Al-Rahi Urges Lebanese Not to Become Followers of Other Countries
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi vowed on Saturday to echo the same principles of Shiite Imam Moussa al-Sadr, urging the Lebanese to unite and reject being the followers of other countries.
In his visit to Baalbek towns, al-Rahi said he would be “the echoing voice of Imam Moussa al-Sadr.”
Al-Sadr was a charismatic Shiite cleric who disappeared during a trip to Libya more than 30 years ago in a case that many blame on Moammar Gadhafi.
Most of al-Sadr's followers are convinced Gadhafi ordered al-Sadr killed in a dispute over Libyan payments to Lebanese militias. He was last seen on Aug. 31, 1978.
During his trip, al-Rahi urged the Lebanese not to sell their lands, saying “the land is the identity of each person and family.”
“No matter what the reasons are, properties should not be sold,” al-Rahi added.
The patriarch rejected violence and said “God wants us a single family.”
“Let’s overcome our differences and conflicts and … build a beautiful nation,” he added.
Al-Rahi also said he supported all sects without any discrimination, hinting his visit to Baalbek was aimed at honoring all confessions.
17 September 2011, 14:37
13
About time he said something constructive...
Lebanese should start looking inward instead of outward!
17 September 2011, 16:15
07
When AlSadr started his activities in lebanon we all liked him and approved of his unifying message. Then he changed.
Al Sadr was an Iranian cleric implanted by the Shah to control the lebanese shias. Then when the Shah cut him off in 1976 for backing khomeiny who was in exile he became a Libyan agent who was entrusted by Gadhafi with the elimination of Christians from lebanon.
AlRai wants to echo Alsadr principles who was a follower of other countries! Is he asking a Hezbollah crowd not to follow iran? good luck.
17 September 2011, 17:32
01
back to blablabla that means NOTHING, speak up monseigneur...iran..saudi arabia...syria.... the west.... cardinals..imams... sheikhs.. unemployement, or inflation?
i am not against religion AT HOME.
17 September 2011, 19:02
03
we need a christian homeland in the mid east as we do not wish to be part of extermists around us be it jewish or islamic! They are different and we respect that, we expect them to respect our culture.
17 September 2011, 19:05
00
Al-Rahi keep the christians together and keep them supporting lebanon only and that is enough
17 September 2011, 19:11
05
In spite of his selective memory, Al-Rahi sounded more like a politician on a campaign trail.
As a head of the Maronite church, he should be conveying the message of Jesus Christ witch never wavered to suit the ethnicity of his listeners.
17 September 2011, 19:15
06
I think he said enough now, and should consider retiring in a monastery for a while...
17 September 2011, 19:33
60
you see that's why we a taking back the muslim land the christians occupy they cannot be trusted not to sell it but we won't sell it
17 September 2011, 19:40
60
The New World Order Is In The Process Of Total Martial Police And Army State Law Which Is Then Leading To World War 3 And The Billions Dying A Sad Loss Of Lifes Inshallah The 313 Nour'Allah Will Gudie The Rigthious To Freedom Allahu Akbar :)
18 September 2011, 05:31
01
For the love of God (and Christ) stay out of politics and stick to religion. There are enough so called politicians in Lebanon. It appears that u know sweet FA about politics, having said taht moussa assadar was non aligned with any country, considering the circumstances in which he was killed. God bless Lebanon.
18 September 2011, 20:47
01
The new patriarch sounds like Arab leaders of the 1960s: He's full of rhetoric that may sound great at first but that ends up meaning very little in the end. His lack of depth is glaring. His populism is unconvincing and hollow. If he is intent on playing politics, he should hire an image consultant and a speech writer. I don't envy him. He has some very big shoes to fill.
