The key role played by young people during the transformations in the Arab world throughout the past year was a recurrent theme for the recent World Council of Churches (WCC) Christian-Muslim consultation on “Christian Presence and Witness in the Arab World”.
The consultation, bringing together a number of religious leaders, scholars and young activists Jan. 24-28, was organized by the WCC programmes for Churches in the Middle East and Inter-religious Dialogue and Cooperation in collaboration with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in Antelias, Lebanon.
The participants' passion and longing for political and religious freedom, human dignity and rights, and social and economic justice for all people of the Arab world marked the event.
The importance of equal citizenship for all was reiterated frequently. The politics and relationships between the values of citizenship and its links to religious institutions were debated.
Short but vivid sketches highlighted recent events, problems and signs of hope in a wide range of countries. It was acknowledged that in some parts of the Arab world, Christians and Muslims were afraid of the uncertainties that the future might bring.
However, it was also noted that the people of God must not deal in the currency of fear. It was important that the religions themselves were willing to become part of the process of transformation.
As one participant put it, “We need religious leaders who are willing to play a prophetic role, and to be people of vision and wisdom.”
A number of specific proposals and suggestions were put forward in the final communiqué of the meeting.
This consultation was in one of a series of meetings being held in preparation of a major international ecumenical gathering on the Christian presence in the Middle East. This meeting is being planned by the WCC in partnership with the MECC, and is due to take place in December 2012.
Read the full text of the communiqué
Religious leaders reflect on Christian presence in the Arab world (WCC press release of 27 January 2012)
WCC programme for inter-religious dialogue and cooperation
--Feb. 6, 2012
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