anglican focus

The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

Occupation

"The Gaza Strip is commonly known as the world’s largest open-air prison. Home to 2 million people in an area of land 45 kilometres long and 12 kilometres wide at its widest point, it is the third most densely populated region in the world" (Nils von Kalm)
Features

"Palestinians in Gaza need the world to know what they are experiencing"

“Since 2007, the people of Gaza have had their land, sea and air illegally blockaded by Israel. The blockade constrains the movement of Palestinians outside of Gaza, impeding their access to basic necessities like healthcare. Additionally, unemployment sits at more than 40 percent, electricity is only available for about six hours per day, and 95 percent of the water is undrinkable,” says Nils von Kalm

Features

“Each morning you must wake up and find your own hope”

“Daily life all over the world often revolves around work and food. Looking at the second photo, we see the work that this man does, growing strawberries for all to eat. Taken in Ramallah, this photo captured for me that element of life going on,” says Helen Rainger from the Diocese of Canberra-Goulburn

Films & TV

The Idol

The Idol tells the story of how Mohammad Assaf travelled from the Khan Yunis refugee camp in Palestine’s Gaza strip to the Arab Idol competition in Beirut. Since the film is based on real life and the outcome is famously known, the artistic challenge for the filmmaker was to present the story in a fresh way that keeps the viewer engaged,” says The Rev’d Dr Greg Jenks, who is the former Dean of St George’s College, Jerusalem

Features

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you”

“While we were on the island building the canoe we prayed and fasted in preparation for the journey, so we were spiritually and mentally ready. We knew that if we were caught by the Indonesian military that we would be tortured or killed. We also knew that we would likely have to contend with cyclones, pirates, sharks, thirst and hunger,” says a former refugee from West Papua