Welcome to Byblos, Lebanon- Every time you walk into a library or open a book, you are unknowingly referencing a Phoenician port that has been standing for over 7,000 years...

 

Byblos - Lebanon

Welcome to Byblos (Jbeil)—one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the true "intellectual port" of history. Here’s the fascinating story: While the Phoenicians were introducing the alphabet to the world, the city of Byblos was the global heart of the papyrus trade. It was so central to the trade that the Ancient Greeks began calling papyrus itself "Byblos" after the city. Fast forward to today, and this legacy is hidden in plain sight within our languages:

Bible

Bibliography

Bibliothèque (Library)

Every time you walk into a library or open a book, you are unknowingly referencing a Phoenician port that has been standing for over 7,000 years.

MENA Visuals

@menavisualss

https://x.com/menavisualss/status/2047162535694995504

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United Nations

@UN

 

Books are a centerpiece of learning and advancement. They also have the ability to inspire and transport our minds, particularly during times of stress or difficulty. More from @UNESCO on Thursday's #WorldBookDay. 

 

 https://unesco.org/en/days/world-

 https://x.com/UN/status/2047299952553136240

A celebration of the power of books

Books are like a window onto another world – with each new page, they introduce us to new people, new cultures and new ideas. Every year, on 23 April, UNESCO celebrates World Book and Copyright Day in recognition of the power of books as a bridge between generations and across cultures.

Dallas church’s Nativity evokes immigration detention centers, homelessness: The Nativity scene asks passersby to consider what it would look like if Jesus’ birth took place today.

Oak Lawn United Methodist Church’s Nativity scene depicts silhouettes of Mary and Joseph surrounded by chain-link fencing topped with razor wire. “I feel it doesn't make the story more political, it makes it more biblical. It invites us back into the raw and difficult nature of the true setting of the story,” said senior pastor Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison.    

Dallas Morning News story by Marcheta Fornoff 

 

Oak Lawn United Methodist Church’s Nativity scene depicts silhouettes of Mary and Joseph surrounded by chain-link fencing topped with razor wire. “I feel it doesn't make the story more political, it makes it more biblical. It invites us back into the raw and difficult nature of the true setting of the story,” said senior pastor Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison.... READ MORE  https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/2025/12/17/dallas-churchs-nativity-evokes-immigration-detention-centers-homelessness/

 &

Oak Lawn UMC Reveals Nativity Display Lifting Up the Journey of Migrant Families

Social Media Statement:

This installation on our front steps reimagines the Nativity in the reality faced by thousands of families fleeing violence, poverty, and political instability. The Holy Family were migrants seeking safety. In Dallas, many families face the same uncertainty.  At Christmas, we remember that God chooses to be with those the world pushes to the margins. May this scene call us to make room — in our hearts, in our city, in our policies — for the Christ who comes as an unhoused immigrant child.

Full Press Release:

Dallas, TX — Oak Lawn United Methodist Church has unveiled a powerful new public installation on its front steps this Advent season—an artistic reimagining of the traditional Nativity that places the Holy Family in the lived reality of thousands of migrants and asylum-seeking families today.

The installation invites the Dallas community to see the Christmas story through the eyes of those fleeing violence, poverty, and political instability. Reflecting on the piece, Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison, Senior Pastor of Oak Lawn UMC, said, “The Holy Family were migrants seeking safety. In Dallas, many families face the same uncertainty.”

By grounding the Nativity in a contemporary humanitarian crisis, the church hopes to spark deeper compassion and honest reflection during the holidays.

“At Christmas, we remember that God chooses to be with those the world pushes to the margins,” said Rev. Griffin-Allison. “May this scene call us to make room—in our hearts, in our city, in our policies—for the Christ who comes as an unhoused immigrant child.”

Oak Lawn UMC serves as a key community hub for hospitality ministries, including outreach to unsheltered neighbors and support for recently arrived migrant families through Dallas Responds. This installation reflects the congregation’s ongoing commitment to embodying solidarity, justice, and radical welcome.

The Nativity will be on display throughout the Advent and Christmas season. Community members are encouraged to visit, take photos, and reflect on how the story of Christ’s birth speaks into the urgent realities facing Dallas today.

