From Amman, a "Charter" for the rights and protection of Christians in Arab countries
Amman (AsiaNews) - Under the patronage of the
Jordanian Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies (Riifs), in collaboration with
the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo and the Mennonite Central Committee,
Christian and Muslim, bishops and scholars have discussed the situation of Christians
in the Middle East, in light of "current changes" and the upheavals
caused by the Arab Spring. Starting
from the question "Christianity in the East: where to now?" on March 12
and 13 in
Amman - Jordan's capital - lay and religious from Syria, Lebanon, Palestine,
Iraq, Egypt, Sudan, Iran and Jordan have outlined points of common interest and
divergence to safeguard the presence of the religious minority in the Arab
Muslim-majority nations.
Professor
Kamel Abu Jaber, Director of Riifs, opened the roundtable discussions emphasizing
the importance of the current "context" in the Middle
East. Afterwards,
His Eminence Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, Metropolitan of Aleppo, on behalf
of the Syrian-Orthodox
Church focused attention
on the "crucial problem", the exodus of Christians from countries in the
region for fear of conflict, violence and persecution. He
also added that the religious minority are denied rights of "citizenship
and equality" in some Arab nations.
In
the past two days the meeting was also addressed by Jordanian Prince Hassan bin
Talal, who explained that "the Christians are in every respect Arabs, and
are the pioneers of Arab thought and revival." He
also added that "they are authentic and genuine" citizens "of
their countries." For
this, he concludes, "cooperation between Christians and Muslims" should
be increased for the good of our nations.
And
it is the "active" Christian participation in and contribution to the
growth of Arab nations the key repeatedly stressed by the speakers. Plus
the need for greater collaboration between the two sides, together with
enhanced visibility in the media, in order to strengthen the "awareness of
the importance of the Christian presence in Arab societies."
At
the end of the meetings, the attendees drafted a final document of guidelines for
future work. Among
these, the birth of a "committee" that will help achieve the
objectives including - among others - Professor Kamel Abu Jaber, Jordan, the
Syrian Metropolitan Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, the Muslim scholar Ali
Muhafza Jordanian and Archbishop of
Kirkuk, Archbishop Louis Sako.
Finally,
the Islamic-Christian leaders called for the effective implementation of the
document (see AsiaNews 16/01/2012, Al-Azhar
in defense of democracy and religious freedom)
outlined by the Egyptian Al-Azhar University, based on principles of freedom,
respect for human rights, equality between citizens, without discrimination of
race or creed. Desire
was expressed for a meeting - under the leadership of Al-Azhar - designed to
consolidate and strengthen cooperation in the future. In
this sense, Prince Ibn Talal of Jordan
called for an " Arab Social Charter" regulating freedom and rights, by
implementing the principles of social justice, human dignity and equality
between citizens of one State.
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18/04/2018 20:18
04/11/2004
