‘The Middle East: A Crisis of Identity’ topic of Sept. 11 presentation

Palestinian Christian, biblical scholar, author, and Middle East specialist Peter Sabella will present “The Middle East: A Crisis of Identity” on Monday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. in the Wheeler Concert Hall.

As a Palestinian Christian from Jerusalem, Sabella brings the unique perspective of being both Palestinian and Israeli. He possesses a comprehensive knowledge of the Bible and the religions of the Middle East. He has the unique capacity to interconnect the Bible, history, archaeology, politics, and theologies of the Middle East. He is known as a captivating, engaging, knowledgeable, and personable lecturer in theological and secular venues.

Sabella is a leading licensed tour guide for tourist and pilgrim groups visiting the Holy Land. Before that, he worked as an emergency program officer at the Italian Consulate, where he identified, designed, and implemented emergency interventions and humanitarian aid in the West Bank and Gaza. His work in one of the most chronic locations of conflict and wars focused on health issues, the provision of medical supplies, urgent food delivery to the most vulnerable people affected by conflict, education, and solving infrastructure problems, all of which resulted from the ensuing armed conflict between Palestinians and Israelis.

Sabella received his master’s degree in peace and development studies from the University of Guttenberg in Sweden and his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bethlehem University, the first university established in the West Bank. His master’s thesis, assessing the American mediation roles in the Camp David Summits of 1978 and 2000, was awarded a “University Distinction.”

Sabella is the author of “Closed for Renovation: On the Road to Emmaus,” published in English and French. He is Fluent in English, French, Hebrew, and Italian, in addition to his native, Arabic. For a time, he was a reporter for the Jerusalem Times English Palestinian Newspaper.

Sabella’s presentation is sponsored by the Episcopal Church in Wyoming.

The Wheeler Concert Hall is located in the Music Building on the Casper College campus.​