addition, in March, 2019 this extraordinary land. Troubled it may be, but there is we undertook a very different offering with ‘Sharing every reason to join a study pilgrimage at St George’s Perspectives’, devoted to the study of the three to invigorate faith and understanding that will have a Abraham faiths with Muslims, Jews and Christians lasting effect on all those who come. primarily from Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. The Very Revd Canon Richard Sewell, Dean The College is welcoming more groups from theological colleges as well. The usual contingent of students The Course Director writes… from Virginia Theological Seminary in the U.S. and Pilgrims coming from across the world to St. George’s students from the theological college of the University College in 2019 have experienced the Holy Land of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, U.S. enriched our in ways they might not have expected. One of the pilgrimages with the depths of the ongoing studies and 5 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem
fresh perspectives. three different sets of pilgrims from Fiji, our first-ever In 2018 a group group from Nepal, and Maoris from New Zealand. of more than What an amazing experience it is to gather for thirty ordinands eucharist in a 12th-century Crusader church and to Archbishop Suheil Dawani from theological hear the magnificent harmonies of the South Sea colleges and Islanders and the gospel proclaimed by a priest from training schemes in the Dominican Republic. We are one in Christ. the U.K. braved the It’s an exciting time at St. George’s College. Welcome! heat of July, and clergy from the Diocese of Southwark joined their bishops on a special course in early The Rev. Canon Mary June Nestler, Course Director 2019. All of these students have no doubt relished the chance to see their professors and ecclesiastical leaders atop a camel! The majority of our pilgrims are laypersons from across the Anglican communion and from other denominations. Some want to strengthen their lay ministries, while others seek to develop a deeper relationship with Christ in his homeland or to fulfil a lifelong dream to come to the holy places. The staff feel extraordinarily privileged literally to be on these spiritual journeys with them.
Our pilgrims are often the source of ideas for new Photos: St George’s College offerings in our College schedule. In 2020 we have planned several new pilgrimages, including ‘Level 2’ opportunities for pilgrims who have visited the Holy 2020 Schedule (Centenary Year) Land before or who have taken one of the College’s St. George’s College Jerusalem basic courses in years past. On these itineraries www.saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com we will look more intensively at familiar places, but Jerusalem Ministry Formation Program also visit newly-excavated sites. For example, the Monday January 8 – Monday January 22 first-century synagogue at Magdala and the recent St George’s College Centenary Celebrations excavations at the city of David. Saturday January 25 – Sunday January 26 Another new offering will give pilgrims a chance to Footsteps of Jesus (Level 2) explore the land on foot. Called ‘Walking the Jesus Monday January 27 – Thursday February 6 Trail’, the itinerary will begin and end in Jerusalem, Sharing Perspectives (Inter Faith) but will include a five-day, 65-kilometer hike from Monday February 17 – Tuesday February 25 Sepphoris to Capernaum in Galilee. Hikers will stay in Introducation to the Bible Lands guesthouses along the way. Sections of the hike are Sunday March 8 – Monday March 16 rated ‘easy to moderate’, and the college will welcome Palestine of Jesus: A Lenten Journey teenagers from age 14 with a parent. Friday March 20 – Friday April 3 Easters in Jerusalem: East & West* Expanding the variety of courses offered by St. Friday April 10 – Monday April 20 George’s College is one of our goals in the coming Jordan Study Tour years, along with welcoming English-speaking Tuesday April 21 – Saturday April 25 people from more countries. To this end we have Footsteps of Jesus begun to change Monday April 27 – Thursday May 7 some of the ways Palestine of Jesus our pilgrimages Monday May 11 – Monday May 25 provide better Women in the Bible time for Wednesday June 3 – Thursday June 11 intercultural Footsteps of Jesus learning. We were Monday June 15 – Thursday June 25 thrilled this past Footsteps of Jesus year to include Monday June 29 – Thursday July 9
6 ( The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa www.dioceseofegypt.org Africa Egypt & North
Since its beginning in 1839, the Diocese has been committed to serve others as Jesus did. We are committed to serving all people holistically, regardless of their religion or social status. Numerically we are small, but in this strategic part of the world, we have a great opportunity and responsibility to be ambassadors of our Lord Jesus, demonstrating in ‘Word and Deed’ what our faith means to us. The Diocese supports over 30 institutions which include hospitals, clinics, nurseries, schools, a theological seminary, micro-enterprise ventures, vocational Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis training programs, as well as institutions for the deaf Tunisia and the disabled. The five goals of the Diocese are: to reach the unreached with the Gospel of Christ; to grow Christ’s church by making disciples and Algeria Libya Egypt equipping leaders; to serve our neighbours; to work for unity among all Christians; to Eritrea dialogue with other faith communities.
Support from The Jerusalem and Middle Djibouti
East Church Association (JMECA) to the Ethiopia Diocese in recent years has been directed to helping with mission work, ordination training for Egyptian candidates and medical outreach. Somalia
Research and graduation
in Egypt… interested in modern Egyptian history, society and culture. There will be regular events, workshops and Research seminars - and accommodation for visiting scholars archive and guests is available. opened in Cairo News from St Frumentius’ Theological College On 9 May, 2019, the Diocese of Egypt reopened its renovated archive and in the same ceremony We give thanks to celebrated the grand opening of the Cairo Research God for continuing to Centre in a new location. Since 2015, the Diocese has bless us with love and been digitizing all the documents and manuscripts, unity. Although ethnic under the supervision of the archivist. The University tensions are always of Leicester has provided support. high in Gambella, St Frumentius’ continues The Archive contains records of the Episcopal/ to be a place where every day you can clearly see a Anglican Church and the British community in Egypt loving friendship between Anuak, Nuer, Dinka, Maban dating back to the early nineteenth century. Contents and JumJum brothers in Christ. As well as giving include registers of baptisms, marriages and deaths, thanks for this, we’d like to celebrate many other things minute books, correspondence, orders of service, that the Lord has done in the college over the last year. maps, plans, newsletters and printed pamphlets. Attached to the archive is a library of academic books In June 2019, we celebrated the college’s second relating to the history, topography and architecture of graduation. This year’s graduation address was given Egypt and the Middle East. by Bishop Kuan Kim Seng, who spoke from John 13. As well as giving the students a demonstration of The Centre will be a meeting place for anyone what it means to wash feet, he challenged us to go 7 The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa www.dioceseofegypt.org Africa Egypt & North
out and love and serve as Jesus did. Four students will include the Po and other minority ethnic groups, successfully graduated from the college, three of more female students, as well as church leaders from whom will be serving the episcopal area full-time other denominations. Second, the college has been next year. understaffed for more than two years now. Please pray that God will supply new lecturers who can build and Throughout the year, the Lord has provided us develop the college. Finally, please pray for peace with teachers from outside who have come in and and stability in Gambella town, so that our programs addressed some very important issues. In June, Rev. can continue without disruption, and so that we can Dr. Brett Cane came to teach. In September, Solomon continue to raise up leaders for our Nuer and Anuak
Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis Worku and our Rev. Wondimeyu came and delivered churches who have spent years together, learning to some fantastic teaching on HIV/AIDs. As a result of this love one another. course, many of our students and our priests got out and started teaching about this issue for the first time. In January, we welcomed Dr Johann Vanderbijl Graduation at the nursing back to the college. He ran an excellent course on school in Menouf Discipleship. As part of this course, our students On Saturday 29 designed discipleship courses for their own churches. June 2019, we By the end of the semester, the students had were proud to produced Discipleship Courses in Nuer, Anuak, Dinka, celebrate the Maban and JumJum. As far as we know, these are the graduation of first discipleship courses to exist in several of these ten new nurses languages. At the end of February, the students left from our Nursing Gambella to run these courses in different churches School in Menouf. This is the first class to graduate throughout the region. from the Harpur Memorial Nursing School. We are When our students heard lots of encouraging feedback so proud of the hard work these nurses have put in they returned from their Field Education placements in over the last two years, and it was a joy to celebrate Feb – March. Many students reported hugely positive them. All ten nurses will now begin working full time in feedback, people really appreciating teaching which Harpur Hospital, Menouf. And because of their hard is more interactive and conversational than they are work, they now have a stable job and a bright future. used to. Jacob, a particularly quiet student who is a The beautiful graduation ceremony honoured our refugee from South Sudan, told us about how he had graduates, but most importantly gave honour and met two individuals from a particular country which is thanks to God for His provision and support of our renowned for being hostile to Christians and where students and staff. We heard a reading from Matthew Christianity is practically non-existent. These two 25.35-40, and were blessed with a few speeches people have since joined his church and came to which focussed on servant leadership and glorifying faith in Christ. God through our service and vocations. The graduates We also want to note the tragic loss of our brother, each received a Harpur Memorial Nursing School Pin, Ojulu Omot. Ojulu was a third-year student at the a tradition in nursing schools throughout the world, to college. He was a kind and gentle man who was loved signify their achievement which they will wear proudly by all. His death was a great shock and has been as graduates and ambassadors of the programme. difficult to process. It is incredibly disappointing that We are very proud of our class valedictorian, Heba a young leader who had solid faith and a real heart for Mouneer, and our student-elected speaker, Martha ethnic reconciliation should die three months before Adel. But we are proud of all ten of our graduates, and graduating. One of the small positives to come out of we know God will use them to bless many people in this tragedy is that Ojulu had given a video interview the years to come. to the college a few months before he died. In this Photos: Diocese of Egypt interview, he speaks of the beautiful transformation that had taken place in his life and he calls the church to work for peace and reconciliation across Congratulations to the Right Gambella’s dividing lines. Reverend Rajan Vincent Jacob, Please join us in praying that, over the next year, we the newly consecrated Area will see three things happen at the college. First, we Bishop for Gambella, Ethiopia hope that our new intake this coming August will enable us to train more people. We hope that this May God bless him in his new ministry. 8 The Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa www.dioceseofegypt.org Africa Egypt & North From Bishop Mouneer problematic and sometimes destructive to ministries and to relationships. Thoughts on One time, I was planning to appoint a highly-qualified, bilingual, Egyptian priest to be the Priest-in-Charge ‘cultural pride’ of a church which had a tiny English-speaking There is nothing wrong with congregation and a thriving Arabic-speaking one. The being proud of our own culture outgoing (expatriate) priest resisted this appointment and country. However, if this pride and persuaded the very few English-speaking
Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis grows to the degree that we look down members to resist as well. They did not want to on others, it becomes harmful and hinders a sound accept an Egyptian to lead ‘their’ church. However, relationship between people. It is especially harmful the Egyptian priest was appointed and proved to be when it occurs in the context of Christian ministry. a very caring shepherd of both congregations! A great thing about the Church of Christ is that it On the other hand, I appreciated what my colleague doesn’t have boundaries. It spreads all over the world Bishop Bill Musk did when he became the Bishop and is made up of believers from different cultures, of North Africa. He changed the constitution of the races, sexes, colours, languages, etc. It is always church in order to emphasize that the ultimate goal exciting to meet and to work with believers from of the church is to see the congregation of the local different cultures and countries. people growing and leading in the future. He and his While we are still here on earth, we need each other’s wife truly loved the local people and invested in them. gifts in order to accomplish Christ’s mission until he The local people loved them. comes again. St. Paul said God has given us a variety One time when I was in Addis Ababa, I met a faithful of gifts in order to build up the Church (Ephesians servant of the Lord, Mrs. Hazel Mansel, who served 4). However, it is often challenging to work with the Ethiopians for over thirty years. I observed how she believers from different cultures, because there are was keen to always be in the background. She and many barriers that can hinder such ‘togetherness’ in her late husband worked hard to empower the local fulfilling God’s mission. Ethiopians. They both wanted to live in the shadows, One of those barriers is found in the development but they had a desire to see the church in Ethiopia of ‘cultural pride’. We are all at risk of developing grow. I asked Hazel, ‘how did you develop this spirit?’ such pride. In my experience, I have seen many She answered, ‘I look at myself as scaffolding that was Christian workers who initially get so excited about put in place for the purpose of constructing a building. working overseas or working in a different culture. After the building is completed, there is no need for the However, this excitement (which some people call scaffolding. In fact, if it continued around the beautiful ‘The Honeymoon Period’) fades away after some time. building, it would block its beauty’. They then start to see the negatives, weaknesses and It may be easy to say all this, but it can be difficult to differences in the host culture. apply. We may experience a lot of disappointments Brothers and sisters coming from the West are when we work with local people. With a gracious often well-educated, and used to a more ordered or and generous spirit, we can continue building up our systematic way of life. They respect time and are more brothers and sisters in Christ. task-oriented and responsible. Western educational I would also like to mention that local people are well- systems teach people to develop critical thinking. aware when cultural pride has developed in someone. We in the East definitely need to learn much from our They can pick up on this from negative speech and Western brothers and sisters. On the other hand, I expressions of distrust, which immediately create also believe that our Western friends, if they are open, barriers between people. On the other hand, they will find many things to learn from us as well. In other can feel when someone has a gracious, generous words, we need each other. It is important to be and loving attitude. aware that local people, while they may not have the In conclusion, we need to be aware that we are all at same standard of education, do possess the wisdom risk of developing cultural pride and a colonial attitude. that is relevant to the culture in which they live. If we grow more aware, we are less likely to become There is always the risk of cultural pride creeping culturally proud. It would be wonderful to develop an in to our mindset and attitude when we serve in a attitude of servant leadership, following the example different culture. I have encountered this cultural pride of our Lord Jesus. and colonial attitude during my years of service. It is + Mouneer Egypt 9
Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus
Bishop Michael Lewis explains that the Diocese of Cyprus & the Gulf covers Oman, the Yemen, the seven United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and the whole of Cyprus. “In every part of the diocese, except in Cyprus and Iraq, the congregations are largely expatriate, made up of Christians from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and the African continent. Many do not come from an Anglican background but find a welcome church
Bishop Michael Lewis home in our Anglican congregations. Through some intricate and special relationships, the Diocese is often responsible for churches and congregations which are not Anglican, Iraq some of which are still working out their Cyprus Bahrain
relationships to the Bishop and Synod. Qatar Worship is largely in English but in some Kuwait locations we have liturgy in Arabic, Syriac- Aramaic, Tamil and Urdu. The leadership United in Iran has a particular ministry to the Arab Emirates Urdu-speaking congregations within our Oman diocese.” Yemen
News from Bahrain…
worship at the cathedral and Awali church, including children and young adults; Julia Lewis, with Carol Nicholson visiting from Doha; clergy from other churches in Bahrain; guests from Bahrain’s diplomatic corps and local charities; and priests from four other parishes in the diocese who were able to travel to Bahrain for the occasion. Bill continues in his role of Archdeacon in the Gulf and New dean installed in Bahrain will carry on being known widely as Archdeacon Bill as well as Dean of Bahrain. He and his wife Edie were In the early evening of Saturday 1 June another joyful officially welcomed at the following dinner reception milestone was celebrated in the diocese when the in the Alun Morris Hall on the cathedral compound, Very Reverend and Venerable Dr William Edward during which they cut a celebratory cake. Schwartz OBE was instituted by Bishop Michael Lewis as Anglican Chaplain and Parish Priest of Bahrain, and installed by the Reverend Canon Stephen Thanapaul Dean Bill writes from Bahrain… as Dean of St Christopher’s Cathedral. Anglican worship began in The service was attended by more than 120 people: Bahrain in the 1930s and members of all five Anglican congregations who residents appreciated visits from a chaplain based in Basra and visits by the Bishop in Jerusalem from those beginning days. St Christopher’s is one of the oldest churches in Bahrain, built on land given by the Emir in 1948. It is important to note that the property is owned by JEMT. Because the Diocese of Cyprus 10
Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus
and the Gulf covers such a huge area (almost fifteen for committees, storage space for the needs of the times the geographical area of the UK), there are two many congregations, and more. (For those who may cathedrals, one in Nicosia and one in Bahrain. The feel moved to help, it is good to say we have raised bishop has a residence on site which he uses when he about 75% of the construction cost locally, with some is here and visiting other Gulf parishes from Bahrain. help from the JEMT trustees….) We are excited about the way this increased space will allow us to enhance The Anglican community enjoys warm relations with the spiritual life of many congregations. the government and people of Bahrain. As we are in the centre of Manama the cathedral is a place where The Revd Chris Butt retired recently, after many years Bishop Michael Lewis people of all nationalities passing by at different of service to the cathedral and the diocese. He worked times during the day stop and say a prayer, including very hard to ensure a smooth transition and hand-over Bahrainis who often use our parking lot to visit the to his successor. For various reasons, Bishop Michael government offices located across the street. Our suggested that re-locating the Revd Bill Schwartz to congregation membership reflects the incredibly Bahrain, sharing the role of Dean and Archdeacon diverse demography that makes up the population of in the Gulf, would be strategic for the diocese. The Bahrain, including some Bahraini Anglicans among us. transition has been smooth indeed, strengthening the ministry of the cathedral congregation in cooperation St Christopher’s has had a long and admirable with the vision and ministry of the Diocese. partnership with the Bahrain International Seafarers Society, including a half-time Missions to Seafarers Upon arrival, the new dean was immediately integrated chaplain who also serves the cathedral congregation. into the interfaith network under the auspices of The Fr Stephen Thanapaul has faithfully ministered King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, to seafarers in the ports of Bahrain for more than following on from the active participation of Chris ten years and is a strong participant in all things Butt in previous years. The interfaith community in ecumenical in Bahrain. BISS is supported by the Bahrain represents a very broad spectrum of religious Christian community as well as commercial entities traditions, including LOCAL Jewish, Buddhist and involved in shipping. Most importantly, the spiritual Hindu communities. Bahrain has the oldest Hindu needs and advocacy on behalf of needy seafarers temple in the region. The Bahraini Jewish community is quietly, sensitively and successfully managed on is small, but historically indigenous. All of this makes a daily basis. for interfaith activities vested in the local population – very different from interfaith imported from outside Of course, we who are migrant workers know we the country for conferences and events like many in are guests in Bahrain. At the same time, we extend other places. hospitality to Christians of other traditions who don’t have formal recognition from the government. At Christians in Bahrain consistently express great present there are forty-two other congregations confidence and comfort in exercising their faith worshiping in our church and other worship spaces practise in Bahrain. We all treasure the freedom we on the St Christopher’s compound. The Ethiopian have for worship and nurture, and we very much feel Orthodox congregation worships with us many days of that we are part of the social identity of the country. the week, starting at 6am!! Other congregations with At St Christopher’s Cathedral, we look forward to traditions from the subcontinent and Africa make the building on strong foundations of our heritage here place very busy indeed. Parking is always a challenge. and strengthening our presence in the years to come. Scheduling any extraordinary events is a juggling act The Very Rev’d Bill Schwartz for our administrative team. Nevertheless, both the St Christopher’s congregation and those who make up the St Christopher’s community all know that working Two new priests together in harmony is part of our calling to find and The Epiphany Qatar: Canon Paul-Gordon Chandler bear witness to unity in our diverse backgrounds, will be the new senior priest. Fr Paul-Gordon is traditions and worship needs. currently an Appointed Mission Partner of the US All of this is possible because over the years Episcopal Church with a focus on the Middle East and additional buildings and facilities have been added North Africa. He is also President and CEO of Caravan. to the compound. The various worship rooms of Christ Church Jebel Ali: Reverend James Young will different sizes facilitate worship in many languages. be the new parish priest. Fr Jim currently serves at St We have very recently achieved planning permission Thomas Chesapeake in the Diocese of Southwestern to dismantle a long-standing temporary portacabin Virginia. and build a two-storey addition behind the cathedral sanctuary. It will provide more worship space, a room Please pray for them and their families as they begin for children’s education and activity, a meeting room their new ministries. 11 Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus More news from Cyprus showed wider society in the Kingdom of Bahrain the openness and welcome that must characterise and the Gulf… Anglicanism. Chris brought to Bahrain the fruits of earlier discipleship and ministry in Kenya and Hong 4 new canons Kong as well as England. Canon Jerjes and Canon Holdsworth will be installed in Nicosia on Sunday 3 November. Canon Chinnakumar and Canon Butt will be installed in Bahrain on Friday Bishop Michael Lewis 25 October.
Deacons Justin Arnott Fr Faiz Jerjes has over the course of the years been layman, Reader, deacon, and priest at St and Peter Day ordained George’s Baghdad. As well as overseeing the worship Deacons Justin Arnott and Peter Day were ordained to and pastoral care of the church and the smooth the priesthood on the Feast of St Matthew, Saturday functioning of the clinic he has masterminded the 21 September 2019, at St Paul’s Cathedral, Nicosia. establishment of a large kindergarten and recently Fr Justin serves at the cathedral while Fr Peter has the building of the Al Fadi Anglican primary school. recently taken on particular responsibility for St Mark Faiz has been honoured in Iraq for his imaginative Famagusta in the wider parish of Ammochostos. initiatives in promoting peace and human flourishing across religions. The Revd Dr John Holdsworth is a much-published scholar whose substantial service as territorial archdeacon in Cyprus and executive archdeacon for the whole diocese as well as parish priest of St Helena Larnaca and Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Ministry culminated last summer. He now serves for two transitional years as Honorary Director of Ministry with a brief to ensure, with others, the continuity of the vocation, discernment, and ministry project that he has done so much to foster. John previously served New history of the diocese… with distinction in the Church in Wales including a period as Principal of its theological college. He will coming in January 2020! be known as Canon Theologian. This impressive volume by The Revd Harrison Chinnakumar currently Angela Murray – over 450 pages ministers as parish priest of Holy Trinity Dubai, with illustrations throughout tirelessly pastoring a large multi-ethnic congregation – charts the evolution of the and watching over one of the busiest compounds Anglican Diocese of Cyprus in the diocese, hosting huge numbers of guest and Gulf since its institution on churches and fellowships. He came to the Gulf from 5th January 1976. Meticulously the Church of South India. Before taking on Dubai he researched and beautifully was incumbent of the parish of St Paul Kuwait, where presented, this is essential Anglican worship is offered in Mandarin and Urdu as reading not only for those with an interest in the history well as English and support is often given to Tamil of the Anglican Church but also for anyone following congregations of our sister-Church the CSI. faith and society across the Middle East region. The Revd Chris Butt was until his recent retirement the highly appreciated Dean of St Christopher’s ADVANCE NOTICE: Cathedral in Bahrain, another place with worshippers The book launch for this wonderful new history from many ethnic and national backgrounds. Under of the diocese will be on Friday, 14 February 2020, Chris’s imaginative leadership, frequent Living Room at All Hallows by the Tower in London. Please see Dialogues brought to the deanery a fascinating range the Cyprus and the Gulf web page for more details of distinguished and thought-provoking speakers as they become available. from all walks of life, by no means all Christians, and 12 Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus New arrivals in Cyprus St Helena’s is now the most well-resourced parish on the island for ordained staff, with 3 priests. So The new Archdeacon and his wife very often one or other of us is helping out in another parish. We have experienced a huge welcome into Anne reflect on the first few weeks the midst of church and diocesan life here. It’s been We arrived wonderful too, starting to find our way around the on Cyprus in island, beginning to visit the churches and meet their early August, clergy, churchwardens and congregations.
