"Al Ayoun festival celebrates Kingdom’s rural heritage,"
The Jordan Times, June 29, 2008
"Abraham Path takes stakeholders to undiscovered realms,"
The Jordan Times, June 20, 2008
OVERVIEW
The Abraham Path is a route of cultural tourism that retraces the journey made by Abraham (Ibrahim) through the heart of the Middle East some four thousand years ago. Three and a half billion people — over half the human family — trace their history or faith back to Abraham, considered the father of monotheism. The Abraham Path honors this shared cultural heritage by linking together into a single itinerary of outstanding interest and beauty the ancient sites associated with Abraham and his family.
The Abraham Path will serve as:
• an intercultural meeting place, inspiring respect and understanding among people, young and old, around the world,
• an economic catalyst, creating sustainable development through responsible tourism,
• a positive media focus for articles and films, highlighting the unique heritage and hospitality of the region.
The centerpiece of the Abraham Path is a long-distance walking trail, beginning in the Turkish city of Sanliurfa, where many believe Abraham to have been born, and in the nearby ruins of Harran, where Abraham is said to have heard the call of God to 'go forth.' Initially covering a distance of 1,200 kilometers, the Abraham Path will pass through some of the finest landscapes, historic sites, and holy places of the Middle East before culminating at Abraham's tomb just south of Jerusalem in the city of Hebron/Al-Khalil. Eventually the route will extend to encompass Abraham’s travels to and from Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Please click here for the route map.
The Abraham Path will attract visitors from near and far, traveling on foot, and by bus, car, or bike, along parts or all of the route. In villages and towns alike, they will experience an abundant array of local traditions – architecture, crafts, foods, and music — offered with the generous hospitality that is habitually extended to travelers in these lands. The Abraham Path will also be accessible to everyone in films and on the Internet, as well as through local Abraham walks in communities worldwide.
The Abraham Path Initiative is an international NGO (nongovernmental organization), founded in 2007, whose purpose is to inspire and support the development of the Abraham Path. Harvard University first brought attention to the Abraham Path through the Global Negotiation Project in 2004. The Global Negotiation Project currently serves as a partner of the Abraham Path Initiative. The Abraham Path Initiative is a non-profit, non-political, and non-sectarian organization honoring all cultures and faiths, which is supported by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.
Work is now underway to make the completion of the Abraham Path a reality. Host organizations are forming in countries along the route. The first study tour along the entire Abraham Path was conducted by bus in November 2006 and a guidebook for travelers is currently in progress. The first walking segments have been opened, youth walks and guided tours have already begun, and the network of trails is intended to open slowly over the coming years.
We invite you to join us in this historic initiative to create a path of respect and inspiration for the ages. We are currently facilitating small group tours down the path as a way of bringing the path to life for the guests (international travelers) and hosts (communities along the route). These small group tours will take you to the developed sections of the path, to the historic sites, and into villages and towns to gain a respect and appreciation for the local customs and ways of life of the people who traverse the path. If you would like to join one of these tours, become involved in the Initiative in some other capacity, or seek to learn more, please visit our website at www.abrahampath.org or contact us at info@abrahampath.org. Come walk with us!
