It seems that every new year that dawns on the Middle East-as well as on Lebanon too as it is part and parcel of it- is destined to be worse than its predecessors at all levels, political, safety-wise, economic, social and environmental, all of which reflect mounting despair among people constantly living a decline in their standard of life as well as in a decline in the extent of their aspirations and in the prospects to their future.

Therefore, whenever we bid farewell to a year, we wonder to what extent the next year will be worse and at what level.

The year 2021 was just one of the lean years that passed over the greater part of the Middle East, as it was subject for decades to attempts at destruction, dismantling, impoverishment, displacement, and emigration.

Report: April 2022

As the war in Ukraine rages, food and energy prices are increasing in the Middle East and in the rest of the world. If it were not from some reform policies being enacted, the region’s food security would be in worse conditions. However, the region is suffering from inflation and unemployment is still recording substantial numbers. While the conflict in Eastern Europe have yet to simmer down, it is time for the nations of the ME region to enhance cooperation with one another to achieve common good.

Together, Towards a Free, Pluralistic, and Independent Journalism!

In the new issue of the weekly newsletter Momentum issued by the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches the MECC General Secretariat issues its 2021 Annual Report under the title of "Against Wind and Waves: Challenging the Challenges". As for the message of the Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, it was entitled this week “The sea is not a false witness” and came after the incident of the migrant boat that capsized off Tripoli in north Lebanon, with 75 people on board. Noting that around 23 people were missed, as search and rescue operations continue by land and sea, and 6 people have died. The Lebanese army rescued 45 people.

El mar no aceptó ser ni falso testigo ni diablo mudo, así que nos informó de todo lo que sabe.

Nos envió a las víctimas de nuestra violencia política, legislativa y cultural, un pueblo sin vida.

Le suplicaron que escapara a un mañana mejor, huyendo de una sociedad que ha perdido el sentido de la misericordia, la justicia y el deber.

Pero eran demasiado débiles para sus exigencias.

Eran demasiado débiles para cruzar sus caminos y seguir su camino, así que cayeron en medio del camino.

No tiene ninguna culpa el mar, excepto que es cruel.

The sea did not accept to be neither a false witness nor a dumb devil, so he informed us of all that it knows

He sent us the victims of our political, legislative and cultural violence, a lifeless people

They begged him to escape to a better tomorrow, fleeing from a society that has lost the meaning of mercy, justice and duty

But they were too weak for his requirements

They were too weak to cross their paths and go on their way, so they fell in the middle of the road

He has no fault, the sea, except that he is cruel

The General Secretariat of the Middle East Council of Churches issues its annual report for the year 2021 under the title of "Against Wind and Waves: Challenging the Challenges". The report presents the MECC activities and the achievements it has accomplished at various ecumenical, theological and humanitarian levels.

Noting that international challenges and fluctuations occurred during 2021 and cast their shadows on the wounded Middle East, which was affected by the repercussions of these global and regional developments.