Bishop Michael Lewis just 7 weeks Anne’s ministry is taking off with finding out about ago and we some of the projects in social care and outreach still have to that already exist in the parishes and the very current remind ourselves that this is home. It was rather a hot issue of ensuring there is support for the most and humid start. Our belongings arrived as planned on vulnerable UK citizens living in Cyprus to establish 13 August and we moved into our church house, our their right to remain and access healthcare in light 8th clergy house, in temperatures over 38C. Moving of the uncertainties around Brexit. The government from Devon was in two stages for us – the shipping of Cyprus, the British High Commission and other went first, then we moved to our house in Somerset agencies are all working together in concern for before flying out to Cyprus. We continue to discover significant numbers of UK nationals who have not yet (or rather ‘not’ find!) those household items which established residency. have gone to the other house. The advice we had from those who have themselves lived abroad was It is strange to compare the Archdeaconry in Cyprus take little and get what you need when you are there. with my previous role as Archdeacon of Exeter I think it is probably good advice. in the southwest of England. Exeter was a large archdeaconry with many (174) parishes. Cyprus has Other good advice has been given by those familiar just 6 Anglican parishes, but they are huge and a long with Cypriot living and it has been so valuable during way apart. So one change is that I make fewer but this transition period. It has included tips for dealing longer car journeys, but for two churches that involves with cockroaches, other varied insect life and the crossing the green line into Northern Cyprus, which I vicarage’s feral cats. We have had wonderful help with have already done twice to each. getting smoothly through the inevitable bureaucratic pathways of opening personal bank accounts, I have spent a day with Nigerian students at university getting car insurance for driving in the Republic and in Famagusta, leading a training day for them on in Northern Cyprus, residency documentation, local ‘servant leadership’. It was an amazing time in the healthcare and so on. We’re delighted that we now chaplain’s flat reading the Bible, praying and laughing have the paperwork to prove we are legally temporary together. I was humbled and inspired by their faith, residents on the island! The paperwork describes it commitment and enthusiasm. as the ‘Aliens Registration System’ and also says I am enjoying being rooted and grounded in a that we now have a ‘Certificate of Registration of Christian community at St Helena’s and also getting Union Citizen and EU Citizen Family Member’. I prefer involved straightaway with the ongoing work of the being considered part of a family, and that is how it Archdeaconry and the Diocese. Currently that means truly feels. working alongside the small number of diocesan office Both us of started in our respective roles gently during staff in trying to make progress with the administrative, August before we were licensed by Bishop Michael financial and legal issues that are part of the ongoing on 7 September in St Helena’s Larnaca. It was a joyful life of the archdeaconry and in preparing for the next and moving service with representatives gathered Diocesan Synod in February 2020 which will be in from across the whole island, and with the additional Abu Dhabi. joy of having Bill Schwarz there, as the Dean of Bahrain The island of Cyprus has been described to us as and Archdeacon in the Gulf. I was licensed in the ‘generous and life–giving’. That’s certainly our first combined roles of Archdeacon in Cyprus and parish impression – and it’s one that we hope, with God’s priest of St Helena’s and Anne as Archdeaconry Social help, will also guide our ministries here. Concern Officer and associate priest at St Helena’s. Our new roles mean that we find ourselves working The Venerable Christopher more closely together than ever before which is both and Reverend Anne Futcher a delight and a challenge!
13 Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf www.cypgulf.org Cyprus and the Gulf Cyprus
This placement Iraqi deacon breaks contributed positively new ground to the process by raising awareness of An Iraqi deacon from the Chaldean Catholic Church the situation in Iraq, by in Iraq has broken new ecumenical ground by learning and receiving undertaking a 3-month placement in an Anglican different skills and gifts Parish, St John’s Notting Hill in London, over the and challenging any summer.
Bishop Michael Lewis preconceptions about Deacon Milan Kakone church life in Iraq and was a professional England. Deacon Milan said, ‘This placement has football referee before been a great opportunity for me to share my story, training for ordination in as well as learning a new context here in the Church the Chaldean Catholic of England. I hope it will be the first of many such Seminary in Erbil, placements’. The Vicar of the host Parish Dr William northern Iraq (Kurdish Taylor said, ‘Hosting Deacon Milan here has been Regional Government). a gift, and we are delighted to have played a part His placement was timely, in breaking new ground and in repaying some of with the publication of the British debt to Iraq, having invaded that country the Bishop of Truro’s several times in the 20th and 21st centuries’. independent review for The placement also had a focus on youth work, one the Foreign Secretary Bishop of Truro’s Independent of the gifts of Deacon Milan, which were used in Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO support for the National Youth Pilgrimage to Walsingham and persecuted Christians (http://www.stjohnsnottinghill. in a summer play scheme for children at St Luke’s, com/religious-persecution). One of the major themes Chelsea. The host Parish is grateful for the grant from of the report is awareness raising of the situation of JMECA which contributed towards Deacon Milan’s Christians who are persecuted for their faith. The accommodation and maintenance costs. Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq, together with other Christian Churches and Yezidis, suffered greatly under A testimony to the success of this placement was the occupation of Mosul and the Nineveh Plain by an open presentation at St John’s Notting Hill, ‘The Da’esh or so-called Islamic State, from 2014–2017. unknown child in the Caravan’ in September attended While many Christians and Yezidis have already fled by 120 people. Deacon Milan catered for the event the country, many are now rebuilding their lives and himself producing delicious Iraqi food as celebration communities in and around Mosul. The situation is of this new partnership. A large group from this country still unstable. is expected to attend his ordination to the priesthood in 2020. William Taylor
The Editor of Bible Lands writes I would like to apologise to Adrian and Stella Walter, the authors of the article (in the last edition) on the Katafiyio Retreat House in Cyprus, for leaving their names off the article. Thank you Adrian and Stella!
Celebrating Tolerance. Religious Diversity in the United Arab Emirates Ed. Andrew Thompson (Dubai, Abu Dhabi and London: Motivate, 2019)
This beautifully illustrated volume, edited by Canon Andrew Thompson of St Andrew’s Church Abu Dhabi, is a symbol of the UAE tolerance which it celebrates. The book is an attractive collection of essays written by representatives of some of the many different communities in the UAE who tell something of their history, of the various features of their particular faith traditions and of their understanding of acceptance, co-existence and peace. The book’s Epilogue is written by a President Emeritus of New York University, Professor John Sexton.
