A Christian delegation from Churches in Wales has visited the Middle-East recently to learn more about the situation of Christianity and Islam in the Lebanon and Syria regions, and how they affect the areas around them.
The eight person delegation also expressed their desire to further friendship with the Middle-East Council of Churches, as well as encouraging links between Wales, Syria and Lebanon.The visit was a joint venture at the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches to CYTÛN, the National Council of Churches in Wales, which consists of Catholic, Protestant and Anglican Churches, with the Ukrainian Orthodox Mission in Wales as an active observer.
The General Secretary of CYTÛN, the Revd Gethin Abraham-Williams said, “The twelve-day visit included conversations in Syria and Lebanon with a wide range of Christian, Muslim and government leaders and those with political influence. In Lebanon on 17 March the group visited Khiam Prison Museum and met a former prisoner who described how the prison had been run by the South Lebanese Army, conditions had been dreadful and many people had died following torture.”
He continued, “At the prison the group had arranged a meeting with representatives from Hezbollah. At the beginning of the session, the delegates clearly set out the aim of their visit, to listen and to learn how peace and justice for all may be built in the region. They then listened to Hezbollah’s perspective from Sheikh Nabil Kawook. During the discussion one of the delegates, the Revd Christopher Gillham (Congregational Federation) gave his view, which he stressed was his personal view and that he was not speaking on behalf of the Welsh Churches. He said: “Had I been born in that part of the Lebanon, then I could understand that I would have been a member of Hezbollah.” Christopher Gillham has since been misreported in the media.
“Neither CYTÛN nor its delegation support terrorist activities in the Middle East or anywhere else. CYTÛN is an active and committed member of the Council of Christians and Jews in Wales and of the Inter-Faith Council for Wales,” Abraham-Williams concluded.The visit to Lebanon saw conversations take place with His Holiness, Catholicos Aram 1, who is also the former Moderator of the World Council of Churches General Committee.
In Syria a visit was also made to His Excellency President Bashar al Assad and also the Grand Mufti of Syria, Sheikh Ahmad Badruddin Hassoun.
