February 4th, International Day of Human Fraternity!

What Are Its Origins?

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Since 2020, February 4th is no longer just another day, now it represents an international call to end violence and hatred hostile speeches… it is now a day that reminds us of our fraternity no matter our nationality, ethnicity, society or religion… it is an invitation to work towards peace, justice and stability… hoping to live the rest of our days by the command of Jesus Christ “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 34: 13).

The Middle East is the victim of divisions, conflicts and war nowadays ravaging every single one of his countries. The region is in desperate need of promoting dialogue and deepen fraternity relationships among people, from leaders to officials and citizens.

4 February

Produced By MECC

Entitled "We Pray Together,"

Within the "Hot Issues" Program on Al Keraza TV

Prepared and Presented by the MECC Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry

The "Platform of the Word" at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) presents a special episode entitled "Yes, You Are My Brother?"

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 am Beirut Time, live on the MECC platforms
You can participate in the episode via Zoom through the following link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89808128133?pwd=f4EH1uIWkszkpHni7TUB4GQWlLzrh9.1#success

Receives the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs and A Delegation from the Council – Cairo

Cairo, February 1, 2026

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs concluded his visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt in a meeting with His Eminence Bishop Jean-Marie Chami, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchal Vicar General of Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan, at the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate_ Cairo.

Professor Abs was accompanied by a delegation from the Council, including the Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs at MECC Professor Laura Abi Khalil, and the Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at MECC Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

The meeting focused on fruitful topics cantered on the activities, youth, and the Church.

Produced By MECC

At the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Monastery of St. George in Old Cairo

At the conclusion of the Week of Unity at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Monastery of St. George in Old Cairo, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs said: “

Dialogue is a culture ingrained in our hearts and minds, and the Council is a haven for dialogue among the Churches. Hence, the Week of Unity has become an annual tradition, evolving over the years and taken very seriously each year, as the Churches come together and Pray in love and fraternity.

The new Ecumenism is based on service in various fields, and we, as the Middle East Council of Churches, undertake many initiatives that bring the Churches closer together. The Council also aspires to be a center for dialogue and intellectual and cognitive research, in accordance with a new strategy.”

(Part Two)

(Part One)

At the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East_ Virgin Mary Church_ Cairo

Cairo, January 31, 2026

Amidst great affection and warmth, Father Rabban Philip Issa, Priest of the Virgin Mary Syriac Orthodox Church in Cairo, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and a delegation from the Council.

MECC delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

Attendees were also Members of the Church's Media Office Mr. Basil Wassouf, Mr. Mina Moussa, and Mrs. Nevine Salim.

At the outset, a visit to the Church of the Virgin Mary was made. Father Rabban Philip Issa presented a detailed explanation about the Church's history and the various stages it has passed through. He also highlighted the deep-rooted presence of the Syriac people in these lands.

Cairo, January 31, 2026

For the sixth consecutive day, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs continued his visits to the Church and Religious authorities in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and his participation in the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Professor Michel Abs and the Council's delegation visited His Grace Bishop Makary, General Bishop of South Shoubra, at his office in Cairo.

The Council's delegation included Reverend Refaat Fikry, Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

Cairo, January 31, 2026

His Grace Bishop Anba Ermia, General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, received the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs and a delegation from the Council in Cairo, in the presence of Mr. Mina Sleiman, a Researcher at the Coptic Cultural Center.

The delegation included the Associate Secretary General Reverend Refaat Fikry, Coordinator of Dialogue, Social Cohesion, and Human Dignity Programs Professor Laure Abi Khalil, and Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary.

The meeting focused on various social issues of concern to the people of the region, particularly in light of the difficult circumstances they are facing. Discussions also covered diverse topics related to dialogue, human values, and ways to strengthen the bonds of love and fraternity among all segments of society.

Cairo, January 30, 2026

“Youth in the Church are not merely an age group; they are a heart beating with hope and a spirit bearing the good news of tomorrow. In their presence, we see the enthusiasm that enlivens the community, and in their Prayers, we feel a simple yet profound Faith that reminds us that God is always working in young hearts.”

With these words, the Youth Day during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, was held under the title "Christ Fills Us All," at the Evangelical Church in Giza_ Cairo.

The Prayer was presided over by the Pastor of the Evangelical Church in Giza_ Cairo Reverend Dr. Bachir Anwar Noudi, Advisor to the Supreme Committee for Supporting State Institutions.

Attendees were the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Egyptian Council of Churches Reverend Yeshua Yacoub, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Gergis Saleh, Associate Regional Secretary of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) Engineer Moussa Mehany, Dr. Zahi Azar, President of the Ecumenical Institute for the Middle East, Father Fayez Nad, Member of the Priests and Parish Committee at the Egyptian Council of Churches, Father Boutros Fouad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Orthodox Church, Father Youhanna Saad, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and the Priests and Parish Committee on behalf of the Catholic Church, Coordinator of the Dialogue, Cohesion, and Human Dignity Program Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of Church Relations and Media at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Mr. Medhat Fayez, Head of the Ecumenical Committee, Mrs. Marta Fayez, Member of the Women's Committee, Mrs. Noura Edward, Member of the Week of Prayer Committee and Member of the Women's Committee, Gergis Mounir, Member of the Prayer Committee, Nour Behnan, Member of the Prayer Committee, Kyrillos Wahba, Member of the Prayer Committee, and believers.