Hariri Says Pope’s Visit to Boost Lebanon’s Image as Message of Diversity
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Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed on Saturday that the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Lebanon is a major development that will bolster Lebanon’s image as a message of diversity.
“The pope’s visit is a sign for Lebanon the message, as described by late Pope Jean Paul II,” Hariri said in a statement issued by his press office.
Pope Benedict XVI is due to visit Lebanon from September 14-16 to bring a message of peace and call for greater respect for religious pluralism.
Hariri praised the visit saying: “Wherever the Pope arrives he brings with him the message of affection and peace, which applies to Lebanon, the land of civilization and coexistence, the Lebanon of equity, diversity, and freedom, where there is no place for a minority or a majority.”
“The Muslims are keen to preserve the Christians' presence in the country, as they have built together a common culture, the success of the visit will emphasize the importance of democracy that became a safe haven for all the peoples of the region,” the statement said.
Hariri pointed out that it’s a “visit of love and blessing for Lebanon and the Lebanese.”
The trip will mark the second to the region for Benedict, who visited Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories in 2009.
01 September 2012, 15:56
24
Thanks Saad, we definitely need positive messages in these turbulent days. May God bless you and bless everyone that means good to our country. We need it more than ever.
01 September 2012, 19:55
00
Lebanon's history is littered with incidents of tension between Christians and Muslims going back to the days of Fakhr el dine. The past 40 years have been the ugliest years in Lebanon's history. What happened during those years? Did we forget our common culture? The Lebanese currently coexist in segregated cities, towns and villages. "East Beirut" is still predominantly Christian. Lebanese people still elect politicians that represent their sects. Confessionalism divides the country along sectarians lines. Religious identity still supersedes the Lebanese identity. Multiculturalism and pluralism are are hip words that are thrown around. But the Lebanese are far from practicing them.
01 September 2012, 21:11
00
In a multicultural pluralistic society people don't have to justify their existence. They certainly don't use laws to divide the seats of power to ensure their equality. In a pluralistic society, all people thrive not just a certain sect or group that happens to be in power. In a pluralistic society, differences are celebrated not persecuted. And although people have cultural differences, they share common core values like zero tolerance for corruption, respect for civil liberties and the rule of law, prosperity for all by providing equal access to quality education. In a pluralistic society, the word "shabebnah" is not the minds of the people. In a pluralistic society, there is no Aoun and Berri bickering over how many Christians should be employed at EDL. In a pluralistic society, people practice what they preach.
02 September 2012, 08:39
13
karim, Wahabism is an extremist tendency in saudi arabia. Saad flirted with wahabism and with bandar at one point when he got fed up with hezb. But when he did, he got kicked out of gvt, and he came around. Rafic (RIP) and saad are moderates in their view of Lebanon, whatever you say. They are sunni supremacist, thinking that sunnis should rule the country. They did steal property from downtown owners, they did take on huge debts to lebanon, yes. But they did a lot of good for the lebanese especially for the sunni, sent loads of people to college. But they are not wahabists. They are not terrorists, and they like lebanon. What saad needs, is to have his wings cut, (which they are), and for him to understand that other lebanese communities are not their employees.
02 September 2012, 19:12
01
How nice is it that Saudi Arabian blessed the blessed pope's arrival to Lebanon. We are happy to welcome a saudi acceptance for the bishop of Rome coming to Lebanon. He is an example of peace and respect to all peoples in the levant... Especially those being pressured and persecucuted by the "Syrian rebels". The people of the levant, led by the people of lebanon are an example of diversity, and we will not be intimedated by the Syrian rebels threats that they will send christains of syria to Beirut!
