“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” — II Corinthians 1:3

While 2025 was a deeply painful year in the Middle East, as war and violence continued in Gaza and the West Bank, our family has continued to look on the Lord as our source of comfort, strength, and hope. Even amid these hardships, we have much to be thankful for—both individually and as families, we look forward with expectation to the coming year. This was especially evident during recent family gatherings that included almost the entire family.

One of the most significant milestones of the past year came on its final day, when Daoud fulfilled a long held goal: retiring from the day-to-day management of the radio station and NGO he has led for a quarter of a century. The decision, publicly announced during AmmanNet’s 25th anniversary celebration and documented in Daoud’s latest book on the history of the world’s first internet radio station, took many by surprise. Daoud is now free from daily management responsibilities, while continuing his writing and devoting time to his new project, Milhilard.org, an online (and seasonal print) platform about—and for – Christians in Palestine and Jordan.

Daoud’s second book, State of Palestine Now, is out in Italian in addition to English, Spanish, German, and French. Daoud visited Korea in October to join in celebrating the appointment of his friend Rev. Botrus Mansour, as the new Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance.

Salam has continued in her ministry at Alliance Academy-Jordan (AAJ). Her leadership and dedication to AAJ’s mission are at the heart of what she is committed to accomplish at the school. See the latest newsletter of AAJ.

Tamara and Alaa are doing well with their children, Yasmeen, Dalia, and Ameer. Ameer is growing quickly and has begun repeating words. Yasmeen recently performed in her school Christmas carol, and the family enjoyed her performance very much.

The family also praises the Lord for recent medical tests confirming that Dalia no longer has allergies to sesame or peanuts, allowing everyone to enjoy hummus and falafel without any concern. Alaa was recently promoted at Bethlehem Bible College, to serve as Vice Academic Dean, in addition to lecturing in the Biblical Studies and Tour Guide departments. Tamara has also reached an exciting milestone by successfully earning her MA degree in Counseling —Mabrouk!

Bishara and Zohra, while busy with Bishos and Le Souk, joyfully announced that they are expecting a baby sister for baby Daoud, God willing, next May. In addition, Zohra was naturalized as a U.S. citizen, which will allow the family to visit Palestine together. Baby Daoud is no longer a baby, according to himself, he is “a big boy now”.

He is very happy at his new daycare, and he loves sports and wants to play soccer and swim. He also loves his little sister, who hasn’t been born yet; he asks about her every day.

At the beginning of Last Year, Le Souk had a video of Dubai chocolate go viral. Bishara & Zohra were swamped in a good way, and they needed all hands on deck for about one month, family and friends stepped in to help them. This also helped both Bishos and Le Souk grow, and as a result, they have some surprises for the year 2026.

Samuel and Tania are planning to visit the U.S. this spring, to take a break from their busy routine in Kufr Aqab and Ramallah, as Samuel is currently running his demanding family business, while Tania continues to travel with her work frequently.

In August Jason and Dina celebrated their first wedding anniversary. The celebrations included a visit to Austria along with Salam and Daoud. In academic news, Harvard University announced in 2025 that Dina was a co-winner of the Sears Prize, awarded for the highest academic achievement during her second year at Harvard Law School.

Dina will begin a clerkship with a U.S. federal judge after graduating in May 2026. Jason and Dina are also planning to spend the summer of 2026 in Amman before moving to New York.

As we enter 2026, we wish you a New Year filled with health, peace, purpose, and God’s abundant grace. May the coming year draw us all closer to Christ and to one another.

With love and prayers,

Daoud & Salam Kuttab

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, Offspring a reward from Him” Psalms 127:3

Our youngest daughter Dina, and Jason Kerkvliet were the focus of three public events in 2024 culminating in the two tying the knot. An engagement in New Jersey, USA in April an August wedding in Amman, Jordan, and a wedding blessing in St Thomas, Canada in December.

