Interview with RSC Chairman at Télé Lumière-Noursat ahead of the “Medical Day” in Tripoli.
Your organization has been active in Lebanon, and particularly in Tripoli, for several years now. What role is RSC playing in the organization the “Medical Day”, and what are the main objectives of this initiative?
Since 2018, the Religion & Security Council has been active in Tripoli in promoting dialogue and cooperation initiatives that bring together all local communities – Sunnis, Christians, and Alawites – with the aim of advancing peaceful coexistence, security, and development.
The “Medical Day” represents a significant milestone for RSC. Thanks to the close cooperation with the Italian Armed Forces and their dedicated support, we have been able to deliver medicines, clothing, and other essential items from Italy to several areas of Lebanon, as we are now doing in Tripoli.
I would also like to highlight the crucial role played by the Annas Linnas Association, active in both Italy and Lebanon, particularly in securing donations of medicines, as well as by the ngo Troubles, a key partner of RSC in Tripoli.
The “Medical Day” is a model of humanitarian initiative engaging local religious and civil actors alongside international partners., within an interreligious framework. It is a grassroots-driven synergy that reflects the true nature of Tripoli: a city whose people aspire to peace, security, and development. For this reason, in pursuing these goals, Tripolitans deserve greater international support.
In your view, what role can the religious dimension play in promoting conflict resolution and peace-building in Lebanon and other Middle Eastern countries?
This question goes to the very heart of the concept of “religion and security”. Too often, religious identities and concepts are instrumentalized to advance ideological agendas that fuel armed conflict, insecurity, instability, radicalization, and extremism. The real challenge lies in bringing to light the positive potential of the religious factor for conflict resolution, peace-building, and reconciliation processes.
From this perspective, a key pathway is interreligious dialogue, which must be translated into concrete educational, social, and humanitarian initiatives, such as the “Medical Day” itself. These initiatives should engage all relevant stakeholders, including religious leaders, policymakers, academics and experts, the media, civil society, and younger generations. The aim is to strengthen peaceful coexistence among communities of different faiths, preventing conflicts at both national and regional levels.
Interreligious dialogue is gaining increasing relevance in the region today, yet it remains a relatively recent field of engagement in contemporary times. It is a process that began too late, at a moment when conflict dynamics driven by the ideological manipulation of religion were already deeply entrenched, as demonstrated by the wars that have recently affected Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.
Nevertheless, to address the current challenges and help build a more peaceful future, the path of dialogue must be consistently pursued and actively supported. This is precisely the approach promoted by the Religion & Security Council, not only in Lebanon but also in Iraq, particularly in Mosul and the wider Nineveh region.
How do you assess the Pope’s forthcoming visit to Lebanon, and what impact might it have on Lebanon and the broader regional context?
Traditionally, the Pope’s first trip outside Rome indicates the priorities at the top of his agenda. Choosing Lebanon as the destination of his first visit sends a clear signal of the particular attention that Pope Leo XIV intends to devote to the country and to the delicate internal situation it is facing.
The fact that he will celebrate Mass in symbolic locations such as Martyrs’ Square and the Beirut port – site of the devastating explosion of August 4, 2020 – shows his desire to bring comfort to the Lebanese people, and to offer a message of hope and peace.
The key word is indeed “peace”, which is sought and desired by the overwhelming majority of Lebanese citizens. May his visit be a positive and encouraging sign for the country.