14 Diocese of Iran Iran
February 11 and 12, 2019 mark the fortieth anniversary best to provide support and pastoral oversight for the Vicar-General Revd Albert WaltersAlbert RevdVicar-General of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. It was a traumatic members of the diocese. This will be one of the issues year for the diocese. On February 20 the Revd Arastoo facing the Exploration Committee looking at the future Sayyah was murdered in Shiraz. In the course of the of the Province at its October meetings. summer the diocese’s two Christian Hospitals, Farm Meetings of The Friends of the Diocese of for training blind people and other centres for the Iran are one means by which the diocese can be blind, bank accounts, and savings and pension funds remembered. The FDI has held an annual twenty- were all expropriated. In October there was an attempt four-hour conference which focuses not just on the on Bishop Dehqani-Tafti’s life, a a result of which other situation in Iran but on the wider ministry among leaders of the Anglican Communion advised him to Iranians in Britain and other parts of the world. This continue his ministry outside the country. September they held the last of those conferences and In the decades since, the diocese has become one Dr Walters was present to share his experiences and of the most isolated in the Anglican Communion, but pictures of the congregation in Iran, which brought small congregations in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz home the challenges facing small congregations in continue to meet faithfully each week even forty years a wider society suffering under the impact of severe later. The centre of the diocese is in the city of Isfahan international sanctions. He commented on the sense and officials from the ministries there are helpful in the of isolation that the congregation experiences. practical tasks that the congregations face. The Conference was also attended by a former That isolation has been compounded recently for as priest of the diocese now living in Australia where mentioned in the Editorial to the Summer 2019 Bible large congregations of Iranian Christians have been Lands the Vicar-General, the Revd Dr Albert Walters’ formed; and by three Iranian clergy ministering in the permissions to work and reside in Iran were not Church of England to English congregations and renewed. He and his wife were obliged to leave at the Iranian fellowships. end of May, after only sixteen moths in the country. Please pray for the Christians in Iran. The issue now arises for the wider province of how
Notice Board Website Upgrade It has the same web address (JMECA.org.uk) and includes much of the same type of content; news and The JMECA website has had a make-over, and it’s articles from the region along with information on the more than just a modern new look. dioceses and JMECA but we hope you’ll find it even Thanks to the very generous Colin & Jean Williamson easier to keep up to date with the amazing ministry Bequest we were able to completely re-vamp the of the Anglican Church in the Province. website in terms of functionality as well as aesthetics. Working with Effusion, who did our previous design, The Treasurer writes we have been able to make the JMECA website more accessible via mobile devices such as mobile phones JMECA continues to support the Province with and tablets. This was a critical issue as, following grants for training needs. These are often for the general trend of how people access the internet, Ordinands attending courses at St George’s College the JMECA website in 2017 was being viewed on a in Jerusalem. We aim to give up to 1/3rd of the total portable device by almost a third of our site visitors. cost which may include travel expenses. This was a dramatic increase from the 5% who used If this is of interest to you or your Church, please mobile devices just 5 years earlier when the previous contact our office for further details. secretary@jmeca. design was launched. eclipse.co.uk Another change has been to make the website more JMECA acknowledges a legacy of £50,000 left interactive. The JMECA website now incorporates recently by Norma Emerton. We are very grateful links to GDPR forms and magazine subscription via indeed to Norma and her family who have played such Mailchimp, connection to social media channels, RSS a significant role in the Anglican Church in Jerusalem feeds from the diocesan webpages and links to our (see Obituary on p.17). new online giving page hosted by Wonderful.com.
15
Obituaries Judith McKenzie frequent calls from Judith during which she enquired about the book she knew I was translating. After Judith McKenzie (1957–2019) finding out that the finished work had been locked was a well-known Australian away in a drawer for several years, as I couldn’t archaeologist based in find a publisher, she took the matter into her own Oxford. She spent a year hands. She recommended the book to her American living in a cave in Petra in the publisher and less than a year later it was published 1980s and later took students by Gorgias Press, followed by a presentation at the to Syria. She worshipped at British Academy in London. St. Mary Magdalen’s Church in Oxford. Despite many adversities, Judith was blessed in her married life. Her husband Andy Reyes devotedly and Mia Wilkinson writes… unselfishly committed himself to supporting Judith in pursuing her academic career. It was obvious from the I first met Dr Judith McKenzie through Dr John beginning that Judith’s career was more crucial than Wilkinson in the summer 1998. The first impression was household chores! that of a prudent erudite and yet somewhat daunting Oxford scholar immersed in academic pursuits. It didn’t Judith McKenzie was not only a great scholar who will take long to get to know Judith as a person equally be remembered for her brilliant academic books on interested in people’s lives and their achievements – Alexandria, Petra, the Garima Gospels and absolutely constantly encouraging and supporting them. outstanding exhibitions on Illuminated Gospels and Ethiopian and Eritrean Treasures, but also a humble It is a common idea that Judith was a private person and impartial friend to anyone in need of her support. but in fact she loved opening up to friends she knew well. And she herself was a true and uncompromising I believe Judith’s story still continues through her friend to me in good and in bad times. books, family, students, friends and indeed everyone who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing her. Soon after I settled in the UK, I received one of those May she rest in peace.
Jean Waddell She came to public prominence in May 1980 when she was shot and John Clark writes… seriously wounded by intruders in her flat in Tehran. While still recuperating Jean Waddell who died, just after her she went in August to Isfahan to obtain 97th birthday, played a significant part a visa to leave Iran, but was arrested, in the development of the Province of imprisoned in Isfahan and later in the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem Tehran’s notorious Evin prison. Along and the Middle East. From 1965 with Dr John and Audrey Coleman to 1986 she served successively as Secretary to and four Iranian Christians from the diocese she was Archbishops Campbell McInnes and George Appleton released in February 1981 on the intervention of Terry (the last two English Archbishops in Jerusalem), to Waite. Following months of speaking around the UK Vicar-General Robert Stopford under whose oversight she returned to her work as Bishop Dehqani-Tafti’s the new Province was formed, briefly to Bishop secretary, settling in Basingstoke close to his home Haddad, the first Palestinian Bishop in Jerusalem and office. In 1981 she was voted Scotswoman of and then to Bishop Hassan Dehqani-Tafti in Isfahan the year. and England, the first President-Bishop of the new Province. On retirement in December 1986 she remained in Basingstoke, an active member of St Michael’s Church Born in Arbroath in 1922 she worked as a secretary with many friends. She maintained her connections in a law firm until serving in the WRNS from 1943-46. with Iran and the wider Middle East, often attending She then continued her secretarial career in a number meetings of the Friends of the Diocese of Iran. A bright, of firms before going to Jerusalem in 1965. In 1977 well informed lady, of committed but quiet faith she she joined the Church Missionary Society to become was a great favourite of her nieces and nephew and Administrative Secretary to Bishop Hassan. She was their families She was an excellent pianist, at times extremely efficient and organised and effectively set playing in residential homes, in which as the years up the filing and other systems for the central office passed she was older than the residents. In her early of the new Province, much of which was lost after the 90s she moved to a care home, Shottermill House in Revolution in Iran and had to be re-formed in England Haslemere where she passed away on 26 April, 2019. from 1981.
