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Introducing
The Friendship Caravan, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit American organization dedicated to promoting multi-cultural understanding and mutual respect through educational programs, discussions and media-friendly cultural events. The Friendship Caravan's programs are non-political; they endeavor to reach out to and include all constituencies. In 2004 and 2005, they are focused, in particular, on the commonalities between Americans and people of the Kingdom of Morocco. Through activities taking place in Marrakech and elsewhere in Morocco and, later, across the USA, the Friendship Caravan will encourage citizens to explore the cultures and belief systems within the greater American experience and seek to apply lessons learned to improving communication and understanding between Americans and Moroccans. In fall 2003 the Caravan organized a weeklong series of events in Maryland where Morocco was prominently featured, including walks for American-Arab friendship, a nationally televised town meeting with Arab ambassadors, a cultural festival, and a videoconference between high schools. The Friendship Caravan, Inc. was founded in 2001 by Michael Kirtley, a writer-photographer who has spent years living in the Middle East and Africa, working for such magazines as National Geographic, Life, and Geo. The organization is based in New Haven, CT, with an office in Washington, DC.
FRIENDSHIP CARAVAN EVENTS -- 2004-05 Friendship Caravan events in 2004-2005 are focused, in particular, on developing bridges of friendship between Americans and Moroccans. Our primary emphasis is in fostering communication between American Evangelical Christians and the Kingdom of Morocco through varying levels of exchange, both in Morocco and in the USA. Begun in early 2004, these efforts will peak next May 6-8 with Friendship Fest Morocco, a people-to-people celebration of shared values and friendship through music and dialogue. Friendship Fest Morocco is the fruit of more than a year of reflection and decisions made within Morocco and inside the American evangelical community. In May 2003 Reverend Richard Cizik, Vice-President for Government Affairs of the National Association of Evangelicals, spearheaded a "Consultation on Islam" that led to a sweeping declaration urging evangelicals to moderate their rhetoric toward Islam and begin a more respectful, positive dialogue with Muslims around the world. Then in early March 2004 Michael Kirtley led a nine-member delegation to Morocco that included several prominent evangelical leaders, including Rev. Cizik, Rev. Rob Schenck, president of The National Clergy Council, William Murray, head of the Religious Freedom Coalition, and Rev. Harry Thomas, co-founder of Creation Festivals, the largest gatherings of contemporary Christian music in America. The purpose of this delegation was to research religious freedom and democratic reform in Morocco. "We met with Prime Minister Driss Jettou," reports Kirtley, "several other cabinet ministers, the Wali of Casablanca, and top Muslim, Jewish and Christian authorities. We were also warmly hosted by Wali Mohamed Hassad and Regional President Abdelali Doumou of Marrakech. Through intense conversation the two sides developed a love and respect for each other." "When I say it was exhilarating to discover that we could understand each other and trust each other, that isn't even strong enough language to describe it," said Rev. Schenck. "It was almost ... a religious experience in itself to discover that." In Marrakech Wali Hassad asked Rev. Harry Thomas if he would present a "Human Rights" award at a major event to celebrate the achievements of women, called Khmissa 2004. When Harry said yes he had no idea that the ceremony would transpire in a large theater as part of a program that would be televised throughout Morocco, to much of the Arab world and to France! At first the audience was not sure what to make of Harry when he was introduced as an American Christian clergy man. With great aplomb he won them over with his warmth, humility and sense of humor. He then went on to give the award to Assia El Qouadie, a woman who worked with prison reform. Harry referred to Scripture and stated something to the effect that those who work with the poor touch the face of God. The crowd broke out in a three-minute standing ovation! From then on, wherever Harry went people came up to him, saying, "Thank you for talking about God. You were the only person on the program that did so." Even before the delegation returned home the Moroccans emphasized their desire to foster an ongoing relationship, inviting evangelicals to help the Moroccan poor through development projects. And when Rev. Thomas returned home he received a letter from Moroccan Ambassador Mekouar confirming an invitation he had received verbally from Marrakech Wali Hassad to bring Christian music to Morocco as the most visible component of an event to promote friendship with American Christians. "The Moroccan overture is a great beginning," said Rev. Richard Cizik, "and a sign of