“Momentum”

20-2-2026

This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as well as the Church, Ecumenical, and social events…

This is in addition to the weekly word of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs which is entitled in this issue "Ramadan: One of the Shared Religious Spaces".

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/d53dce0b9385/momentum-mecc-weekly-newsletter.

You can also subscribe to the Momentum Newsletter via the following link:

https://mecc.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=fd3381352a&u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a.

Professor Michel Abs

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

The Ramadan fast began yesterday, coinciding with the Lent season for churches that follow the Western calendar. Those engaged in dialogue and advocates for social cohesion have focused on this coincidence, which often occurs, and have considered it a divine sign to call for solidarity among believers of all religions, or a temporal sign guiding us toward social cohesion, which is periodically shaken due to sectarian conflicts.

Moreover, some have gone further by creating a card that carries symbols of both Christianity and Islam, along with wishes for a blessed fast for followers of both celestial religions.

What matters to us, those working in dialogue and social cohesion, and in connection with shared religious spaces, is to show how the entire society, across all its segments, has adopted the Ramadan fast as a tradition that transcends religion or sect. This blessed religious occasion, which is primarily about self-discipline, reflection, repentance, and giving, has become a moment to bring people together around the tables of the Merciful, confirming community unity through the respect for and sharing of each other’s religious traditions.

The majority of people, regardless of their religious affiliations, live the Ramadan experience. Some invite others to Iftar, while some are invited. They exchange social talks, and many focus on the essence of religion, faith, and fasting, sometimes even comparing fasting between religions. Furthermore, if Iftar is hosted in social institutions, the speeches delivered carry significant values and aspirations, more and more revealing how the social values we live by, which are fundamentally based on religion, are so closely aligned that you would think they come from one single faith.

It is worth noting that many Christian leaders are the ones hosting Ramadan Iftars in honor of their Muslim friends and loved ones, expressing unity in life…

Church and Social Issues at the Center of the Meeting

Former Beirut Governor Engineer Nicolas Saba visited the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, on Thursday, February 18, 2026, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

The meeting was attended by the Coordinator of "Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity" programs at MECC Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and the Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at MECC Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

Many Church and social issues were explored, along with an overview of the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.

In this context, both sides discussed the current situation of the Churches, as well as how to develop their resources and strengthen their role. The attendees also addressed Church housing projects and how to support Church children in this area, especially amidst the worsening living conditions.

Prepared and Presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Produced by MECC

What Are the Details?

مرصد فلسطين - تقرير الجمعة 20 شباط/ فبراير 20

In light of the worsening humanitarian and social conditions in the region due to the escalation of security operations, the Middle East Council of Churches presents a weekly report entitled "Palestine Monitor," which includes the latest developments in Palestine, especially amid the deteriorating living, social, and security conditions in the country. Some texts will be in Arabic, and some others in English, depending on the source.

في ظلّ تفاقم الظروف الإنسانيّة والاجتماعيّة في المنطقة جرّاء تصاعد العمليّات الأمنيّة فيها، يقدّم مجلس كنائس الشرق الأوسط تقريرًا أسبوعيًّا بعنوان "مرصد فلسطين" حيث يتضمّن آخر المستجدّات الّتي تشهدها فلسطين خصوصًا وسط تدهور الظروف المعيشيّة والاجتماعيّة والأمنيّة في البلاد. ستكون بعض النصوص باللغة العربية، وبعضها الآخر باللّغة الإنكليزيّة، وذلك حسب المصدر.

As part of the training she organized in Amman on policies of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the Council Senior Human Resources (HR) Officer Mrs. Caroline Haddad, visited the ACT Church of Sweden – MENA Office, which is one of the MECC Partners. She met with the Regional Manager of ACT Church of Sweden’s Regional Office Ms. Maria Lövström, and the team.

During the meeting, Mrs. Haddad provided an overview about the training and its content, particularly regarding the capacity building and skills development of the MECC team in Amman, especially concerning the Council's policies and procedures, which aim to maintain a safe, ethical, respectful, and professional work environment.

