Muslim-Christian Summit Calls for Formation of Legal Committee to Protect Religions

A Muslim-Christian spiritual summit held in Bkirki on Monday stressed the need to protect religions against various insults and attacks.

It called in a statement for the need to form a committee of legal experts to devise the appropriate statement that would protect religions.

The participants discussed the anti-Islam film that sparked outrage throughout the Muslim world, Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Lebanon, and the poor economic situation in the country.

The participants condemned the “Innocence of Muslims” film and the violent reactions it created.

They urged the United Nations and Arab League to take the necessary measures that would prevent the abuse of religions and their symbols, warning that the tensions created between Muslims and Christians may lead to strife.

Commenting on the Pope's recent visit to Lebanon, the participants thanked him for his historic trip, saying that it proved that Lebanon is a “secure and open country and the best place to sign the Apostolic Exhortation.”

“The Exhortation stresses the depth of Christian-Muslim ties and Lebanon as an example of peace and cooperation between the two religions,” said the summit statement.

“The pope's visit is a reminder that Lebanon is a space of dialogue of civilizations based on peace and diversity,” it added.

“It is not an open ground for conflicts despite the regional and local developments,” it said.

Pope Benedict XVI visited Lebanon on September 14 on a three-day trip during which he signed the Apostolic Exhortation.

Addressing the economic crisis in Lebanon, the spiritual summit noted that the rise in the public debt, increased unemployment, high cost of living, and spread of poverty will lead to the emergence of extremism and frequency of kidnappings.

It therefore urged the need for the adoption of a socio-economic policy based on a more just tax system.

It also proposed developing deprived regions in Lebanon and creating more job opportunities for fresh graduates.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi had warned in his opening statement at the summit that if the economy collapses then the entire country would collapse. “That's why we should hold consultations.”

He also said that the international community should adopt a resolution that prevents the insult to religions.

The seat of the Maronite church began preparing for the summit several weeks ago after the economic and social conditions began to deteriorate rapidly “amid an official and government silence,” informed sources told An Nahar newspaper Monday.

The latest visit of the Economic Committees to Bkirki was an additional motive to call for the summit to discuss the difficult economic conditions of low and middle income Lebanese at the start of the school year and a few months before the winter season that needs heating material at a time of a sharp rise in petroleum prices.