Press Contact:
Rev. Ryan Wager
Associate Pastor & Operations Leader
Email ryan@olumc.org
Wireless 405-213-8944

 https://olumc.org/nativity-2025/

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"Admirers from UNICEF leaders to Hollywood actors have praised her for saying what many politicians won’t. Critics, meanwhile, accuse her of politicizing childhood. She doesn’t flinch. “I have to just remind myself that kids’ lives are more important than my reputation,”" Ms Rachel, Glamour magazine's Women of the Year

Women of the Year

The Meaning of Ms. Rachel

She redefined children’s media—and built her empire—by centering empathy. Now she’s channeling that same ethos into activism.

By Samantha Barry  Photography by Caroline Tompkins and OK McCausland

October 27, 2025

"...Today she presides over a global media empire—13 billion YouTube views, more than 17 million subscribers, nine books, a line of toys that sells out within hours, and a Netflix series with four episodes in its first season that pulled in more than 53 million views, making it the platform’s seventh most watched series in the first half of 2025 and the most watched kids program of the same period. Oh, and she just had her second child.

And then there’s the other side of Ms. Rachel: the advocate. She’s spoken openly about postpartum depression. She’s brushed off conservative backlash for posting a Pride Month message to her followers. And most recently, she’s become one of the loudest American voices for the children in Gaza. Fundraising, posting, and bringing Rahaf, a three-year-old double amputee, onto her show. Admirers from UNICEF leaders to Hollywood actors have praised her for saying what many politicians won’t. Critics, meanwhile, accuse her of politicizing childhood. She doesn’t flinch. “I have to just remind myself that kids’ lives are more important than my reputation,” she tells me..."

https://www.glamour.com/story/ms-rachel-women-of-the-year-2025?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us 

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Agree to disagree… and let people live their lives.

"Human rights don’t change with the seasons, political winds, or trends. They are timeless. In an increasingly polarised world, they help to unite us. No matter where we live or what we believe, we all want safety and peace for ourselves & those we love." Volker Türk #United Nations #GoldenRuleThinking

Volker Türk

@volker_turk

Human rights don’t change with the seasons, political winds, or trends. They are timeless. 

 

In an increasingly polarised world, they help to unite us.  No matter where we live or what we believe, we all want safety and peace for ourselves & those we love.

 

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |

@UNHumanRights

Chief 

 

 #StandUp4HumanRights

 

https://www.ohchr.org/en/topic/terrorism-and-violent-extremism

Terrorism and violent extremism

OHCHR and terrorism and violent extremism

Special Rapporteur on terrorism

Terrorism involves the intimidation or coercion of populations or governments through the threat or perpetration of violence. This may result in death, serious injury or the taking of hostages. These acts must be prevented, and the financing, movement and activity of terrorist networks stopped, in order to prevent future violations of human rights.

The victims of terrorism must also have access to an effective remedy and reparations. Victims of terrorism and extremism can play a crucial role in building stronger, more resilient societies.

Terrorism and violent extremism violate the human rights and fundamental freedoms of groups and individuals. However, States define terrorism in different, sometimes ambiguous ways, so domestic legislation does not always protect the human rights of citizens.

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]

ENGLISH - poem by Khawla in Grief

Dr Khawla Badwan

@KhawlaBadwan

It was never about English #KeepTellingofGaza #GazaGenocide

Mosab Abu Toha poem ... "Every house is my heart"

Palestinian writer from Gaza. Main account @mosab_abutoha

 Author

Backup: @mosababutohapoet
Pulitzer Prize winner
National Book Critics Circle Award finalist

Mosab Abu Toha

@MosabAbuToha

Forest of Noise (Knopf 2024)/ Pulitzer Prize/ OPC/ American Book Award/ National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist/ Founder of the Edward Said Public Library
 

Mosab Abu Toha 

(مصعب مصطفى أبو توهة)

https://www.facebook.com/mosab.abutoha

If you ever feel heavy because you care deeply about injustice, suffering and ecological destruction, remember that a trillion dollar propaganda machine was built to make you numb AND IT DIDN'T WORK ON YOU

Protesters in Tel Aviv held up portraits of Israeli hostages—next to it, photos of Palestinian children killed in Gaza. Humanity and sympathy know no borders.

Protesters in Tel Aviv held up portraits of Israeli hostages—next to it, photos of Palestinian children killed in Gaza. Humanity and sympathy know no borders.

United Nations 🇺🇳 Working for peace, rights and wellbeing since 1945. World Interfaith Harmony Week ... Every single soul matters

United Nations Geneva

@UNGeneva

Working for peace, rights and wellbeing since 1945.

