MECC Participated in the “Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom”

Rev. Badr: “Persecutions against all religions, especially Christians, have reached an unacceptable level”

For the second year in a row, the MECC, represented by Rev. Dr. Habib Badr, President of the National Evangelical Union in Lebanon and of the MECC Evangelical Family, participated in the “Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom” conference, which was organized by the US Department of State at its headquarters in Washington DC.

The conference, which took place from 15 to 18 July 2019, brought together more than 1,000 people from 114 countries, and was followed by a special meeting of some 80 foreign ministers from around the world.

For his part, Rev. Dr. Badr made a special plea during all his contacts, particularly with Bishop Phillip Mounstephen, the Anglican Primate of Truro, insisting that MECC should be seen and treated as the main interlocutor when discussing any issues related to the Christians of the Middle East, or when making decisions regarding their present and future existence.

Interviewed by Al Hurra TV, Rev. Dr. Badr said that “persecutions over the world against all religions, especially Christians, have reached an unacceptable level”. He added “This is why the actions mentioned by the Religious Freedom Ambassador Sam Brownback, are very much needed among the people and the religious and political leadership”.

After his return to Lebanon, Rev. Dr. Badr will follow up the results of the conference with the MECC three Presidents and its Secretary General. Furthermore, Rev. Badr will present his view on a report prepared by the Bishop Mounstephen, in collaboration with Sir Charles Hoare. The report is an evaluation of the role and actions of the British Foreign Office when dealing with the persecution of Christians of the Middle East. In this regard, the report which was published a few weeks ago, shall be discussed during the MECC Presidents Meeting, by the end of August 2019.

Accordingly, Rev. Dr. Badr will pursue further all the necessary steps that MECC must take, to insure its active and decisive participation in the outcome and eventual actions of the report, as well as those of the UK government and any other relevant Government, regarding the present and the future of Christians in the Middle East.