Abdul-Salam Mortaja, “The Benefits of Non-Violence as a Culture and Instrument for Conflict Resolution” project graduate held his first initiative. It was conducted in cooperation with Basmat Amal for the Care of Cancer Patients Center (a smile of hope); it was entitled “Nonviolence in Combating Cancer.” Interestingly, this initiative goal is a part of the whole project’s mission which is spreading nonviolence culture and facing violence with peaceful ways. It was attended by 27cancer women patients.  

The session was opened by a word delivered by the project coordinator in which she confirmed the importance of disseminating these concepts of nonviolence and tolerance among the Palestinian society; she added that we should start by ourselves and then move what we have to the people around us. Abdu-Salam continued to say that cancer could be a type of psychological violence that has to be faced in a nonviolent manner. Nonviolent attitudes help patients to overcome the psychological and even the physical negative syndromes of the disease and let them engage more effectively in their environment. Afterthought, Mortaja defined violence, its forms and its disastrous effects on the person’s life. Furthermore, he encouraged participants by mentioning success stories of cancer patients who were able to be influential persons in their society and didn’t allow their painful disease to be a deterrent in their life. Attendants were really excited and asked for conducting such sessions that raise awareness and enhance positive thinking.