A meeting of representatives of Christian and Islamic communities to announce the “Document of Peace and Brotherhood”

The Antonine Technical Institute of Dekwaneh and the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Islamic Dialogue organized a meeting on the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Coexistence” at the Institute in Dekwaneh, attended by Bishop Simaan Atallah, Director of the Catholic Center for Information, Father Abdo Buxem, and General Director of the Antonine Maronite Order, Father Bechara Elia. Representing the Chairman of the Episcopal Committee for Christian-Islamic Dialogue, Bishop Charles Murad, representing the Sheikh of the Druze Unitarian sect, Sami Abi Al-Munna, Sheikh Amer Zein Al-Din, Sheikh Ali Al-Hussein, representing the Sunni sect in Lebanon, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Laqis, representing the Mufti of Jbeil, Sheikh Ghassan Al-Laqis, Dr. Hani Khadr, representing the Egyptian Ambassador. Alaa Moussa, Kuwaiti Cultural Attaché Abdullah Al-Asousi, represented by the Kuwaiti Ambassador Abdul-Al Al-Qenaei, Sheikh Sami Abu Dhiyab, President of the Al-Sharq Club for Interfaith Dialogue Elie Al-Sarghani, Advisor to the President of the Arab Volunteer Union Charbel Qabalan, and diplomatic, security, political, media and social figures.

After the Lebanese national anthem, the moderator of the media event, Ricardo Karam, delivered a speech in which he said: “Here at the Antonine Technical Institute, which does not rest in its administrative and academic efforts and its permanent initiatives to raise culture and civilization over manifestations of ignorance and deviation. We are not here to add a few words to words and documents that were issued previously, but the de facto events at home and in the region came to put them aside or nullify their effectiveness, but rather to declare a joint Christian-Islamic will from Lebanon to the Arab world, the East and the world, and to put a finger on what follows the scenes of wars, destruction and blood in Gaza, and to answer the question. Broad question: What peace do we want?

He added: “Peace has always been a demand for everyone, and the speeches of presidents, symbols, leaders, and foreign ministers of countries have always been prominent, and today more than ever, but geopolitical interests remain stronger than the actual will of the people and elites to build the future.”

He continued: “In a time of sterile conflicts, calls for divorce, and tightening the cords of divisions, we come today to write, in Arabic calligraphy, the Declaration of Human Fraternity, which represents the brotherhood of sects and the unity of the projects of groups working to create a stable space for global peace in this part of the Middle East.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, the attendees issued the following recommendations:

“First: The necessity of adopting a constructive and frank fraternal dialogue between all components of the Lebanese Islamic and Christian sects to confirm commitment to human and religious values ​​and respect for the formula of coexistence so that peace and harmony among the peoples of the earth can return to Lebanon and the world.

Second: Considering the Document on Human Fraternity as a roadmap for making peace between countries and peoples and building it on truth, freedom, justice, respect for others, promoting dialogue, and rejecting wars and conflicts to secure human dignity and rights, and protect nature and the environment.

Third: Calling on spiritual, political, and constitutional authorities, people of good will, and people of thought to detail what is stated in this document with practical initiatives that all those who work to serve the public good and citizenship participate in creating.

Fourth: I urge all educational institutions, universities, cultural centers, and associations concerned with just human issues, raising their members on the values ​​of brotherhood, and including the activities included in this document, with the aim of promoting love and building a good citizen and a better society.

Fifth: Expressing our denunciation of the attacks taking place against our people in southern Lebanon, Gaza, Palestine and the Holy Lands, and regretting the silence of the international community regarding these violations and the wars and massacres taking place here and there, which are not consistent with the principles of this document that was signed on February 4, 2021 by His Holiness. Pope Francis and Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb agreed to it and many peace lovers adopted it.

Sixth: The consensus of those present on the necessity, inevitability, and priority of electing a president for the Lebanese Republic as soon as possible because of its importance for the completion and regularity of educational institutions.

At the end, honorary shields were distributed to the attendees and a book about the document entitled The Document on Human Fraternity, an interpretive reading by Father Bechara Elia, and then the Arabic calligraphy exhibition was opened at the institute.