About Us

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

Palestinian Christians have lived in the Holy Land since Pentecost, maintaining an unbroken connection to their land for over two millennia.

Identity & Resilience

They identify as culturally and ethnically Palestinian, enduring hardship, persecution, and displacement while keeping their roots and identity strong.

Contributions to Society

Palestinian Christians have made significant contributions to the culture, society, and liberation of Palestine, working to raise awareness about their existence.

Call for Support

We seek solidarity from the global community, especially Christian churches in Australia, to support Palestinian liberation and ensure their voice is heard.

Our Believes

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

Compassion

Equality & Justice

Respect for human rights

Tolerance & Reconciliation

Our Board of Directors

Suzan Wahhab

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 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.
Jason Damouni

Jason Damouni

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

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

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

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.
Ramzi Jildeh

Ramzi Jildeh

Membership Director
Ramzi Jildeh, born and raised in Gaza, holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology. After working as a technology project manager in Dubai for ten years, he moved to South Australia to pursue further studies in Counselling and Psychotherapy. He is now nearing the completion of his master’s degree in counselling, bringing a wealth of professional knowledge to his practice. Ramzi is committed to supporting individuals on their mental health journeys with empathy and guidance. He is also actively involved in community service, volunteering with organizations like the Australian Refugees Association (ARA) and various Christian communities. Ramzi sees Palestinian Christians in Australia as a beacon of hope and support, believing in its potential to be a vital resource for the community. Through his experiences, he embodies values of empathy, service, and unity.
Imad Atallah

Imad Atallah

A Board Member
JImad 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.

PCIA Patron

Bishop George Browning

Bishop George Browning

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Over 75 families were supported last year.

All donations are used to support Palestinian Christians in Australia and provide assistance to students.

We work for the community

We are a Palestinian Christian organization in Australia, helping Gazan arrivals, sponsoring students, supporting women-led businesses, and organizing empowering events. All donations directly support Palestinian Christians and vital community programs.

The Palestinian Christian community in Australia (PCIA) is a non-profit organization focused on supporting Palestinian Christians, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering unity within the community.

PCIA provides assistance through community programs, settling new arrivals, sponsoring students, supporting women-led businesses, and organizing educational courses and events, and much more.

Yes, donations to PCIA directly fund programs that assist Palestinian Christians in Australia, such as settlement support, student sponsorship, and empowerment initiatives for women and families.

PCIA organizes community events, educational courses, and programs aimed at fostering cultural connection, providing professional development, and empowering individuals within the Palestinian Christian community. These include mental health sessions, donation drives, teaching traditional arts like Dabke, Tatreez, and other crafts, supporting women, and hosting community gatherings, among many other initiatives.

You can get involved by donating, volunteering, attending community events, supporting initiatives, or becoming a member of PCIA to actively contribute to its mission and work. Contact PCIA for membership details.