Following the April engagement, the family celebrated baby Daoud Bishara Kuttab’s first birthday and grandpa Daoud’s 69th birthday at Bishara’s Philadelphia home.

This was followed by a big wedding in Amman on August 10th. Salam with help from Rania (wife of Danny Kuttab) went all out planning the pre-wedding hafleh at our Deir Ghbar home.

Daoud took the men to a Turkish bath and a well-attended post-wedding visit to Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea provided many visitors with a rare cultural extravagance. A wedding blessing followed in St. Thomas Canada December 21st.

In addition to weddings and engagements Daoud and Salam’s Amman home was a stopover for family and friends to and from Palestine. Dina Awad-Wong, whose last visit was weeks before the passing of our loving cousin Bishara’s wife Salwa whom Daoud saw on a visit to Beit Jala weeks before her passing away in July. Sami also stopped by on his way to Sir Lanka for a badly needed and well-earned vacation.

Salam’s work as director general of the Alliance Academy Jordan (AAJ) consumed all her waking hours except for three weeks late in July and early August.

She and her team put extensive work into the process, which led to the accreditation of the American High School diploma, which added a new option to the British curriculum they have been offering. She was happy when auditors validating their work asked her and her staff the question: What is your secret, about the amazing work that is taking place at the school which combines high-level education available to all children including children with disabilities in an inclusive wholesome environment.

Daoud’s radio station moved to a new location in Dahiat al Rashid which was convenient for the station and the staff but farther from Daoud’s daily trip. His new electric Hyundai Kona car and a selection of audiobooks have made the trip easier.

As Salam was busy with school graduations and wedding preparations Daoud decided to write a book State of Palestine NOW, which he self-published on Amazon and is translating into several languages (German, French, and Spanish) with possibly Hebrew and Arabic versions later on. Please give Daoud’s book stars and if you can write a short review.

Tamara and Alaa’s girls, Yasmeen and Dalia were flower girls at both weddings. Along with Qasasfa’s newborn Ameer also spent time with us before the two weddings. Ameer is a very easygoing baby; he is always ready to go wherever the family goes. His first word was “Mama,” much to Tamara’s pleasure. He has the cutest crawl, crawling on one knee and using his foot to push the other side. He has been walking around furniture, giving kisses, waving to everyone, and saying “bye” as a warning anytime he wants to go up the stairs on their recent trip to the USA. Dalia loves her third-grade teacher and has been making new friends at school. She has a strong memory when it comes to what she learns in school. She comes back already knowing how to do all her homework and already memorized all her tests from class.

Yasmeen has been enjoying fifth grade. She is dedicated to learning and doing well at school. Her favorite subjects are Math and Spelling. She loves school most so she can spend time with her best friend. This year, she had midterms for the first time and showed perseverance in studying ahead of time for most subjects. Tamara has decided to stay home and care for Ameer and the family. She has become the family driver, taking the girls back and forth to school, a 40-minute drive each way. She’s also working on finishing the master’s degree she started four years ago and hopes to finish it in the next two years. Alaa has continued to work at the Bible college, adding new evening classes this year. He has enjoyed teaching various subject teachers more about the Bible and ancient history.

Tania’s boys Saleem and Karam were ring boys at the weddings and along with their father Samuel looked good in the red tarboosh hat at Amman’s wedding’s final indoor dance. Tania’s work with GIZ and Samuel’s produce work have kept them busy but their visits to Amman were exceptionally happy and joyful to grandparents and grandkids alike.

Bishara, Zohra, and baby Daoud were also able to attend the Amman wedding after a long absence.

It was Zohra and Baby Daoud’s first visit to Jordan. After the wedding, Zohra and baby Daoud went to see her family in Algiers while Bishara was able to visit Palestine after years of absence. 2024 ended with a family event in Canada

and a larger Kuttab family get-together at Danny and Rania’s New Jersey home for New Year’s.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New 2025 year to all

“Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:14