As part of its efforts to strengthen the spirit of cooperation and partnership in media and ecclesiastical work, and to embody the mission of media in serving humanity, the Church, and society, the Middle East Council of Churches honored the Antiochian Orthodox Media Center in Balamand in recognition of its role in conveying the message of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, highlighting its spiritual, humanitarian, and national presence, and covering its activities and mission in Lebanon and throughout the East.

In this context, Lea Adel Maamary, the Council’s Media and Church Relations Coordinator, presented a commemorative shield on behalf of the Council’s Secretary General, Professor Michel Abs, and her colleagues at the General Secretariat in Beirut, to Mrs. Nancy Najjar, Executive Director of the Antiochian Orthodox Media Center, as well as to the members of the Center’s media team.

This recognition underscores the importance of cooperation between ecclesiastical and media institutions and the need to unite efforts in support of responsible media that upholds the values of love, dialogue, and openness, and contributes to building bridges of communication between Churches and the various components of society.

During His Meeting with the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and a Delegation of Researchers Participating in the Conference “Countering Hate Speech to Promote Human Dignity and Coexistence” - Cairo

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, emphasized during his meeting with the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, and a delegation of researchers participating in the conference “Countering Hate Speech to Promote Human Dignity and Coexistence” - Cairo:

“Love is the very foundation of human existence, and a person does not truly feel their humanity unless they practice love.”

His Holiness noted that sowing love is a fundamental building block, for Heaven is love, God is love, and life cannot endure without love.

He explained that there are five dimensions to sowing love:

1. Sowing Love for God

Sow love for God, the Almighty. Whoever looks to God will sow successfully.

2. Sowing Love for Creation and the Environment

Sow love for creation, the environment, and animals. The Nile is suffering, and everything around us needs our love and care.

When a child learns to pick up litter from the ground and protect the environment, that child will also learn to remove sin from their heart.

God created the village, while human beings created the city. Therefore, we must love the earth and preserve it…

A Report Via “ME Sat” Channel

A Report Via “ME Sat” Channel

As part of its efforts to strengthen joint cooperation and promote the values of love and communication, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) honored representatives of its media partners in Egypt, in recognition of their role in supporting its mission, highlighting its activities and initiatives, and contributing to the promotion of a culture of dialogue and rapprochement among members of the society.

This recognition reflects the Middle East Council of Churches’ belief in the importance of the media as a key partner in conveying messages of love and peace, highlighting initiatives that foster a spirit of cooperation and respect for diversity.

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the partner media outlets in following the Council’s activities and covering its events. He emphasized that the relationship between Church institutions and the media is based on partnership, cooperation, and service to people and society.

Father Dr. Rifat Bader, Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media and Member of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), spoke during the conference “Countering Hate Speech to Promote Human Dignity and Coexistence” about the need to disarm discourse in today’s world. He stressed that weapons are no longer confined to wars and conventional arms. Words and digital platforms themselves can become tools of harm, exclusion, and hatred.

Father Bader said:

“Disarmament in today’s world is not limited to battlefields and conventional weapons. Words and digital platforms can also become weaponized. A word can kill, a gesture can hurt, and even digital blocking and exclusion can become tools of rejection rather than dialogue. Therefore, as Pope Leo XIV calls for, we need disarmed media, as well as disarmed modern technologies and artificial intelligence, that is, gentle tools that serve affection, dialogue, human connection, and mutual understanding among people.”

And a Commemorative Shield Presented by MECC to His Holiness’ Media Office

From the heart of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Abbassia - Cairo, and within the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, conducted a media interview with His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, as part of the “Leaders and Positions” program.

At St. Mark’s Cathedral, which is closely connected to the history of the Coptic Church and the collective memory of the Egyptian people, Journalist Maamary raised with His Holiness a many issues of concern to citizens, families, youth, and the Church. She also explored his vision for the future of the Church, its mission in Egypt and the diaspora, and its role in promoting love, peace, and national unity.

She also listened to His Holiness’ views on various issues brought by the new era, foremost among them the impact of social media and digital media on individuals, ways of protecting younger generations from rumors and polarization, and how the Church can preserve its identity and faith while remaining open to the wider world.

“Countering Hate Speech to Promote Human Dignity and Coexistence”

A Report Via “ME Sat” Channel

Conference on “Countering Hate Speech to Promote Human Dignity and Coexistence”

A Report Via "Extra News" Channel

Within the framework of constructive media cooperation and the strong partnership between the media department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and its various media partners, joint media efforts play an important role in following and covering the Conference on Hate Speech. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to highlighting issues of concern to our societies while promoting a culture of dialogue, respect, and acceptance of others.

This partnership has been demonstrated through close cooperation and coordination among media teams across all aspects of the coverage. It includes preparing news stories and press reports, covering the conference’s key sessions and discussions, providing photo and video coverage and documenting its activities, as well as conducting interviews with participants and speakers to highlight their views and perspectives on hate speech and ways to counter it.

This cooperation underscores the fact that the media, through its various institutions and platforms, is an essential partner in disseminating positive messages and strengthening communication among the different components of society, particularly on issues that require collective efforts and the creation of spaces for dialogue and mutual understanding.