Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 5 to 11 August 2020

After the catastrophic explosion that hit the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on August 4, 2020, causing massive destruction and devastating this city that has always been full of life, the Middle East Council of Churches’ regional offices in Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, in addition to several international organizations, expressed their sympathy and solidarity with the Lebanese people through letters of condolence addressed to the General Secretariat of the council at its headquarters in Beirut.

After the Beirut explosion that devastated the capital, many regional organizations have expressed their compassion and solidarity with the Lebanese people, sending condolence messages to the MECC General Secretariat at its HQ in Beirut.

In the wake of a tragic explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, the World Council of Churches (WCC) sent condolences and called for prayers for those who lost loves ones, for the injured, and for the ongoing work of the rescue teams. In a letter addressed to the member churches in Lebanon and the Middle East Council of Churches, WCC interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca expressed deep compassion and solidarity on behalf of the global fellowship.

Dear Secretary General Dr Bechealany,

We stand in fraternal solidarity with the people of Beirut in the aftermath of the devastating explosions that hit the city yesterday and caused so many victims and extensive damage. This terrible incident is an additional challenge in a sensitive time of already deep crisis.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 27 July to 4 August 2020

The Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) published a new issue of its periodic magazine, “Al-Muntada”, in July 2020, in Arabic and English. The issue focuses on two main topics: Jerusalem and the Palestinian refugees’ right of return, and the Middle East region’s approach in facing the Coronavirus pandemic.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 21 to 28 July 2020

Religious leaders from Indigenous, Jewish, Hindu, Zoroastrian, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Sikh, and Bahá'í traditions are raising their “voices and hands” as one “to urge for mercy and respect towards one another” in response to the Hagia Sofia situation.

Youth are a key pillar in shaping the future

As part of the “Kairos Middle East Towards Churches Global Compact” process, the Theological and Ecumenical Department (TED) of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized the first youth consultation seminar on the 11th of July 2020, at the St Augustine center in Kafra – Ain Saade, Lebanon.

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Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 15 to 21 July 2020

Youth are a key pillar in shaping the future

As part of the “Kairos Middle East Towards Churches Global Compact” process, the Theological and Ecumenical Department (TED) of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) organized the first youth consultation seminar on the 11th of July 2020, at the St Augustine center in Kafra – Ain Saade, Lebanon.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 7 to 14 July 2020

Following the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's signature on the Turskish Supreme Court’s decision to transform the Hagia Sophia Church into a mosque, the Middle East Council of Churches issued a statement through its General Secretariat considering that this decision is an assault on religious freedom; the freedom that has become the cornerstone in global consciousness and that is protected by international laws.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 30 June to 7 July 2020

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 22 to 30 June 2020

“Working together despite the distance”

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Online meetings gathering the communication directors of regional ecumenical organizations (REOs) are ongoing at the invitation of the Communication Department of the World Council of Churches (WCC), noting that the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is taking part in those meetings. In the last virtual meeting, the participants discussed the situation imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic and its repercussions on each continent they represent, in addition to common issues and concerns.

Syria and Lebanon

Humanitarian Update

Reporting period: from 15 to 23 June 2020

As we believe that life is stronger and since our hope in our Lord Jesus Christ never dies, the heart of the Middle East Council of Churches’ Head Office in Beirut is beating again after almost 3 months of quarantine during which MECC team worked from home due to the precautionary measures imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.