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

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“It will be very spiritual,” she said of the prayer service. “I’m a Christian from Bethlehem, and I presented my own story at our interfaith dialogue at Marylhurst. Since the age of 15 I have been working to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict.”

One of her teachers, Dr. Sheila O’Connell-Roussell of the Marylhurst University religion department, is an optimist about Almukarker.

“She is such a gifted young woman,” O’Connell-Roussell said. “Mira is so full of hope for her people, and she wants to use the education she received here at Marylhurst and her faith in God to work for justice ...”

“She’s an incredible young woman. She’s a shining light. Mira is the reason why people like me get into this business.”

Almukarker’s service was organized by her classmates, including Jennifer Pixler, who will sing at the event.

“Mira is a good friend and now she’s going home,” Pixler said. “It will be good to give her our blessing. We’re really excited about this because we’ve developed a passion for international relations and creating a faith dialogue.

“It’s exciting we can do something like this at Marylhurst University.”

Crystal Farr, another of Almukarker’s friends and classmates, will perform a dance.

Starting at 5:30 p.m., the prayer service will be held in Wiegand Hall, which is located in the E.B. John Administration Building in the heart of the Marylhurst campus.

And remember, everyone is invited.

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