16 Obituaries John and Norma Emerton the wider context of the biblical world and the other religious cultures of the time. Revd Professor John Adney Emerton As well as his university position, John held other 5 June 1928 – 12 September 2015 notable posts including being one of the Old Testament Dr Norma Elizabeth Emerton translators of the New English Bible; membership 21 May 1932 – 30 August 2018 (and latterly principal editor) of the Editorial Board of Vetus Testamentum for over twenty five years; serving Caroline Emerton writes… as Secretary and later President of the International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament; The Revd Professor John serving as President of the Society for Old Testament Emerton and Dr Norma Study in 1979, and a number of visiting professorships Emerton had longstanding around the world. Awards received during his career and close associations included the Burkitt Medal for Biblical Studies from the with Jerusalem and its British Academy in 1991. Although much of his time Christian community. was focussed on his academic life, John’s vocation They were regular visitors to ordained ministry was very precious to him and to St. George’s College he continued to take services at both his local parish Jerusalem. John served repeated terms as a Scholar church and the college chapel throughout his career in Residence, and was made an Honorary Canon of and well into retirement. the Anglican Cathedral Church of St George the Martyr, Jerusalem in 1984. They looked forward greatly to their Norma read Chemistry at St. Hugh’s College, Oxford annual visits – as times for reflection, scholarship and and worked as research assistant to Dorothy Hodgkin pilgrimage, as well as opportunities to catch up with FRS, working with her on X-ray crystallography for their many dear friends and colleagues in Jerusalem. which Hodgkin won the Nobel prize in Chemistry in 1964. Norma was awarded a PhD by Cambridge in First meeting as Oxford University students in 1975 on ‘The background of chemical theory to crystal the 1950s, both John and Norma had long and studies in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries’. In distinguished academic careers: he as a renowned 1985 she won the American Phi Beta Kappa Science scholar of Old Testament Studies and Ancient Hebrew, Award for her book The Scientific Reinterpretation of and she as a Historian and Philosopher of Science with Form, connecting the history of science to the history a particular interest in science and religion. of philosophy. Norma taught for the Department of John studied at Corpus Christi College Oxford and was History & Philosophy of Science at Cambridge for awarded a first-class honours degree in Theology in many years, and her long association with Wolfson 1950, followed by another degree in oriental studies, College spanned almost 50 years. This started as and an MA in 1954. Cambridge University conferred a PhD student and included serving as Senior Tutor a BD (Bachelor of Divinity) in 1960, and a DD (Doctor from 1994 to 1999, and participating actively in college of Divinity) in 1973. In 1977 Edinburgh University affairs as Senior Member, Fellow, Secretary and then awarded him an Honorary DD. Following Ordination President of the Society of Emeritus Fellows. Norma’s training at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, he was made deacon work focused on the relationships between science in 1952 and was ordained a priest the following and religion. year. Having been Curate at St Phillip’s Cathedral, Throughout her academic career, Norma was also Birmingham, and Assistant Lecturer in Theology at known as a passionate supporter of the advancement Birmingham University, he took up the position of of women in academia and science, and was a driving Lecturer in Hebrew and Aramaic at Durham University force behind Wolfson’s broadening of opportunity in 1953. He was a Lecturer in Divinity at the University with the development of part-time courses at Master’s of Cambridge from 1955 to 1962, and then returned degree level. to Oxford to become Reader in Semitic Philology and take up a Fellowship at St Peter’s College. In 1968 In addition to her academic work, Norma was a lifelong he moved back to Cambridge to take up the Regius supporter of the Mothers Union and was a Trustee Professorship of Hebrew, and he became a Fellow at and Secretary to the Board of the Church Schools of St John’s College in 1970. Cambridge, a 300-year-old trust supporting church schools. She enjoyed sharing her learning and ran John’s particular contribution to biblical studies was a popular course for U3A on Science and Religion. his work on the language and interpretation of the bible – especially the Old Testament, and inspiring a John and Norma delighted in their pet cats – the last whole generation of theologians whom he taught. His two named after the eminent Victorian theologians careful and thorough scholarship was enriched by his Hort and Lightfoot! unusually wide knowledge of both the biblical texts and
17 Diocese of Jerusalem www.j-diocese.org Jerusalem
Global Ministries Award of Affirmation for its critical Recent news from Gaza and courageous ministry of health care provision in one of the most densely populated and de-developed Ahli Arab Hospital receives an places in the world. Gaza has a population of almost Archbishop Suheil Dawani award from the United Church of 2 million Palestinians, almost three-quarters of whom Christ’s General Synod are refugees, who live under Israeli blockade and with frequent military assaults. The UN has warned that Gaza will be uninhabitable by 2020. Al-Ahli hospital has continued to serve the people of Gaza—most of whom are Muslims with a small number of Christians—with medical care (often free of charge) in the most trying of circumstances, with frequent electricity outages and fuel shortages, depleted medical supplies, and even structural damage that is not easily repaired due to the denial of permission of construction materials entering Gaza. Even so, the courageous medical and professional staff persevere, remaining We are pleased to share with you that the United committed to their Church of Christ’s General Synod and the Christian calling to provide care Church (Disciples of Christ) General Assembly recently and hope, “delivered honoured our Al-Ahli Hospital for its continuing work in a spirit of love and and commitment, even under extreme duress, with a service.” Global Ministries Award of Affirmation. While the award was presented in absentia, it was later conveyed to Many thanks to all the hospital Director, Ms. Suhaila Tarazi, by Canon those who contributed Peter Makari during a ceremony held at Al-Ahli. The to the recent Ali Arab award reads as follows: Hospital appeal. Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in Gaza, is presented with the
Book Reviews The Oxford Illustrated History of the Holy Land Ed. Robert G. Hoyland and H.G.M Williamson
Oxford: OUP, 2018
This book is a feast for lovers of the Holy Land. Serious Among the authors, and scholarly with substantial bibliography, it can also are Peter Walker, do duty, with its lavish maps and photographs, as a Denys Pringle, colourful coffee table browse! Lester Grabbe and Robert Fisk as well as John J. Collins, Avraham Faust The two editors have selected fifteen well-known and Adam Silverstein. The writers represent a wide scholars to write on the major periods in the history variety of institutions of higher learning including the of the Holy Land. The chapters cover ancient Israel in Hebrew University and Bar Ilan in Jerusalem, Western the biblical period, the emergence of Christianity in the Galilee College; Cardiff, Oxford and Hull Universities; Roman and Byzantine periods, the rise of Islam and and Yale Divinity School, Denver Seminary and Trinity the Crusades, the Ottoman Empire, and the modern School for Ministry. Don’t miss this wonderful book. It period up to Allenby in the early twentieth century. would make a great Christmas present! There are also chapters on pilgrimage, sacred space and scripture.
18 Book Reviews
everyday conversations with matthew John Holdsworth
London: SCM, 2019
The Ven Dr John Holdsworth has until recently been It is a given I am sure Archdeacon in Cyprus and Chaplain to St Helen’s with Holdsworth, Church, Larnaca. This book, he writes, ‘maintains but it would have my passion for a means of communicating Bible been good to see content that speaks to real situations in our world’. something more It has eight chapters after the introduction and about how we all with a comprehensive biblical reference index and bring our own hermeneutic and interpretation to bibliography. It is structured around and ‘reflects the biblical text, and about how, though important, conversations that have actually happened as Dr insightful and relevant, these are at best partial. A Holdsworth tried to imagine the kind of people who Gospel in the end is part of the mystery of ‘divine might benefit from trying to talk with Matthew today’. communication’ and human and community These people include someone struggling with why encounter. The reader sitting on their own with no Jesus had to die, a depressed minister, a wrestler with commentary or book of imaginary conversations and what truth is and someone wondering where young just reading Matthew for themselves, open and open Christians get their passion for social justice from. The minded, could bring the reader to silence, insight and text revolves around these imaginary conversations, social action before and under the Mystery, ‘in whom with subsequent sections for readers ‘to do’ after we all live, move and have our being’. reflecting further on Matthew and John Holdsworth’s St Thomas Aquinas reminds us all that our human own scholarly reflections. knowledge and insight can be as straw before The writer shows great skill and genius in being encounter with the Divine ‘Communicator’. The Bible able to bring together a vast cross-section of writers and the Gospels are interpretations, as are the words and scholars. He teases out their differences and we say and write about them. The ‘Hound of Heaven’ relevance in an accessible way and relates them is always in hot pursuit but before and after all the succinctly to the task in hand. The Greek and Hebrew words, openness and silence surely have a key part to translations of words and their nuances along with play in understanding we are dealing with the sacred, Matthew’s reliance on Isaiah, Old Testament allusions numinous, the Living Word and the Divine Mystery. In and the use of metaphor - as well as the Matthean that sense, Holdsworth’s point ‘that we are entitled to early church milieu - are all borne in mind. Holdsworth ask of the Gospel, as we engage with it, the kind of admits too of the ‘limits of scholarship’ on the use of questions we might ask in a book club’ needs always the term ‘Son of Man’ and the presence of ambiguity to be seen in the bigger theological frame. in the Matthean text. Simon Foster, Rector (retired) This book would be an ideal Lent, Advent or Adult St John’s of Lattingtown Episcopal Church, Continuing Education book and could be used flexibly Long Island, New York and selectively. It would make a great text for any individual who wants to get to grips with Matthew at Ven John Holdsworth was recently given an their own pace in private study and meditation. It also honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity at a graduation stands with other classic bible commentaries which ceremony of Queen’s College, Newfoundland. The the theology and Bible student as well as the preacher event took place at the Church of St Mary in the could go to for refreshment and inspiration. capital, St. John’s on April 30th. Queen’s College In terms of style, some readers may find the frequent is a partner in the Diocese of Cyprus and the in-breaking of imaginary conversations and things Gulf Ministry project and accredits the diocesan ‘to do’ both frustrating and a detraction from a great ministerial training courses. Dr Holdsworth is now honorary Director of Ministry for Cyprus and the core commentary and scholarly bringing together that Gulf. He is also author of the SCM Study Guide to Holdsworth does throughout. However, others may the Old Testament (2005), feel that such a style is a great user-friendly asset. It is Conversations with the after all to be a conversation linking the Matthean text New Testament (2014) to the everyday. Whoever the individual reader, this is and Conversations with a great book that the serious (in the best sense) bible the Old Testament (2016), lover will do well to have and a text that that they will all from SCM Press. go to again and again. 19 Book Reviews
