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"Migration is a human concern, not a Muslim or a Christian one, and therefore Christians and Muslims must act on it together." Representatives of Lebanon's six most numerous faith communities shared this view as the Public Hearing on Migration and the Changing Ecclesial Landscape was officially opened in Beirut on April 14.
Representatives of the Druze, Shi'ite and Sunni Muslim communities joined their words of welcome to those from Metropolitans of the Maronite (Catholic) Church and the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch as well as Catholicos Aram I, head of the Armenian Orthodox Church (See of Cilicia), who hosts the hearing.
Both Muslim and Christian leaders stressed that Lebanon with its diverse religions not merely coexisting but "living together under one roof" has a message for those countries who struggle with the diversity that accompanies immigration. They also warned: "Those who speak of a clash of civilizations are setting a trap for both Christians and Muslims - we must be vigilant."
The Public Hearing on Migration and the Changing Ecclesial Landscape currently taking place in Lebanon is the first in a series of hearings on the topic which are to take place over the next years in the different regions of the world. It will be followed by a 2-day meeting of the Global Ecumenical Network on Migration (GEM), which brings together regional ecumenical organizations, churches and Christian agencies working on the topic around the world.
Both the public hearing and the GEM meeting are co-organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).
Speakers at the opening reception were:
- Mr Guirguis Saleh, general secretary, MECC
- Metropolitan George Khodr, Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch; chairman MECC Commission on Faith and Unity
- Sheikh Sami-Abou El Mouna, Druze community
- Metropolitan Dr Boulos Matar, Maronite Church; president, MECC
- Al Jaafari Al SheikhAhmad Abdel Amir Kabalan, Shi'ite community
- Mr Muhamad Summak, Sunni community
- Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary, WCC
- Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
- Rev. Christopher Ferguson, WCC representative to the United Nations
More information on the Global Ecumenical Network on Migration
Middle East Council of Churches
WCC member churches in Lebanon
Media contact in Beirut: Middle East Council of Churches +961-1-353938; +961-1-344896; +961-1-346899
