Video - A Webinar Organized by the Middle East Council of Churches

And A Launching of Monthly Series of Seminars

The Middle East Council of Churches organized a webinar entitled “Palestinians and Liberation from a Christian Stance”, on Friday 29 July 2022, during which experts, specialists and students from many countries of the region participated. In fact, this webinar was the first in a series of seminars that will be organized by MECC on a monthly basis on various topics and current issues, in the framework of the “Human Dignity Project” as part of the Dialogue and Social Cohesion-Social Capital Rehabilitation Programs.

The webinar begun with a general introduction with the moderator Dr. Laure Abi Khalil. Then, the MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs presented an overview on the MECC founding and development, highlighting its goals, role and structure, in addition to the most important programs it implements. Dr. Abs also expressed his point of view on the Palestinian issue, describing the violations of the occupation state as a culture of hypocrisy that contradicts the teachings of the Incarnate Christ.

In the first intervention, the Director of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) at MECC Dr. Bernard Sabella presented the Palestinian “Wakfat Haq” Document, which is, as stated, a ray of hope in the absence of all hope. It focuses on the need to see the image of God in every human being, and stresses that despite the bitter reality, our hope remains in God, so we must reject the sin of occupation. The document also calls for a peaceful and non-violent resistance, and to hold on to roots.

As for the second segment, it revolved around “Jesus Christ from an Identity Perspective”, during which the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Republic of Angola, the researcher, academic and diplomat Dr. Jabra Al Shoumaly, talked about the name of Christ in the identity and the relation between name and identity in Christianity, explaining, as example, how the name of Christ changed from Jesus to Joshua in the Jewish tradition. Dr. Al Shoumaly also highlighted the identity of Christ between Arabic and Western writings.

The third intervention focused on “The Humanitarian Right of Palestinians” with Father Dr. Mitri Jurdaq, who presented the concept of human right which is enshrined in international laws and regulations as a legal and divine right... Then Dr. Jurdaq tackled three basic pillars that the occupying state stole from the Palestinians without hesitation and intentionally, and are the economic right, social right, and political right.

The fourth segment was entitled “Palestinians and Liberation: A Christian Perspective” with the university professor Dr. Christo El Murr, during which he presented misconceptions about some Bible Verses, and stressed the importance of the public work based on the Words of Jesus Christ. As well as, he said that the political work of Christians shouldn’t be isolated and focusing only on Christianism. Dr. El Murr also stressed the need to see the image of Jesus himself in the Palestinians and oppressed people.

The webinar’s commentator was Dr. Chawki Attieh. It ended with a session for discussion among the participants, during which Dr. Michel Abs explained that the seminars which will be held on a monthly basis, constitute a space for intellectuals in the fields of knowledge and enhance the public relations network.