The Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue (FDCD) would like to wish you all happy holidays, a merry Christmas and a wonderfully blessed new year to come.

This of course is our first Christmas as FDCD and we are excited and proud of the fact that many of you have made this initiative a reality. Your accompaniment, support and friendship have meant a lot to us over the years, and especially as the Forum began to take on its new structure and role during 2004. We have worked to share our ideas and aspirations with you, and in return your have sent us messages of solidarity indicating ways in which we can further strengthen the work of the Forum in 2005 and the years to come.

Our dreams are without limits, and your presence along our side keeps us grounded in the mission to work with economically, socially and culturally marginalized communities all around the Middle East . We are committed to the work of justice and peace in the Middle East through dialogue and advocacy. This can only be possible through a greater and deeper partnership with our friends and colleague in the region and also around the world. We have learned in the past years that there are many like-minded individuals and organizations who are also working diligently to bring about justice, peace, security and human dignity to all those who are suffering from inhuman and oppressive conditions – our commitment to them is strengthening by your partnership as we likewise hope that you have found it worthy to partner with the FDCD.

The Forum will soon share with you its ambitious plan for 2005, hoping to have significant, transformative impact on the lives that we touch in these activities. We also pray that we may learn – in likeness to Jesus Christ in His humility – from those with whom our paths cross on the ground.

May you have a wonderful holiday season with your families and friends, and may we be blessed with love, companionship and stewardship in the years to come.

On behalf of the FDCD Board and Staff,