Christ’s Living Stones
We are Christ’s Living Stones
Palestinian Christians, often called the “Living Stones,” have lived in the Holy Land for over 2000 years, with a lineage tracing back to the first Christians during Pentecost. Despite centuries of persecution, foreign occupations, and displacement, their cultural and ethnic identity as Palestinians has remained unbroken. Many became refugees after 1948 and 1967, but their strong connection to the land endures. They take pride in their contributions to Palestinian society and strive to amplify their voice, advocating for justice, liberation, and recognition of their existence. Palestinian Christians seek solidarity from the global community, particularly the Christian Church in Australia, to support the Palestinian cause.
Historical Presence
Identity & Resilience
Contributions to Society
Call for Support
Our Beliefs
We Palestinian Christians, believing that human beings are created in the image of God, our vision is for a secular inclusive and progressive future in our homeland, where all people are treated equally with the same rights and opportunities in accordance with international law
Our Values
Team Members
Our Board of Directors
Suzan Wahhab
(President)
Suzan Wahhab, born in Jerusalem after the 1967 occupation, grew up in Ramallah before migrating to Sydney in the 1980s. Her grandparents were refugees from the 1948 Palestinian Nakba. A CPA and financial strategist, Suzan co-founded Money Intelligence and shares her family’s Nakba story in her book Money Intelligence – Anchored in Values. She acts as a financial strategic adviser to Christian and secular charities. She is Treasurer for Friends of Sabeel Australia, Treasurer for BPW Sydney branch, Director of Finance for Business and Professional Women Australia and Treasurer for Meditation HQ charity. Suzan believes Palestinian Christians have a duty to seek a peaceful solution to the Palestinian cause and envisions PCiA as a platform for their voices of peace in Australia.
Professor Bassam Dally
(Vice President)
Bassam Dally, born in Kufir Yassif near Akka, is a university professor of engineering with a PhD in Combustion Science from the University of Sydney. He is listed in the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University for 2021. Bassam has been active in Palestine-related activities in Australia for 16 years, including work with APAN, AFOPA, and Glimmer of Hope, and established the annual Edward Said Memorial Lecture in Adelaide. Bassam believes all Palestinian communities should assert their connection to Palestine and celebrate their heritage. His vision for PCiA is to create a home for Palestinian Christians in Australia, strengthen cultural ties, and support the Palestinian cause in Australia.
Costandi Bastoli
(Community Director – Sydney)
Costandi Bastoli, born in Jerusalem, lived there for 21 years before migrating to Australia in 1969. He studied at College des Frere and became an Associate of the Australian Insurance Institute. In 1972, he joined the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement and co-founded the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community in 1979. With 40+ years in Christian ministry across Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines, Costandi has been a director of Harvest Journeys since 1991, leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land. He believes all Christians, especially Palestinian Christians, should serve as ambassadors for Christ.
Fadi Qunqar
(Community Director – Melbourne)
Fadi Qunqar, born in Melbourne in 1992 to Palestinian parents from Beit Jala, has strong ties to his homeland, with most of his family still living there. He previously worked for Arabic Welfare in Victoria, assisting newly arrived refugees, and now serves as a Neighbourhood Partner for the City of Melbourne, overseeing community and business engagement in Docklands and Fishermans Bend. Fadi holds onto his Palestinian passport as a connection to his heritage and has joined PCiA to raise awareness of Palestinian Christians in Australia and create a gathering space for young Palestinian Christians.
Jason Damouni
(Secretary and Director of Communication)
Jason Christopher Damouni, a Palestinian Christian from the village of Al-Damoun, now resides in Perth. Born in New York, his grandparents were displaced during the 1948 Nakba and never returned. Jason founded Trivium Energy Pty Ltd in 2014, working as an entrepreneur in the renewable energy sector in Australia, the Maldives, and Saudi Arabia. As a Subdeacon in his local Melkite Catholic Church, Jason is a passionate advocate for Palestinian self-determination. He frequently speaks on political podcasts, forums, and in newspapers, offering the Palestinian Christian perspective.
Imad Atallah
(A Board Member)
Imad Atallah, born in Beirut to Palestinian parents from Jaffa, migrated to Australia in 2008. His grandparents are refugees who lost their homes in the 1948 Nakba. Imad holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from the Lebanese American University and a Master of eCommerce from Griffith University in Brisbane. With a strong interest in technology, he has completed various IT certifications and works in IT support, with past experience as an IT Manager and System Administrator. Imad joined PCiA to help Palestinians, especially Palestinian Christians, reconnect with their roots. He believes in the eventual triumph of justice and the importance of never losing hope.
Bishop George Browning
(PCIA Patron)
George Browning served as the Bishop of Canberra Goulburn from 1993 to 2008. He was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2000 for services to the community and a Doctor of Letters honoris causa in 2007 for his contributions to education. In 2015, he received a Doctor of Philosophy for his thesis Sabbath and the Common Good, which reflected his years as the inaugural convener of the Anglican Communion Environment Network. Browning’s support for Palestine began in the 1980s after assisting Palestinian theological students in Australia. He has visited Palestine several times, leading pilgrimages for Australian youth. He served as President of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network from 2013 to 2022 and is now its patron.