INTERFAITH CELEBRATION

Farewell to Marylhurst student who is heading back to her home in Bethlehem

By Cliff Newell

The Lake Oswego Review, Jun 11, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Mira Almukarker will soon be taking her MBA from Marylhurst University back to her home in Bethlehem in Palestine. But before she leaves she is planning a special event on Monday.

VERN UYETAKE / lake oswego review

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Mira Almukarker is saying farewell to Marylhurst University on Monday evening, and she is having a special event.

It’s a prayer service, not a party, and the young Palestinian woman wants everyone to come for the interfaith gathering and a celebration of peace.

This is especially important to her because she will soon returning to her home in Bethlehem.

“The more people the better,” Almukarker said. “It’s going to be an interfaith service with Muslim, Christian and Judaism faiths represented. Americans for Human Rights are going to be there.

“We’re going to pray for peace and we’re going to have a liturgy. But it’s going to be different.”

In spirit and music, the celebrants will be doing more than offering Almukarker congratulations and saying goodbye. They will be praying for her mission.

A recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, Almukarker is not just planning to use her new MBA degree from Marylhurst to enhance her career in business and international relations. She will seek to help bring peace to a region seemingly hopelessly ripped by hatred and violence.

But Almukarker is the optimistic type.

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