Christian Shrine in Damascus (Photo by Emily O’Dell)
We thank all those who, at the United Nations, are working for peace so that there would not be any strike on Syria. — Patriarch Gregory III Laham
Tonight, all across the world, prayer vigils are being held to pray for peace in Syria and against outside armed intervention in the “civil” war. In Damascus, more than 1,000 Christians gathered tonight for a vigil for peace, as the U.S. continued its efforts to rally more support behind a military strike on Syria.
Syria’s Sunni Muslim leader, the Sufi-inclined Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun (who I mention in my recent article on Sufis in Syria) similarly called for all Syrians–regardless of religion–to join in the world-wide call to prayer.
And in Beirut this evening, prayer vigils were attended by Christians and Muslims alike. In fact, the vice president of the Shiite Higher Council in Lebanon, Sheikh Abdel Amir Qabalan, officially threw his endorsement behind the pope’s call for a day of fasting and prayer.
Those who weren’t praying tonight in Beirut must have been partying–since the party scene tonight was hopping. In fact, some of my friends are partying now more than ever, since none of us know what this week may bring…
Jesus in Damascus (Photo by Emily O’Dell)
