Al-Rahi Calls for ‘Christian Spring’: They Should Reject Violence and Bolster Dialogue

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi noted on Thursday that Christians in the Arab world are among the “native” residents of their respective countries in that they have lived there since biblical times, stressing that their practices have become an integral part of the peoples of each state.

He said: “They should not be viewed as minorities, but as native people who have enjoyed equal rights with all others.”

He made his remarks during the opening of a conference on the Arab Spring and the role of Christians of the East.

On the Christians’ role in the Arab Spring, he remarked: “As stipulated by the rulers of Arab countries, the Christians have been loyal to ruling regime … but they, like others, are affected by a country’s political, economic, and security crises.”

“They share the people’s demands for democracy … but they refuse to resort to violence and instead advocate dialogue,” stressed the patriarch.

“Christians do not stand idly by during the Arab revolts, but they have to work hard for peace and achieving comprehensive justice,” al-Rahi said.

“Their Christian identity has not taken precedence over their Arab and national identities,” he noted.

He continued: “As the world awaits the results of the Arab Spring, the Christians must achieve the Christian Spring whereby they will fulfill their role of rejecting violence and work on bolstering dialogue.”

“They should maintain their existence in their countries … and accept democracy in achieving political, social, and economic diversity,” he stated.

“What would Arab culture and society be without Christians, who played a major role in forming them?” he wondered.

Christians are hoping that the Arab Spring would lead to mutual coexistence among the peoples of the region, he added.

They aspire for “the establishment of a civil state that separates religion from the affairs of the state,” he added.

They also aspire for fair representation in rule and that public and central liberties be respected, stressed al-Rahi.

“The freedom of expression and religion must be respected … as it is at the core of Christian culture,” added the patriarch.

“Christians also look forward to the elimination of discrimination and fear of the other,” he continued.

The Arab Spring must also help establish a democratic system that respects the will of the people and is based on the rotation of power, he declared.