Al Amana Centre Newsletter 07/2025

Director’s corner

As the world waited with bated breath to see how the conflict between Israel and Iran would play out, I was travelling back to the US to spend the summer connecting with US based partners and supporters of Al Amana Centre. While I missed any major travel disruptions, for a few days, the whole Gulf and Levant regions shut down as bombs and missiles littered the sky.

It seems now, for the moment, that the cease fire will hold. For that we are thankful. What this situation highlighted for me is that even as we are connected globally, our knowledge of each other is still limited to what the news reports. These reports do not capture the true essence of the region or of the people who call it home. It also reminds me that governments don’t always represent the people of the country and that there is a need for people to meet and know people, and not just rely on the news media to tell our stories.

I am committed to the work of Al Amana Centre, not just because of the importance of the current work, but for what it represents and the future that we point toward. A future based on peace and justice where people of different religions and cultures can know each other. I am thankful to all who support our work, and I look forward to creating together communities of peace, wherever we call home.

Rev. Justin Meyers

Executive Director

Reflections from participants

There are few places in the world with the unique history, context, and geography to create a space for relationship among Muslims, Christians, and other religions in a way that promotes tolerance, mutual understanding and empathy, and reconciliation and shalom. This is something that Al Amana Centre and Oman offers. 

Hear from a former and future participant and program partner, Kristen Gray:

While visiting the Centre (once with an RCA women’s group and twice with college students) I fell in love with the mission, the place, and the people.

Here is what I love about the Al Amana Centre:

• The mission to build peace through interfaith understanding and meaningful community engagement
• The place which allows for a clearer image of the biblical stories of my faith
• The people who share about their faith and their lives in order to connect around shared values 

Despite current realities in the region, I plan to return to Oman in November with a group from my church. The mission, place, and people will be there and, Inshallah, we will be too. 

Kristen Gray is retired Associate Dean for Health and Counseling at Hope College, and an Elder at Hope Church, Holland, Michigan, USA.