KAFR CANNA Kafr Canna located in the lower Galilee, Israel, about 6 km North-East of Nazareth. It is situated on an important crossroad that existed during the ancient past, leading from Egypt to Syria and Galilee to Jerusalem. Kafr Canna today sits on the ruins of Canna which is mentioned in 14th-century Egyptian BC documents. During the first temple period the town was under the jurisdiction of the tribe of Zebulun. During the second Temple period, until the Byzantine period it remained a Jewish town. Josephus Flavius, Commander of the Galilee during the great rebellion against Rome was born, raised and lived in the Canna village.
Today Kafr Canna is a traditional settlement with approximately 21,000 inhabitants, the overwhelming majority, more then 80% are Muslims while the rest are Christians. Christians and Muslims have been living there for centuries, side by side, in relatively good neighborly and peaceful relationship. Respecting each other's religious beliefs, allowing every settler to live according to their tradition and faith. Kafr Canna today has a successful industrial zone, giving jobs to hundreds of workers from the town and neighboring towns. The town has a variety of churches, among them, is a sixth century AD church, located on the ruins of a 4th-century AD Synagogue. Today it has three churches: Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic Church and a Catholic Church (Franciscan religious order).
Kafr Canna is a holy place Needless to say Kafr Canna is a holy place for Christians, with many places of interest, Among them: Nathaniel s house, Nathaniel was a disciple of Jesus. his house still exists today. At Kafr Canna (Cana), Jesus performed his first and second miracle: The first miracle made at the wedding-jesus attended when he turned water into wine. At the different churches, ancient stone jugs (vessels) are the same ones from which Jesus performed his miracles. The second miracle, Healed the son of the official.
The first miracle : Jesus manifested his glory at Cana Scripture: John 2:1-11 1 On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. 3 When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4 And Jesus said to her, "O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast." So they took it. 9 When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
The second miracle Scripture: John 4:46-50 46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Caper'na-um there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Jesus therefore said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." 49 The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way.
Pilgrimage to Kafr Canna Due to importance of Kafr Canna in the Christian tradition the village is an important pilgrimage focal point for Christian pilgrims from all over the world. Kafr Canna hosts some 35,000 pilgrims every month. Due to the wedding tradition, the village has turned into the preferred marriage site by many couples. Believers who are already married come to the village to renew their vows.
Underlying principle behind the world peace center The Islamic religion is a religion of peace and fraternity between people everywhere. As true believers of different religions and denominations in the world, it's our job to spread this message of peace and fraternity between people everywhere. This we can do through joint prayers for peace and a better life for all members of the different religions to the one G-D in which we all believe in. To facilitate us to pray for peace we have initiated the establishment at Kafr Canna a common Prayer House (though divided) to members of the various religions.
The world peace center location This world peace center will be located in the southwestern part of Kafr Canna. On the lower slopes of Mount Sikh. One of the highest points of the village. It s prominent place will enable the center s building to be seen in large areas north of the village.
The land and the building plan Israel Lands Administration has given a long term rent of the land to the local authority in Kafr Canna. The plot number 17471 Section 44 Lot 271. Lot size is 1,000 sq. m. It is situated 350 m above sea level. The Zoning permit is for a public building. The building permit was authorized and received in September of 2014. Approved detailed plan no. 8588/c
The planned structure The planned building area is 1,400 meters at 4 levels: Ground floor 541 m² 1 st floor 535 m² 2nd floor 535 m² 3rd floor 210 m² The building will have mosque and church turrets. Plus two elevators two flights of stairs.
Costs: Earthworks concrete works NIS 111,170 Cast construction cost NIS 1,858,093 Building blocks cost NIS 83,700 Sealing frame costs NIS 147,640 Carpentry and framework cost NIS 155,324 Sanitary facilities costs NIS 571,314 Electrical cost NIS 1,142,000 plaster Costs NIS 173,984 Floors and wall coverings Costs NIS 365,885 coloring cost NIS 90,380 Cost of aluminum NIS 303,660 Air-conditioning components cost NIS 979,600 Industrial built parts Cost NIS 165,350 Special building for disabled accessibility cost NIS 19,764 Kitchenette costs NIS 3060 Fire and smoke alarm system cost NIS 137,576 Landscape development cost NIS 8,580 Outside Furniture cost NIS 61,350 Hedge cost NIS 75,390 Development Widening roads NIS 697,948 Tunneling cost NIS 272,590 Protected areas and shelters cost NIS 63,175 Working hours and rental equipment NIS 33,081 Total NIS 7,502,614 VAT NIS 1,350,470 Total tax payable incl. VAT NIS 8,853,085
Time Table Nov 2014- Feb 2015 Moving and preparing the land for construction Mar 2015-Jun2015 Preparing and building walls Jul 2015 Cornerstone laying ceremony Jul 2016 Official opening of the Kafr Canna World Peace Center
Procedure of the Building Process Since the end of last year 2014 we finished aligning the ground and started to building the retaining walls.
Recognition In recognition to those that are contributing in building this World Peace Center their names will be commemorated on a plaque at a special section in the front entrance of the building.