Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage

This pilgrimage walk is a response to a global invitation by an autonomous network of Christian organizations and churches engaging in a prayerful show of solidarity around the world. During Lent (Feb. 14-March 28), people will walk the ‘length of the Gaza strip’, and with our bodies, we will prayerfully map Gaza onto our own cities; in this case, Ottawa, on the traditional unceded lands of the Anishinaabe Algonquin people. Our route will be 22km, which is about half the length of the Gaza Strip. We will start and end at Ottawa City Hall, with several stops along the way for rest and prayer. We expect the walk to take about 8 hours, and welcome participants who want to join for shorter sections. We will be sharing our map and tentative schedule on this event page shortly to facilitate this.

Our group has chosen to raise funds for three groups contributing to the GC movement’s fundraising priorities of relief; refugee assistance; and arrival of relief and refuge:

1. Mennonite Central Committee – https://mcc.org/…/disaster-response/palestine-and-israel
2. PWRDF Gaza and West Bank Emergency Response Fund – https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx…
3. UNRWA – https://donate.unrwa.org/gaza/~my-donation?_cv=1

There are 8 core principles that all groups who participate in the walk must adhere to and we ask that you read them before registering for this walk. <https://www.gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com/core-convictions>

As well, all Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage Walks will be calling and praying for:

A. Enduring and Sustained Ceasefire.
B. Immediate flow of life saving food, water, aid, fuel and humanitarian assistance.
C. Release of all hostages – both the Israeli hostages held by Hamas – and the Palestinian hostages held in the Israeli prison system.
D. End of occupation so a just peace can begin.

We know there are many more “asks” that could have been made, but these walks have been created to lift up the voices of Palestinians who have been suffering for decades.

We extend a warm welcome to people who are not connected to any spiritual or religious tradition. It is our hope that all who are committed to the core principles will join with us on March 16th.

WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE?
A pilgrimage is a sacred journey, a prayer with one’s body – be it by foot, wheelchair, on an animal, or by bicycle – to a destination, with the desire to turn one’s heart to God, and share in God’s heart for all of creation, particularly the vulnerable.

In organizing this Pilgrimage, we aspire to:

1. Keep the war in Gaza and the need for a ceasefire in front of us as we journey together
2. Encourage all Christians, Jewish and Muslim believers, and people from other faith traditions as well as no faith traditions, to join with us in a prayerful walk for peace in the Holy Land.

From Omar Haramy, Director of Sabeel, Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, Palestine:
“The Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage beckons to us as an opportunity not just to witness but to actively engage in the pursuit of peace. Let us unite in the spirit of nonviolence, a force that transcends borders and dismantles the structures of dominance.

Our collective strength lies in challenging the roots of the problem, addressing the deep-seated issues that perpetuate suffering. It is time to act, to be the change we wish to see, and to lend our voices to the call for a lasting ceasefire. By supporting this pilgrimage, we become part of communities working tirelessly to make a difference, fostering understanding, compassion, and unity in the sacred land that has witnessed too much strife. Let us rise above the discord, standing shoulder to shoulder, as advocates for peace, as architects of a brighter future for the Holy Land.
Together, we can create a legacy of harmony, resilience, and hope. Thank you for joining the movement and being a catalyst for change.”