The Orthodox Church of Ethiopia. A History. John Binns
London and New York: I.B. Tauris, 2017
John Binns’ recent book on the Ethiopian Orthodox Saharan African culture Church (now published in paperback, 2018) is a into something quite very welcome volume indeed. It will be of interest to unusual. Ethiopia is a wide variety of people and would be good as an the land of the ‘burnt introduction as well as for advanced study. A treasure- face’ (aitiopica) and trove of information, it is an immersion into the world most of the traditions of the largest and most colourful of the so-called central to Ethiopians Oriental Orthodox Churches. The author is already can be found in their well known for his two previous books: An Introduction key text the Kebra to the Christian Orthodox Churches (CUP, 2002) and Negast or ‘Glory of Kings’ which Binns discusses. Ascetics and Ambassadors of Christ. The Monasteries The Semitic connection gives the Ethiopian Orthodox of Palestine 314-361 (OUP, 1994). Now, in this new Christians some of their identifying practices such as work he takes his readers into the unique world of keeping the Jewish Sabbath, circumcising their male Ethiopia, its geography, history, culture, architecture, children and keeping Jewish dietary laws. Indeed, their Christology, politics and modern church life. worship is riddled with Jewish theology emanating Throughout, the author interweaves a useful from the Jerusalem Temple. Binns draws on the work chronological framework with deeper insights into of the British Old Testament Scholar Margaret Barker Ethiopian culture and identity. Binns’ work is the result who has recently established the importance of the of years of travelling to the country and getting to Jerusalem temple and its theology for understanding know locals at first hand. Although this is a serious the New Testament and early Christianity. The academic study it reflects the author’s field trips and Ethiopian church buildings and services reflect the includes quotes from his journals written whilst visiting architecture and theology of worship in the Jerusalem Ethiopia. A substantial but accessible book, readers Temple. Binns describes the significance of the Tabot, will soon become immersed in the key identifying the centre of the Ethiopian church building, which is elements of Ethiopia, its churches and traditions. effectively the presence of God. Binns begins by drawing the reader’s attention to The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is riddled with some interesting facts about Ethiopia. Of course, it is many traditions. It was two fourth-century Syrian one of the most exotic cultures on earth. It is also the travellers, Adesius and Frumentius who were home of over ninety million people. It is the country that shipwrecked off the coast of Ethiopia and who first gave its name to coffee which is taken with the famous preached the gospel to the Ethiopians. When they enjara, a flat pancake eaten with wat, a spicy sauce. arrived, they were taken up to Alexandria where This fare symbolises the culture. But perhaps the Athanasius consecrated Frumentius as Patriarch most sobering reminder is that it was in Ethiopia that thus establishing the centuries-long connection ‘Lucy’, the three-million-year-old hominid skeleton, between the Ethiopians and the Coptic Church of was discovered in 1974. She is now in a museum in Egypt. These beginnings led to the Ethiopian Patriarch Addis Ababa. Did the human race itself begin in this being chosen and consecrated by the Egyptians for incredible country? centuries afterwards, often with difficult political and practical problems. The elected patriarch was often The Orthodox Church of Ethiopia has a strong sense Coptic and didn’t speak Ethiopian or understand the of the past and early on in the book Binns notes the situation in the country over which he was presiding. strong connection with King Solomon of ancient Israel There were sometimes long interregnums including and the queen of Sheba. The author’s opening line is, one of fifty years! This tradition with the patriarchs only ‘The Ethiopian Church began its life a thousand years came to an end in 1959 when the Ethiopian Church before the birth of Christ’ (p.1). The tradition is that the became autocephalous or independent. Queen of Sheba (probably biblical Cush) travelled to Jerusalem to witness the king’s wisdom for herself. A book on Ethiopia would be incomplete without She returned home with a son, Menelik, who became coverage of the development of church buildings and the first King of Ethiopia. When he went to Jerusalem architecture, and Binns discusses the different types later, he returned with the Ark of the Covenant from the of churches including the famous round churches so Jerusalem temple. The Ethiopian tradition is that it is much associated with Ethiopia. The famous rock-cut still there today in Axum. This strong connection with churches at Lalibala and the less well-known ones in ancient Israel gives the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians Tigray are included. For worshippers, these church a distinctive Semitic flavour blending with their sub- buildings mark out sacred space whilst the calendar 20 Book Reviews of church seasons provides sacred time. The cycle of Protestant groups have moved in from the west. But feasting and fasting also contributes to the Ethiopian in spite of fundamental changes to the landscape, the Christian way of life. Other interesting features such Orthodox Church in Ethiopia is still growing as it feels as the Ethiopian Bible with its eighty-one books and its way forward in a new climate. the tradition of oral learning which still characterises For many years the author of this rich and informative Ethiopian education are discussed. Binns does a book was Vicar of Great St. Mary’s in Cambridge. He good job of underlining the Ethiopian emphasis on is now Visiting Professor at the Institute for Orthodox the spoken word in the education system as opposed Christian Studies, also in Cambridge. Anyone who to book-learning. He also draws attention to the very knows the Ethiopian Orthodox Church or Ethiopia different mind-set in worship: the church has to do with itself will find the book fascinating. And anyone who gathering in the presence of God, not with Christians doesn’t know them will find it a very enjoyable way of seeking forgiveness. The Ethiopian mindset, he says, engaging. Binns’ book could inspire a first visit to the is often incomprehensible to westerners! country – or a return. There are interesting black and Ethiopian history is punctuated, of course, by the white photographs, a Bibliography for readers who arrival of Islam in the region in the sixth century and want more, and very full academic notes. This work of numerous missionaries from the west in later certainly provides an exciting taste of the spicy flavour centuries. The appearance of the Moslem faith of an exotic and dynamic country, culture and church. resulted at times in bad relations, in conversions (in Stephen Need both directions) and in the destruction of numerous churches and manuscripts. However, in the longer term there developed a peaceful co-existence which From the book: prevails today. At the present time new mosques are being built and Islam is very much part of the “This remarkable book helps its readers not only landscape of contemporary multi-faith Ethiopia. to learn about the Ethiopian Orthodox Church – its history, theology and spirituality – but also Catholic and Protestant missions to Ethiopia date to live its amazing journey over the centuries. back to the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. John Binns has poured all his experience and The Jesuit missions arrived shortly after they were deep love of the church into his volume, which founded. Two individuals are selected for special is unique in its breadth, scope and sympathy. I mention: Pero Paez and Alfonso Mendes. These cannot recommend it highly enough.” sparked a clash between Roman western culture Bishop Mouneer Anis and that of Ethiopia. One of the major differences, of Diocese of Egypt with North Africa course, was Christology. The Ethiopians had not been and the Horn of Africa at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 and had ended up “John Binns has a long and deep acquaintance on the Monophysite (or as the author reminds us, now with the Ethiopian church – its liturgy, prayer, usually known as ‘Miaphysite’) side of the fence. Binns ancient ascetic practice and unique art and brings out well how this controversy flared up again architecture. In this lush and authoritative book when Chalcedonian missionaries arrived expecting to he leads the reader on a journey into the spiritual find agreement in much later centuries and how the world of those he has so often visited, and does word Tawehedo (or Unionist) was added to their name: so with a striking sensitivity to their theological the Ethiopian Orthodox Tawehedo Church. world and fractured political milieu. Much more than a travel book, this volume is more truly a The Protestant missionaries were equally interesting. whole spiritual education.” Also Chalcedonian, they arrived with European Professor Sarah Coakley, University of Cambridge Reformation ideals and wanted to provide the Ethiopian Orthodox Church with a Reformation of its own. And there were some colourful characters here also including Samuel Gobat (later Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem), David Stokes and the American Thomas Following Jesus in the Holy Land. Pathways Lambie. There was also the eccentric Ethelstan of Discipleship through Advent and Lent. Cheese, the first Anglican Chaplain in Addis Ababa, Stephen W. Need (Sacristy Press, 2019) who was appointed in 1926 and was really quite saintly A new book for Advent and Lent though he didn’t hold the job down for long. using some of the most important The final chapters of the book focus on the more places in the Holy Land as ‘lenses’ recent spread of evangelical and Pentecostal through which to think about Christianity in Ethiopia. Binns paints a balanced and Christian discipleship. Ten chapters provide individuals or groups with realistic picture of how the country has now changed biblical and other information in both politically and in terms of religion. The traditional addition to questions for discussion and things to Ethiopian Orthodox Church has lost a good deal of do. To be reviewed in the next Bible Lands. its influence, power and significance as the newer 21 Praying round the Province The Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, home to the three Abrahamic faiths and the centre of the world’s political conflicts, asks your prayers for...
