The Facts
On Sunday, in a Lutheran Church ceremony in Jerusalem, Sally Azar became the first female Palestinian pastor in the Holy Land.
Following her ordination, Azar will lead the English-speaking congregation at the Church of the Redeemer in Jordan.
The Spin
Narrative A
Trailblazing women show that there is a forward-thinking path available in the Middle East region and that progress is possible. Hopefully, we are seeing the start of a growing movement of women entering positions of power in Middle Eastern churches.
Narrative B
Unfortunately, women in the Middle East have been thrust into pastor roles out of necessity rather than an ideological pursuit of equality. Women continue to be in danger throughout the region and female pastors have faced grave threats. There is an enormous amount of work to do in terms of gender equality in the region and its religious institutions.