By Daoud Kuttab

With the background of the destruction caused by hooligans supported by the Israeli police and in front of a huge Armenian flag, an interfaith solidarity event took place in Jerusalem’s Armenian quarter. Dubbed “The Great Lent Dinner Gathering”, the Save the Armenian Quarter hosted Jerusalem Christians, Muslims, and Jews for an authentic Armenian dinner at the Cow’s Garden parking lot in the Armenian Quarter on Wednesday, April 17^th.

The event, attended by nearly 200 supporters, was an act of solidarity and celebration as well as a show of gratitude to the volunteers, lawyers, clergy, philanthropists, and supporters of the nonviolent protests to save the Armenian Quarter.

Sertrag Balian the co-founder of the Save the Armenian Quarter called the event a “wonderful show of unity” during these times of hate and anger. ”Christians, Muslims, and Jews all sharing a meal celebrating Armenian culture and celebrating Jerusalem. The unique and diverse Jerusalem we all love, the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural Jerusalem that belongs to all of us. Today, the Cows Garden is the incarnation of the real Jerusalem. Jerusalem of peace, harmony, and coexistence.”

Hagop Djerzedian the other co-founder of the Save the Armenian Quarter said that even during these difficult times that we all go through we should always keep the faith and hope, strengthening our unity and love. “The great Lent event which took place in the Cows’ Garden is a sign of resilience, hope, and peace. We have a long way to go and meanwhile, we should use all necessary and possible ways to keep this land Armenian and part of Jerusalem”.

Participants enjoyed the outdoor meal and gathering and vowed to continue supporting the efforts of the indigenous residents of the Armenian quarter in their struggle to save their land from commercialization and attempts to usurp their centuries-old presence in the city of Jerusalem.