@UNGeneva

Tolerance Mutual respect Pluralist tradition Diversity of religions & beliefs More than ever, we must recognize the valuable contribution of people of all religions & beliefs to Humanity  https://buff.ly/40OhAfY #WorldInterfaithHarmonyWeek

U.N. World Interfaith Harmony Week seeks to spread the message of harmony & peace among followers of all faiths. The Gift of Love.

Building a Culture of Peace ...

On 27 March 1953, the Canadian Government presented seven nickel-silver doors for the General Assembly building. On the exterior of each one of them are four panels in bas-relief symbolizing fraternity (inset), peace, justice, and truth. United Nations.

Together, we can pave the way for a more peaceful, inclusive and just world for all people.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres

Human fraternity for peace and cooperation

We need — perhaps more than ever before — to recognize the valuable contribution of people of all religions, or beliefs, to humanity and the contribution that dialogue among all religious groups can make towards an improved awareness and understanding of the common values shared by all humankind.... READ MORE  https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-fraternity

What is the Culture of Peace?

A culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, traditions and modes of behaviour and ways of life based on:

• Respect for life, ending of violence and promotion and practice of non-violence through education, dialogue and cooperation;
• Full respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States and non-intervention in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law;
• Full respect for and promotion of all human rights and fundamental freedoms;
• Commitment to peaceful settlement of conflicts;
• Efforts to meet the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations;
• Respect for and promotion of the right to development; Respect for and promotion of equal rights and opportunities for women and men;
• Respect for and promotion of the right of everyone to freedom of expression, opinion and information;
• Adherence to the principles of freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding at all levels of society and among nations; and fostered by an enabling national and international environment conducive to peace.

Source: A/RES/53/243

Why do we mark International Days?

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.

 

Related websites

• International Day of Peace
• International Day for Tolerance
• Human Rights Day
• International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures
• World Interfaith Harmony Week
• International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
• World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
• Sustainable Development Goals
• United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

 

This Christmas, once again, we find ourselves reflecting on the meaning of Christmas through the image of Christ in the Rubble... 87% of housing units in Gaza are damaged.

Munther Isaac منذر اسحق

@MuntherIsaac

 

This Christmas, once again, we find ourselves reflecting on the meaning of Christmas through the image of Christ in the Rubble. 

 

Christ is still under the rubble in Gaza, as children are still being pulled from under the rubble in Gaza. 

 

It is heartbreaking that we are still calling and pleading for a ceasefire. 

 

Decision makers seem to be content with this war continuing as long as it has. They have decided that Palestinians are dispensable. 44700 killed (not including those under the rubble), including close to 17500 children. 

 

87% of housing units are damaged. 

 

Thousands are physically handicapped. Millions are traumatized. It is literally hell on earth in Gaza. 

 

How many more need to be sacrificed before decision makers decide enough in enough? 

 

We insist: we see the image of Jesus in every child killed. They are precious to God. 

 

May we unite this Christmas in lighting a candle for Gaza, and particularly for the children of Gaza. This is beyond symbolism. Let us unite in prayer, and commit ourselves to the cause of ending this genocidal war. We cannot stop talking about Gaza. 

 

We can stop advocating. Most importantly, we will not lose our faith and hope in God and the goodness and justice of God.

 

12:47 PM · Dec 8, 2024

United Nations Security Council today underscored that UNRWA remains the backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza & affirmed that no organization can replace or substitute its capacity and mandate to serve Palestinian refugees and civilians in urgent need of life-saving assistance.

 United Nations Geneva

@UNGeneva

@UN Security Council today underscored that @UNRWA remains the backbone of all humanitarian response in #Gaza & affirmed that no organization can replace or substitute its capacity and mandate to serve Palestinian refugees and civilians in urgent need of life-saving assistance.

 

“Empathy is the glue that makes us stand united in humanity. If you don’t act for the Palestinians you will become irrelevant to the world. The only way to comply with international law is imposing sanctions against Israel. May this be the last genocide in human history.” Powerful words from @FranceskAlbs  after presenting her latest report on Israel’s genocide at the UN

 

“Either the world ashamedly fails those who so desperately need help, or we stand united and put a stop to this.” Warning that one of the darkest moments of the #Gaza conflict was unfolding,@UNHumanRights chief @volker_turk calls for an end to the carnage and destruction.