At His Excellency Dr. Ghoulem Berrah Foundation, we are devoted to peace. Day after day, we take the necessary steps to achieve our goal of peace.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 19, 2026, we organized a luncheon at the Foundation in honor of a group of teenagers from the Abrahamic Faiths, presided over by Mrs. Berrah. In attendance were five Catholic students and two teenagers of the Islamic Faith. All were very proud of their Faith. The exchange was intense.
The two Muslim students spoke about Eid Al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of the Holy month of Ramadan, as their favorite holiday. First, because of the efforts of fasting, they were able to accomplish, and because of the festive atmosphere, family gatherings were held.
While emphasizing the importance of Lent, a time for sacrifice and efforts to grow closer to the Almighty, Christians agreed that Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, was their favorite holiday. Gifts and family gatherings were also part.
When the Muslim students mentioned Eid Al-Adha, the celebration of Abraham’s sacrifice, they were apologizing for the misinterpretations they sometimes faced.
I had to explain that it’s a shared belief among Jews, Christians, and Muslims, but only Muslims mark the holiday.
Then the moment came when the Christians started grilling the Muslim students about the five pillars of Islam:
-Do they pray on time?
– When were they intending to perform the Hajj, the major pilgrimage to Mecca?
The fifteen and sixteen-year-olds were surprised; they recognized that they needed to grow older, maybe in their thirties or forties.
They exchanged information about how long a Mass lasts in the Catholic Faith and about the length of prayers in Islam.
The atmosphere was respectful and joyful. They enjoyed the experience.
Respect and acknowledgments are Key to building peace.
They are the future of our country. They are the future of the world.
We need them to be soldiers of peace.