good faith from leaders of a country whose inhabitants are almost entirely Muslim. It's a bold step by both faith communities to showcase cooperation and mutual respect in a conflict-weary world." In early May, Kirtley and Rev. Thomas returned to Morocco to scout for venues and discuss the format for doing a festival there. Accompanying them were renowned music producer Tim Landis and stage manager Denny Keitzman. Landis, also co-founder of Creation Festivals, says of the trip, "I can honestly say that none of us will be the same. The love, acceptance and hospitality that were shown to us was more than we ever expected. We spent hours sharing our faith with our new Moroccan friends, festival specialist Saad Zniber and his son Moundir who in turn shared with us about the Arab world and their Muslim faith." The outcome of this visit was to choose a site just outside the walls of Marrakech and to decide on a date. Friendship Fest Morocco, May 6-8, 2005 Under the agreement reached in Marrakech, Friendship Fest Morocco will be a jointly-organized high-profile celebration of shared values and friendship through music and dialogue that is anticipated will draw over 50,000 people daily from all over the world - including many Americans and Europeans. Already numerous well-known Christian music groups have agreed to go to Morocco without compensation, among them Stacie Orrico, Phil Keaggy, Toby Mac, Jeremy Camp, with Newsboys and other top groups soon to be announced. Several Moroccan contemporary and traditional groups will also be on the program. Tim Landis will be the American producer and Saad Zniber, former director of the Fès Sacred Music Festival, will manage production from the Moroccan side. Moreover, Reverends Cizik and Schenck will coordinate a "theological exchange" to bring high-profile Muslim and evangelical Christian leaders together for conversations that are "not just academic but also spiritual," according to Rev. Schenck. The goal, says Rev. Cizik, is not to proselytize but to build friendship and break down hostile images. "One thing the evangelical members of the delegation agreed on is that any Christian witness in the Muslim world must be a passive type of witness -- by our lives, our actions, our disposition," he said. "We have stereotypes of Muslims, and they certainly do of conservative Christians. They are both caricatures we need to dispense with". In mid-July King Mohamed VI sent his personal envoy H.E. Taïb Fassi-Fihri, Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs, to meet with Kirtley, Cizik, Schenck, and other evangelical leaders at the Moroccan Embassy. He confirmed Morocco's commitment to opening ties of friendship with the American Christian community, making it very clear that evangelicals were welcome in Morocco: "His Majesty hopes this will become a long-term friendship between our two peoples, mirroring the historically strong ties between our two nations." Noting that it was crucial to "avoid this so-called clash of civilization" by "pursuing shared values," he voiced his optimism that the ongoing exchange would "help combat the image of America promoted by Islamic extremists as a hedonistic society." H.E. Fassi-Fihri concluded his remarks by saying that Morocco and the American evangelical community had the potential to "make history" together through such events as Friendship Fest and by opening up a dialogue between Evangelical and Muslim intellectuals. Moroccan Ambassador Aziz Mekouar is personally committed to further developing this exchange: "Here in the U.S.," he said, "most people have absolutely not the slightest idea what Islam is. It is coming from the same revelation, the same scriptures, and American Christians don't know that, nor about the aspirations of moderate societies like Morocco. . . On the other side, Moroccans didn't know who evangelicals are, and they saw nice people humbly expressing love and wanting to do good."
ABOUT MICHAEL KIRTLEY, President and Founder Hailing from Bardstown, Kentucky, Michael Kirtley has spent much of his adult life living and working in the Middle East and Africa. As an international photojournalist, Michael wrote and photographed numerous feature stories for such publications as Newsweek, Time, National Geographic, Life, Stern, Geo, and Paris-Match. He interviewed numerous heads of state, including former South African President Nelson Mandela, the late King Hussein of Jordan, and Libyan President Moammar Gaddafi. Over the years, Mr. Kirtley has founded and supported several humanitarian organizations in France and in Africa. Founded by Kirtley in the aftermath of 911, The Friendship Caravan is committed to promoting media-friendly grass roots exchange between Americans and people of the Arab World. Michael attended Amherst College where he earned a B.A. in Psychology, Phi Beta Kappa, 1999.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THE FRIENDSHIP CARAVAN IS ORGANIZED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS HAVE PROVIDED IN-KIND SERVICES AND/OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
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