Between the MECC Senior HR Officer Mrs. Caroline Haddad

and Member of the DSPR Central Committee at MECC Dr. Farah A. Atallah

Mrs. Caroline Haddad, Senior Human Resources (HR) Officer at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), met with Dr. Farah A. Atallah, Member of the Central Committee of the MECC's Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), as part of her visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to conduct a training, in cooperation with ACT Alliance, on the MECC policies and procedures for its team in its Amman’s Office.

At the beginning, Mrs. Haddad conveyed to Dr. Atallah, the greetings and wishes of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs, and his appreciation for the work of the DSPR in Jordan and its mission to serve human with dignity.

In Cooperation with the International ACT Alliance

As part of developing human capital and broaden the horizons of its staff, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), in cooperation with ACT Alliance, which is one of its partners, organized a training on the MECC policies and procedures. It was conducted by the MECC Senior Human Resources (HR) Officer Mrs. Caroline Haddad and the Global Quality and Accountability Coordinator in ACT Alliance Mr. Rizwan Iqbal.

The training targeted the MECC team in its Amman’s office and took place over two days, February 16-17, 2026, at the Saint Ignatius Academy for Cognitive Innovation, Greek Orthodox Diocese of Jordan.

As well as, the course was held in the presence of the MENA Regional Representative of "ACT Alliance" Mr. George Majaj, and the Director of the MECC Office in Amman Father Ignatius Khalifeh, who delivered a welcoming speech at the beginning, stressing the importance of capacity building and skills development, and praising the importance of this workshop.

Produced By MECC

Receives the President of the Lebanese Association of Properties Lawyer Andira El-Zouhairi

Discussions Centered on the Humanitarian Situation in the North of Lebanon

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs received the President of the Lebanese Association of Properties Lawyer Andira El-Zouhairi, in the presence of the Coordinator of Media and Church Relations at MECC Journalist Lea Adel Maamary. The visit was held on Wednesday, January 18, 2026, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the humanitarian situation in the country, particularly the ongoing building collapses in Tripoli, North of Lebanon, which have resulted many victims and wounded people. They also discussed practical solutions that could mitigate the impact of this crisis and protect citizens from any danger that might threaten their lives.

Produced by the Middle East Council of Churches

“Ecumenical Horizons” is a weekly program that features spiritual, cultural, intellectual, educational, youth and environmental topics.

Produced By MECC

Under the Auspices of the University's Rector Professor François Boëdec

As part of supporting students and helping them explore the job market in all its sectors, the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut organized a job fair, with the participation of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and various other institutions and organizations, and in the presence of the University’s Rector Professor François Boëdec, Deans of Faculties and Specialists. It was held on Monday, February 16, 2026, in Beirut.

The job fair provided a professional space where students learned about different types of institutions and companies, their fields of work and duties, and explored job opportunities that may suit their specializations and professional future.

The Middle East Council of Churches’ team presented to the students an overview about the MECC work, objectives, and the programs and projects it implements across various Theological, Ecumenical, humanitarian, and media spheres.

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

It is true that several initiatives have sought to strengthen the movement of unity between Churches, but the main goal remains bridging distances between all Church Families while preserving their differences. This diversity characterizes all Churches at different levels such as beliefs, Prayers, and traditions ... As for the resurrection, it is special as each of them celebrates it in different ways that indicate their richness to consolidate faith and remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation and redemption of humanity.

It is necessary to shed light on the traditions of the Evangelical Family, especially during the celebration of Resurrection since it was among the first Churches to call for ecumenical action. It was also one of the founders of the international ecumenical movement through the World Council of Churches and in the East through the Middle East Council of Churches.

So, how do Evangelical Churches celebrate fasting and resurrection? What celebrations do you perform in this annual event? How do you prepare for the Holy Week and the day of Resurrection? All clarifications are explained by Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah from the National Evangelical Church of Beirut, AND Dean of the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut, in an interview with the media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).