环球英语 — 261：Building Peace in the Middle East

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Hello. I’m Marina Santee.

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And I’m Ruby 2 Jones. Welcome to Spotlight 3. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

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In an earlier Spotlight programme we introduced Elias Chacour. He is an Arab Christian 4, a Palestinian refugee 5, and now an Israeli citizen. We told some of his story from his book, ‘Blood Brothers.’ The conflict and pain in the Middle East has caused anger and hurt in many people. However, Elias Chacour is working for peace there. He works with different religious and ethnic 6 groups in the area. Together, they are building peace.

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The Mars 7 Elias Institutions are part of his work in the Middle East. The institutions include schools, a college and a university. Students from different backgrounds study together - Muslim and Christian Palestinians, Jews and Druze. Through education, young people learn how to live and study together peacefully. But if you want to bring peace into a major situation, where do you start? In today’s programme we tell how Elias began this work.

It was 1965. The head priest 8, the bishop 9, sent Elias Chacour on his first project. He was to go and work in a church in Ibillin, Galilee. After a long trip there, Elias was surprised at his welcome:

Outside the church, an official shouted at Elias. He told him to get out. Elias was shocked! The official was the man he who looked after the church and its grounds. Elias would have to work with him! What kind of place was this?

Elias soon discovered that the church and the village were having many difficulties! Here in Ibillin, lived Muslims, Greek Orthodox 10 Christians 11 and Melkite Christians. Three different religious buildings stood on the same hill. The village leaders rarely agreed on anything. The water supply was short. No job was completed. Hatred 12 spread among the people. Elias learned of severe conflicts, even within families. This saddened him. He was even more troubled to discover that these people had once been active church members! Elias remembered Jesus’ words;

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‘God blesses the peacemakers. They will be called children of God. God blesses people who mourn they will know comfort... .’

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Elias began by visiting the local people - family by family, Christian or not. He did this for several months. And, slowly, he united some of the Christians. But the biggest breakthrough came on Palm Sunday, in the church.

Palm Sunday is an important day for Christians. So, the church of Ibillin was full! Even the divided families were there - though they did not sit together. The service began. Songs without emotion filled the heavy air. Finally, the service came to an end. The people turned to leave. But they did not suspect what was coming.

Nervously 13, Elias lifted his hand. The people were quiet. Then, he walked to the back of the church. Every eye followed him. Elias pulled the huge doors closed. Then he locked them! He walked back to the front of the church. He turned and faced the people. He took in a deep breath. And began;

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‘Sitting in this building does not make you a Christian. You people are divided. You argue. You hate. You lie about each other. You cannot love your brother that you can see. So how can you say you love God - whom you cannot see?’

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The people’s shock turned to anger. He saw the church official’s face red with anger. Elias continued;

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‘For many months I have tried to unite you. I have failed because I am only a man. But there is someone else who can bring you together in true unity 14. His name is Jesus Christ. He is the one who gives you power to forgive. So now I will be quiet - so he can give you that power. If you will not forgive, we will stay locked in here. You can kill each other. I will provide your funerals for free.’

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There was silence. The people sat still. Everyone looked at Elias. He waited. His breathing became faster.

Then, there was movement! Someone was standing 15 up! Elias could not believe it. It was Abu Mouhib. This man was full of hate! His family was divided! And he had treated Elias badly. Abu Mouhib said;

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‘I apologise. I am the worst one of all. I have hated my own brothers. I have hated them so much that I wanted to kill them. More than any of you, I need forgiveness.’

‘Can you forgive me abuna?’

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Elias called Abu Mouhib to him. They met each other with the kiss of peace,

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‘Of course I forgive you. Now go and meet your brothers.’

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There, in the middle of the church, Abu Mouhib and his brothers held each other. They asked for forgiveness. What followed, many would describe as a miracle. Other people followed Abu Mouhib’s lead. Families who had not spoken in years cried together. Enemies invited each other to their homes. Only the church official stood far off - saying nothing. The service went on for an extra hour. This time, the songs were filled with emotion - crying and laughter. The people walked out of the church together, through the streets. They went to other people’s houses asking for forgiveness. Elias remembers,

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’Then I knew that inner peace could be passed from man to man and woman to woman.’

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The road to peace had begun. Today, forty years on, the town of Ibillin is the centre of a great peace building work. It has ‘The Mar 1 Elias Educational Institutes.’ There are schools, a college and a university! Thousands of young people unite to study! This includes Muslims, Jews, Christians and Druze. Around them may be pain and conflict. The history of their land may be one of pain and conflict! But they are working to make their future one of peace. And they know that this journey begins, with themselves.

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Years ago, behind closed doors, in a small church, the hearts of people had changed. It is easy for us to miss the importance of events like this. But it holds a message for people everywhere - in any situation, any conflict, any divided community. It includes people of all race, religion, and ethnic groups. The event in Ibillin showed that real change can happen, if you start with your own environment. Peace can spread! The people in Ibillin began by dealing 16 with their own issues - gaining peace in their own hearts. Then, they could turn to their families, their enemies - their community!