The purpose of the Abraham Path is to inspire respect. It is to underscore and disseminate Abraham's universal messages of oneness, unity, faith, justice, peace, and hospitality toward all. Against a backdrop of conflict in the Middle East that has become a global symbol of intractable strife and despair, the Path and its images of imams, priests, and rabbis walking alongside one another will help inspire the imagination of millions around the planet with new possibilities for mutual respect.

As the father of monotheism and the spiritual forefather of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, Abraham is the unifying point for over three billion people who consider themselves part of the family of Abraham. It has long been a dream for many — including Martin Luther King Jr. and the late Pope John Paul II — to walk in the footsteps of Abraham.

The Abraham Path starts from the ancient arch in the center of Harran, in the ruins of the old Mesopotamian city located in present-day southeastern Turkey, where Judaism, Christianity, and Islam concur that Abraham heard the call of God to go forth. The route proceeds through Syria (passing the Euphrates, Aleppo, Damascus), and through Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. It passes through Jerusalem and ends at the Tomb of Abraham in al- Khalil/Hebron, a total of 1100 kilometers. As with other wellknown trails, travelers will choose to travel all or part of the route, and will do so on foot, by camel, by car, by bus, or a combination. Other parts of the Abraham Path could be opened in the future connecting Ur in southern Iraq and Harran, and Egypt and al-Khalil. Parallel events will be organized in communities around the world in the form of local "Abraham Walks" from churches to mosques to synagogues, shared religious services and festivals, and educational events on religious coexistence.

For more information on this global initiative visit www.abrahampath.org