Islam listens too

"The Pope’s visit to Lebanon will have positive repercussions. This visit, despite the many problems linked to security reasons, will convey the positive message that things can get better in the region, conveying a pacifying effect", said Harry Hagopian, international lawyer, fellow at Sorbonne University and consultant for Middle-Eastern affairs at the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, interviewed by Silvia Guzzetti for SIR Europe.On September 14, in the basilica of St. Paul in Harissa, the Pope will sign the Apostolic Exhortation that brings together the work carried out by the Synod of the Churches of the Middle East in October 2010. How will it impact its readership? "I’m sure that the Pope will speak to the Christians who intend to flee from the region and its violence and migrate to Europe, America and Australia, encouraging them to stay. But he doesn’t have a magic formula. He will bring his moral authority and integrity to encourage them to reconciliation. If people start considering themselves as members of a community the situation is bound to improve in the future. However, we must not underline unrealistic expectations. The document is a roadmap just like the Oslo Agreement once was, but certain economic and financial conditions are needed to enable Church action".Relations with Muslims seem to be a central theme in the visit of Benedict XVI, a visit with Muslim leaders is in fact scheduled for Saturday September 15. What should we expect? "Interestingly, a few days ago the great Mufti of Lebanon, Amin al-Husseini, officially welcomed the Pope. I hope relations between the two communities will improve, although it will take time. The Pope will reiterate Christians’ commitment to work in conjunction with the Muslim community for the good of the region and of the Country. It should be remembered that the Country has a Muslim majority population, whether Sunnis or Shiites. This is the environment Christians live in, and this defines the relations between Christians and non-Christians".The Pope’s safety in this visit has been largely debated. Don’t you think he’s running an excessively high risk? "I was worried about the safety of Benedict XVI and I asked myself if it was the right moment for the visit, considering also all the difficulties and the tensions in the region. I often travel to the Middle East and in North Africa and I have seen many bordering villages bombed by Syrian forces. Some of these villages are Christian. But if the Pope had decided not to come a negative message would have been perceived. By visiting Lebanon and meeting the regional leaders he will send a positive message that will have positive effects on the entire region and on the sectarian aspects of Lebanon. I’m sure that all will go well. Also father Abu-Kasem, spokesperson of the Maronite patriarch, and the Minister of Interior of Lebanon Marwan Charbel, have said that all the necessary security measures have been taken".The serious crisis in Syria, which has always exerted a remarkable influence on Lebanon also overshadows the visit. Not to mention the fact that Lebanese Christians are divided between those in favour and those against the regime of Bashar-al-Assad…"There have always been divisions between Christians and there are divided factions between those who would like a more democratic region and others who are worried about what the future will bring. I hope that from Lebanon the Pope will encourage the leaders of several countries – Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq – to work together, the greatest problem isn’t religious discrimination but political and economic conditions".