Campinas – The Campinas City Hall celebrated on Tuesday (29), the 30 years of Arab events promoted by Brazil’s Jerusalem Institute. The event took place at Sesi Theatre and counted on the presence of several representatives and supporters of the Arab community. November 29th is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
As a request of the head of Jerusalem Institute, Ali El-Khatib, the honour was shared with other people and institutions that support Arab culture in Campinas. Among those receiving the diploma of merit for this reason were the president at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Salim Taufic Shahin, and the International Relations vice president at the organisation, Helmi Nasr.
“Campinas is a model in relations, in solidarity with the Arab people, starting with the Palestinians, who currently feel the need for humane recognition due to their struggle, their suffering for the creation of the state,” said El-Khatib.
Among the several events and actions promoted by Jerusalem Institute over three decades is the creation of the Arab Studies and Research Nucleus at Campinas College (Facamp), the establishment of Yasser Arafat Peace Park and Memorial, the establishment of Campinas as a sister city with Jericho, and the promotion of business seminars with the Arabs, among others.
“The City Hall is today playing an important part in recognising the 30 years of Arab events in Campinas, which are events celebrating the peace of the people,” pointed out alderman Dário Saad. According to Renato Simões, a secretary of the city, who represented mayor Demétrio Vilagra, with the event, “Campinas returns to the Arab people a little of what we received, the culture of joy and the social projects of our city.”
Salim Schahin said that “it is an honour for the Arab Brazilian Chamber to have helped Jerusalem Institute over the last 30 years. The Chamber also has much to do with culture and we have a great project to develop in São Paulo, the Arab Culture House, to show everybody the great contribution of the Arabs to Brazil”. During the event, he also invited the mayor and businessmen in the city to a business trip to the Arab world.
Ibrahim Al Zeben, the ambassador of Palestine, said that “the Brazilian people are very sensitive to fair causes and once again show this solidary soul that wants to work for peace.” “I feel very good in this city and in this state where you bet on the future of the continent. We want to bring ties [with the Brazilians] closer. Palestine needs you.”.
“I would greatly like to thank those that are meeting to show the people of Brazil the value of Palestine,” said Helmi Nasr. To Mohamed Habib, dean of the Extension and Community Affairs department at the University of Campinas (Unicamp), solidarity with the Palestinian people in Brazil “has a special taste”, and that it is “due to the Brazilian nature of being a plural people, of immense ethnic and religious diversity, a great heart that houses all.”
In total, 18 people were honoured for their support to Arab culture in Campinas. After the session, there was a music presentation with musician Sami Bordokan’s group and a cocktail for guests.
*Translated by Mark Ament
