Karl Barth entreats us to “take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.” This is exactly what we do in the IMES Regional Brief, as we read the events of our region in light of the Bible and discover implications for the MENA Church. In our brief for February 2019, we look at the pullout of American military forces and equipment from Syria and how in times of relative peace the church should take important steps for the consolidation of justice, dialogue, and cooperation between various groups for the sake of the common good. On the other hand, this same event could serve an occasion for the churches in Lebanon and Syria to come together in unity. And, it can serve as an occasion for the global church to continue supporting the churches of the region for the purpose of strengthening the one body of Christ in humble, sacrificial service to the surrounding world. Poverty and the fragile economic situation are a recurrent themes in the MENA that we also explore in our brief. As Sudan faces an economic crisis, the Sudanese Church can overcome challenges both locally and regionally as it remains united and open to the Church’s global reach. Furthermore, the economic situation in Tunisia calls on the church to be involved in the community through assessing needs and finding the resources to meet those needs. Finally, we reflect on the construction in Egypt of the of the region’s largest Cathedral and Mosque. This event leaves the church with a challenge to maintain a Christ-like attitude, an attitude which has never been interested in the grandeur of a specific locale or the construction of grand edifices; but, it has always been interested in the universal human need for spiritual and material for healing, repentance, education, sustenance and shelter.
Lebanon/Syria
Responding to Turmoil through Unity in the Church
To the surprise of all, US President Donald Trump announced last month that the Islamic State militant group had been defeated in Syria...Read More
Egypt
“Alftah al Alim” and “Milad el Masih” – A National Epic over the Land of Miracles
The Egyptian and international media have recently witnessed a great event in Egypt: the construction of the largest mosque and the largest cathedral...Read More
Iraq/Syria
Peace Is Fragile: In Times of Peace, We Need to Develop Policies of Dialogue, Peacebuilding and Economic Justice for the Common Good
As the Trump Administration announced the beginning of the pullout of its military forces and equipment...Read More
Sudan
Sudan’s Plight Matters to Us
More than a month has passed since protests erupted across Sudan, with the rising anger over skyrocketing prices and a deteriorating economy. Protests were sparked on December 19, 2018...Read More
Tunisia
Freedom Alone does not Buy Dignity
On the eighth anniversary of the Arab Spring, Tunisia is often hailed as the rare success story, amid a region still plagued by war, humanitarian crises and displacement. For many Tunisians, however, the ideals of the protests which brought down the regime of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali have yet to be met....Read More