On June 14, 2013, an Israeli newspaper called Haaretz featured URI’s Wasatia CC, giving the novel moderate Palestinian movement the spotlight, momentum and acknowledgement it has been struggling to gain since its formation in 2007. The article, written by Lauren Gelfond Feldinger, captures Mohammed Dajani’s reasoning and hopes for creating Wasatia CC, which was to establish an alternative Palestinian party that is centrist and peace-bound.
For years, Mohammed Dajani witnessed the Israeli-Palestinian relationship and incidents where both groups were able to respect one another. Furthermore, for centuries the Arabs and Israelis, as well as the three religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), lived peacefully within the same region. Dr. Dajani thus came to the realization in order for these divided groups to cohabitate in peace there must be peace among the religions and moderation must influence individuals’ behavior and thoughts. For this to occur, extremism had to be diluted because it hindered negotiation endeavors as well as any form of dialogue. Accordingly, Palestine needed a moderate leader and party. Wasatia CC would be the answer.
Wasatia CC is a social and political movement governed by the principles and ideas of moderation, pluralism, democracy, justice, peace, freedom of faith, and equality that derived from the Quran. The term “wasatia” comes from a verse in the Quran denoting justice, balance, moderation, middle ground, centrism, and temperance. Dr. Dajani’s aim is to represent the Islamic nation as a just and moderate nation. Dr. Dajani also references Judaism and Christianity in an effort to illustrate likenesses and cohesion.
Several students and academics at Al-Quds University, where Dr. Dajani teaches political science, support Wasatia CC. In addition, members from Fatah and Hamas attend Wasatia conferences to listen. Wasatia CC appeals to individuals who have a deep commitment to Islam and to its approach to conflict resolution through moderate and peaceful means.
Although, Wasatia CC has yet to receive widespread recognition as an independent Palestinian party, Dr. Dajani believes “that one day Wasatia will be the ruling party in Palestine.” Perhaps with its recent press coverage Wasatia CC is on its way to becoming a popular social and political movement.
