Al-Rai Denounces US Anti-Islam Film, Urges UN to Face Religious Insult
Local Editor
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai denounced Thursday the "US anti-Islam film aimed at tarnishing the image of Islam."
Al-Rai also called all concerned parties to stop circulating the film.
In a news conference he held on the eve of Pope Benedict XVI visit to Lebanon, the Patriarch stressed that "the movie not only insults Islam but all the rest of the religions as well."
He further urged the United Nations and the international community to adopt a stern position about any movie that insults religion.
"Unfortunately there are daily offenses for Jesus Christ and today regrettably there are offenses to Islam and its prophet. Offending spiritual values is tantamount to offending God himself," the Patriarch added
As he welcomed the Pope's visit to Lebanon, al-Rai viewed that "this tour is merely a call for the Christians in the Middle East to exist in one partnership with the rest of the people."
"The Pope is coming to Lebanon because he considers this country as a gateway for convergence between Christians and Muslims. Those with good will powers must cast aside their weapons, end the cycle of violence and sit together around a table," al-Rai highlighted.
The Patriarch also commented on the Christian division on electoral law: "Lebanese officials are striving for an electoral law which is different than the 1960 law so that the citizen can elect his representative without any pressure."
"We can't say that the Christians in Lebanon are divided over the electoral law. There are groups which have different opinions and views. When we meet with these groups we find out that they are seeking to find solutions for the differences," he stated.
On the Syrian crisis, he reiterated that "violence and wars are futile," appealing to all sides of the conflict to resort to national dialogue.
He further warned both the Christians and Arabs against serving the interest of foreign powers. "The Christians will continue to exist in this region and their work is not linked to their number but to the nature of work they are doing," al-Rai said.
"But it is really outrageous that we achieve the goals of others on our land," the Patriarch concluded.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai denounced Thursday the "US anti-Islam film aimed at tarnishing the image of Islam."
Al-Rai also called all concerned parties to stop circulating the film.
In a news conference he held on the eve of Pope Benedict XVI visit to Lebanon, the Patriarch stressed that "the movie not only insults Islam but all the rest of the religions as well."
He further urged the United Nations and the international community to adopt a stern position about any movie that insults religion."Unfortunately there are daily offenses for Jesus Christ and today regrettably there are offenses to Islam and its prophet. Offending spiritual values is tantamount to offending God himself," the Patriarch added
As he welcomed the Pope's visit to Lebanon, al-Rai viewed that "this tour is merely a call for the Christians in the Middle East to exist in one partnership with the rest of the people."
"The Pope is coming to Lebanon because he considers this country as a gateway for convergence between Christians and Muslims. Those with good will powers must cast aside their weapons, end the cycle of violence and sit together around a table," al-Rai highlighted.
The Patriarch also commented on the Christian division on electoral law: "Lebanese officials are striving for an electoral law which is different than the 1960 law so that the citizen can elect his representative without any pressure."
"We can't say that the Christians in Lebanon are divided over the electoral law. There are groups which have different opinions and views. When we meet with these groups we find out that they are seeking to find solutions for the differences," he stated.
On the Syrian crisis, he reiterated that "violence and wars are futile," appealing to all sides of the conflict to resort to national dialogue.
He further warned both the Christians and Arabs against serving the interest of foreign powers. "The Christians will continue to exist in this region and their work is not linked to their number but to the nature of work they are doing," al-Rai said.
"But it is really outrageous that we achieve the goals of others on our land," the Patriarch concluded.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org
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