August 2, 2008

BEIRUT, Lebanon – A delegation from the National Council of Churches of USA top leaders visited Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon during the period of July 22-August 2. The delegation was composed of H.E. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian (President of the NCCCUSA), Rev Dr. Mickael Kinnamon (General Secretary of NCCCUSA), and Dr. Peter Makari (Executive Director for Middle East and coordinator of the visit).

The visit aimed at building solidarity with churches in the Middle East as well as learning about their perspectives on coexistence and tolerance, and exchange discussions with Muslim figures. In Amman – Jordan, the delegation met with Archbishop Vendiktos of the Greek Orthodox Church and discussed with him the issue of Christian presence.

The delegation met with His Highness Prince Hassan Bin Talal with whom they went through a variety of global issues. They also met with His Excellency Senator Akal Baltaji, and the director of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith studies Mr. Hassan Abu-Nimah. MECC Director of Amman office Ms. Wafa Gousous facilitated and coordinated the program of the visit in Jordan.

In Damascus, Syria, the highlight of the agenda of visit was the meeting with His Excellency the President of the country Dr. Bachar Al-Assad who welcomed the stand of NCCCUSA with regard to the peace in the Middle East and their opposition to the war in Iraq. The delegation had several meetings with church leaders: His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius Hazim IV of the Greek Orthodox Church, Rev. Botrous Za'our of the Evangelical National Arab Church, H.E. Bishop Armach Nalbidian of the Armenian Orthodox Church, and representatives of His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios Laham of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church.

NCC delegation expressed their solidarity with churches, heard about the witness of the churches in the Middle East, and acknowledged the work of MECC and national churches in supporting Iraqi refugees. The delegation met with high ranking Muslim leaders namely: the Grand Mufti of Syria and the Director of Sheikh Ahmad Kaftaro Centre with whom they exchanged with them issues related to Christian-Muslim relations. MECC General Secretary Mr Guirgis Saleh, Mr. Samer Laham, Director of Damascus office (who facilitated and coordinated the program of visit), and Mr. Razek Siriani, Director of International Ecumenical Relations accompanied the delegation. In Beirut, Lebanon, the delegation met with MECC General Secretary and senior staff and heard from them about MECC activities and mission in the region. The delegation met with church leaders: Rev Dr. Salim Sahyouni (President of the Higher Council of Evangelical Churches in Syria & Lebanon), H.E. Metropolitan Boulos Matar (President of MECC), H.E. Archbishop Elias Aude (Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in Beirut), H.E. Archbishop George Saliba (Archbishop of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Mount Lebanon), H.E. Bishop Nareg Alemezian (representing His Holiness Catholicose Aram I of the Armenian Orthodox Church), and Rev Megredij Karakozian (President of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Church).

In his statement Rev. Dr. Kinnamon welcomed the relations with MECC and churches in the Middle East in building bridges of understanding and solidarity. He affirmed his hope in the effective role that Christians are playing in the region, and that NCCUSA is strongly supporting establishing peace in the Middle East. In this respect, the delegation met also with the Minister of Communication Dr. Tarek Mitri and exchanged with him issues related to Lebanon and the region.

The delegation met with Muslim leaders: the Grand Mufti of Lebanon, the vice president of the Shii'at community, the president of the Druz community. The General Secretary and Rev. Dr. Habib Badr welcomed the delegation at a reception held at the National Evangelical Church of Beirut upon the invitation of MECC where many eminent Christian figures were present. The MECC General Secretary hoped that the bilateral relations between MECC and NCCCUSA will be further developed into joint activities.

Middle East Council of Churches