1st The Presiding Bishop of the Province, the Most Revd Suheil Dawani. THE DIOCESE OF JERUSALEM 2nd The Archbishop, the Most Revd Suheil Dawani and his wife Shafeeqa. For wisdom as he leads the church in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. His administrative staff and the Very Revd Canon Hosam Naoum, Dean of St. George’s Cathedral. 3rd The clergy serving the parishes and institutions in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon and the congregations who keep the faith and sustain the churches in troubled times. 4th The hospitals and centres that tend the sick: the Diabetic Clinic Ramallah, St Luke’s Hospital Nablus, the Alhi Arab hospital Gaza, and the Penman Clinic, Zebabdeh. 5th The schools that prepare the next generation: St George’s Jerusalem, the International School Jerusalem, the Arab Episcopal School Ramallah, the Vocational Training Centre Ramallah, Christ’s School Nazareth, St John’s School Haifa, the Ahliyyah School for Girls, the Bishop’s Kindergarten and the Bishop’s School for Boys Amman, the Schneller Vocational Training Institute Amman, St Saviour’s School Zerqa, St John Baptist School for Integration of the Blind Irbid, and St George’s School Lod. 6th The centres of healing: the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre, the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf Salt, the Jofeh Community Rehabilitation Centre Jordan Valley, the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf Beirut, St Luke’s Centre for the Mentally Disabled Beirut, the Home for the Elderly Amman, the Episcopal Home for Children Ramallah. 7th The guest houses that provide hospitality and refreshment for pilgrims and all visitors: St George’s Jerusalem, St Margaret’s Nazareth, St Andrew’s Ramallah, the Schneller Institute Amman and Christ Church Jerusalem. 8th Those who work for peace: the Peace and Reconciliation Movement, Kids4Peace, Sabeel and people from all sides who seek peace and pursue it. 9th St George’s College Jerusalem and its courses: the Dean, the Very Revd Richard Sewell and his wife Julieann, the Course Director, the Revd Mary June Nestler, the Chaplain, and their families. Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed, kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all your people the true love of peace. THE DIOCESE OF IRAN 10th The Vicar-General, the Revd Dr Albert Walters; the three deacons and others who take leadership roles. Wisdom for those who seek the new bishop. 11th The political leadership of the nation. The wellbeing of all people in Iran. 12th The congregations of the Episcopal Church in Isfahan (its suburb Julfa), Tehran & Shiraz. The cities where congregations have worshipped in past years – Kerman, Yazd, Ahwaz. 13th All involved in ministry among Iranians through media, literature, witness and leadership training. 14th The Diaspora of Iranian Christians scattered in many nations. Guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love.
22 Praying round the Province Blessed Lord, who faced the time of trial have mercy on our failings and out of our weakness bring your strength.
THE DIOCESE OF CYPRUS AND THE GULF 15th The Bishop, Rt Revd Michael Lewis and his wife Julia. Georgia Katzantonis and the diocesan administrative staff. 16th The Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral Nicosia, the Very Revd Jeremy Crocker and his wife Beth. The Dean of St, Christopher’s Cathedral Bahrain, the Very Revd Bill Schwartz and his wife Edith. 17th The Archdeacon in the Gulf, the Ven Bill Schwartz and his wife Edith, the Archdeacon in Cyprus the, the Ven Christopher Futcher and his wife Anne. 18th The clergy and people of Cyprus in Nicosia, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos and Ammochostos. The work of the Katafiyio Retreat House. 19th The clergy and people of the Gulf in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, Oman, Doha, Aden and the clinic at Ras Morbat, and the scattered congregations of the Arabian Peninsula who keep the faith privately. 20th The Church in Qatar and for Canon Paul-Gordon Chandler who leads the mission of the Epiphany Centre. The congregation of Baghdad led by Canon Faiz Jerjes. The people of Iraq, of all faiths, and all the Iraqi Christians who are sheltering in other lands. 21st The political leaders in Cyprus, Iraq and the Gulf States, that all may seek and create just and stable governments. 22nd The Friends of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. Almighty and everlasting God, creator and giver of all good gifts, mercifully hear our prayers and grant to this diocese all things needful for its welfare. DIOCESE OF EGYPT with NORTH AFRICA and THE HORN OF AFRICA 23rd The Bishop, the Rt Revd Dr Mouneer Anis and his wife Nancy. All Saints’ Cathedral, Cairo and its staff. The diocesan administrative staff. 24th The Bishop in North Africa, the Rt Rev Dr Samy Fawzi Shehata and his wife Madeline. 25th The clergy who serve the church day by day in Egypt, Libya, Algeria Tunisia and the Horn of Africa and the congregations who sustain them. 26th The Anglican Church in Ethiopia and all who serve there. 27th The institutions that serve the community: the Harpur Hospital in Cairo, the Health Centre in Sadat City, the Episcopal School Menouf, the work with the deaf, with refugees, with prisoners and in other areas of welfare and social need. 28th The Alexandria School of Theology in Alexandria and Cairo. Its Principal, the Rt Revd Dr Samy Fawzy Shehata and all his staff and students, that it may be a place of sound learning and good fellowship. 29th The Egypt Diocesan Association and all friends of the diocese. Strengthen the faithful, protect the children, comfort the sick, uplift the fallen and bring us all to be of one heart and one mind within the fellowship of your holy church. *** 30th The Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association. Its Chairman, Revd Canon Anthony Ball, and the Chair of the Standing Committee, Mr John Clark. The staff in the office in Farnham, Mrs Shirley Eason and Mrs Shirley Atkins. All whose gifts, past and present, sustain it.
23 Spain Turkey
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17 18 Pakistan
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The Four Dioceses Sudan 20 Jerusalem Egypt & North Africa Bishop Suheil Dawani Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis 9 1. Palestine & Israel 5. Algeria 21 2. Lebanon 6. Tunisia 3. Syria 7. Libya 4. Jordan 8. Egypt 11 The 9. Eritrea Cyprus and the Gulf 10. Ethiopia Bishop Michael Lewis 11. Djibouti 10 Anglican 14. Cyprus 12. Somalia 15. Iraq 16. Kuwait Iran Province 17. Bahrain Rev Dr Albert Walters 12 18. Qatar 13. Iran of Jerusalem and 19. United Arab Emirates 20. Oman Kenya the Middle East 21. Yemen