Israeli Arab Muslim Woman Speaks Out - Salma Abdallah,

Click here to hear her First Radio interview as a spokesperson for the Walid Shoebat Foundation

Born in Israel, to Palestinian parents, she attended a Catholic school and grew up in a vibrant mixed cultural and religious neighborhood populated by Christians, Muslims and Jews - all Israelis. In this mixed community of immigrants hailing from many countries of both Europe and the Middle East, Salma learned basic values, humanitarian lessons and survival skills.

Some of her closest confidants were, on the one hand, Jewish Holocaust survivors, and on the other hand, Arabs who originated in Jordan and Egypt. In this dynamic human cauldron, growing up as a Palestinian Arab in the cultural melting pot of Israel, Salma learned the complexities of interpersonal relations and coming to terms with being a bi-racial product of the Middle East.

Living in two cultures, as a young person she gained vital lessons on how to face life realistically and courageously. Welcomed in Jewish homes, she was also cared for and protected by Jews. From this early experience she concluded that co-existence was not only possible but desirable, if a diverse Middle East is to work. "This takes compromise and sacrifice - but it will be worth it in the end, " said Salma. "We have much to learn from each other."

According to Salma, "democracy is possible in the Middle East, but this will require much experimentation and considerable time to adapt it to the Arab experience and mind-set. It is something that I believe in strongly and feel that it can work. I saw how Israeli's created a vibrant democracy, even though hardly any of them had come from countries where democracy was known or practiced."

Some 25 years ago Salma's family relocated to the U.S.. she studied Spanish and also psychology, because she wanted to gain a better insight into people's mentality as well as get closer to the community in which she lived. "I went to college with the daughter of the PLO ambassador to the UN at the time. He was a very nice and objective man, and I never heard him or his family condone violence. I also never heard them condemn it."

As a proud Muslim woman, Salma believes that coming to terms with realities is of utmost importance today. She councils her Muslim community to accept the existence of the State of Israel and see the positive values that derive from its being a part of the Middle East. She also encourages Muslims to take responsibility for mistakes made in the past and not to blame others, like Jews, Israelis, Americans and so forth. And finally she advises them to deal with the problems within their communities and to take responsibility for improving their own culture, education and community life.

Salma takes this message of empowerment to mosques, churches and synagogues, as well as to high schools and college campuses, and to many diverse organizations and public forums. She brings her hope for peace and coexistence, and her belief in the future, to TV and radio audiences, and is often interviewed in leading newspaper and publications. She is a person who lives with faith in a better future for all.