” Fasting teaches the heart discipline, compassion, and solidarity with those who suffer. “

– Pope Francis

This year, the holy month of Ramadan and the sacred season of Lent once again overlap. In Bethlehem, this is more than a calendar coincidence. It is a livedreality — visible in homes, mosques, churches, and in the daily work of Holy Land Trust.

Both seasons are built on the same spiritual pillars: fasting, prayer, reflection, repentance, and charity. In Islam, Ramadan deepens spiritual discipline and generosity through Zakat and Sadaqah. In Christianity, Lent invites self-examination and acts of mercy in preparation for Easter.

In Bethlehem today, these shared values meet urgent needs.

Families continue to struggle under economic pressure, limited tourism, and instability. For many households, fasting is not only a spiritual choice — itmirrors an economic reality. This is where faith must become action.

At Holy Land Trust, the work of transforming trauma into hope reflects the heart of both Ramadan and Lent.

When we facilitate compassionate listening sessions , we embody the spiritual discipline of pausing, reflecting, and truly hearing the pain of others.

When we provide family support and food assistance , we translate charity from concept into concrete relief.

When we create safe spaces for children through art therapy and youth programs, we nurture resilience and restore dignity.

Our programs intentionally integrate these principles. During Ramadan evenings and Lenten reflections, children gather in spaces where they can express fear, strength, and hope through creativity. Spiritual seasons become opportunities for emotional healing.

What makes this moment especially powerful is the interfaith dimension. In Bethlehem, Muslim and Christian communities do not observe these seasonsseparately from one another. Neighbors exchange iftar invitations. Churches and mosques echo prayers within walking distance. Shared hardship hasdeepened shared responsibility.

Holy Land Trust’s vision has always centered on nonviolence, dignity, and community transformation. Ramadan and Lent reinforce this vision: real change begins withinthe human heart, but it must extend outward through action.

Fasting teaches empathy.

Reflection builds awareness.

Charity creates impact.

As these sacred weeks unfold, we are reminded that solidarity is not abstract. It is choosing to accompany families who are struggling. It is supporting youthwho carry invisible trauma. It is investing in programs that strengthen resilience instead of despair.

We invite you to walk this season with us.

Your support during Ramadan and Lent is not simply a donation — it is participation in a shared spiritual commitment to justice, compassion, and hope.

Together, across faith traditions, we continue the journey from trauma to strength.

Holy Land Trust, in partnership with the Greek Catholic Patriarchate School Peter Nettekoven Beit Sahour , continues the implementation of the Creative Voices project for tenth-grade students. The third training session was held on Friday, 13 February 2026, as part of the project’s ongoing effort to empower students and raise awareness about key contemporary issues affecting their daily lives.

The session focused on two essential topics in today’s digital and social context. The first part addressed cybercrime in cooperation with the Bethlehem Police – Cybercrime Department . Students learned about the definition and types of cybercrimes, how they occur, their risks, as well as prevention strategies and the appropriate steps to take when facing online threats.

The second part focused on bullying, facilitated by trainer Hunaida Iseed . Students explored the concept and forms of bullying, its psychological and social impact, strategies for self-protection, and ways to support others while promoting a culture of respect and acceptance within their school community.

Through open discussions and interactive exercises, students strengthened their awareness and leadership skills, positioning themselves as positive change-makers in both their real and digital communities.

On Saturday, 14 February 2026, Holy Land Trust hosted the second session of the 5th edition of Generation to Generation at our offices in Bethlehem.

Implemented in partnership with Bethlehem University and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands under the project “Grassroots to Global: The Voice of Communities Reaching the World,” this session focused on identity, feminist identity, and the feminist movement globally and in Palestine.

The day began with a simple yet powerful question: “Who am I?” Participants created multi-dimensional identity maps, exploring the layers that shape who they are.

Through interactive discussions, short videos, and small group dialogues, students reflected on how feminism has evolved in different contexts and how it takes on unique meaning within Palestinian social and national realities.

The session created a safe and respectful space for dialogue, critical thinking, and mutual listening. Students challenged stereotypes, deepened their understanding of identity as dynamic and evolving, and strengthened their confidence in expressing their voices within the university and beyond.

Generation to Generation continues to open spaces where young women connect personal narratives with broader social contexts — building awareness, leadership, and meaningful engagement.

During Ramadan and Lent, your generosity can ensure that Muslim and Christian families in Bethlehem break their fast with dignity.

As Ramadan and Lent unfold side by side, many families in Bethlehem continue to face severe economic hardship due to ongoing instability and the collapse of tourism.

Through Holy Land Trust’s Food Coupon Program, vulnerable families from both communities receive vouchers that allow them to purchase essential groceries locally — preserving dignity, supporting neighborhood shops, and strengthening community resilience.

Your contribution during these sacred seasons transforms fasting into action, and compassion into tangible support.

During Ramadan and Lent, we witness how faith becomes action. When we provide food coupons to both Muslim and Christian families, we are not only responding to economic need — we are strengthening unity, dignity, and hope in our community.

Lara Nassar Mitri,

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Holy Land Trust