New Series Promotes Peace in Middle East
The UC Davis School of Law Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA), Middle Eastern/South Asian Law Students Association (MESALSA), and Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA) introduced their new Common Ground series of events for the 2007-08 academic school year with a kick-off Tea Time scheduled on October 18, 2007 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the King Hall Courtyard.
The Common Ground series of events aims to build respectful relationships and constructive discussion among future leaders in the Middle East peace process. The series is designed to allow students to learn more about the historical and modern day context of the Middle East crisis and to personally engage in a peaceful solution. As the Middle East crisis continues, student leaders from the co-sponsoring organizations are worried that people are beginning to view it as a lost cause. The Common Ground series serves to remind the community that peace is possible.
"By providing a place to eat and a place to laugh, we hope to give those who are often silenced by warmongers on both sides a chance to voice their opinions in a safe and inviting atmosphere," stated Nabil Bisharat, Co-Chair of the Middle Eastern/South Asian Law Students Association. Bisharat continued, "We hope that these events, and the new relationship forged between our organizations, will act as a reminder to all that peace is always possible when we are willing to see each other as human beings."
The Common Ground Tea Time was the kick-off event for the series. Members from co-sponsoring organizations shared traditional baked goods and listened to Arab and Jewish music in the King Hall Courtyard. The event was open to the entire UC Davis School of Law community and student organizations made a special invitation to faculty and staff.
The second event is a lunch time discussion of the film "West Bank Story," the 2006 Academy Award Winner for Best Live Action Short Film. The second event is scheduled for November 19th at noon in Room 2008. Student leaders plan to invite historians and peace advocates for the 2008 spring semester to provide students with a historical backdrop for the Middle Eastern crisis and an analytical approach to peaceful solutions. Student leaders are hopeful that the Common Ground series will attract expert panelists of varied perspectives and backgrounds who emphasize a peaceful solution to the Middle East crisis.
The Tea Time was co-sponsored by the Law Students Association of the UC Davis School of Law. Coffee and tea were provided by Common Grounds Coffee, a local Davis coffee shop.
Press Release/November 19, 2007