Muslim-Christian Summit Urges Unity and Nationalistic Rhetoric

Muslim and Christian clergymen, who met at the Beirut Maronite Archbishopric on Tuesday, urged officials in Lebanon to unite and adopt a nationalistic rhetoric.

The leaders of Lebanon’s sects said in a statement following their summit that their meeting should be considered as an example for interfaith meetings in the region.

They urged “officials in Lebanon to be in agreement for the sake of peace and stability in Lebanon and the unity of its people.”

The clergymen also “called for a unified stance and a nationalistic rhetoric at a time when Lebanon and the region are going through these difficult and complicated times.”

The summit was held at the invitation of Beirut Maronite Archbishop Boulos Matar in honor of Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi who is on his second visit to Beirut parishes since he was elected in March last year.

He kicked off his tour on Saturday. The patriarch will preside over a mass at the St. George Cathedral in downtown Beirut on the occasion of St. Maroun Day on Thursday.

Al-Rahi will also travel to Cyprus on a three-day visit on Friday.

All the heads of sects attended the summit except for Grand Mufti Mohammed Rashid Qabbani who tasked the secretary of Dar al-Fatwa, Sheikh Amin al-Kurdi, to represent him because he is recuperating after a surgery in his back.

The patriarch will also travel to Cyprus on a three-day visit on Friday.