ISLAMIC-CHRISTIAN NATIONAL DIALOGUE COMMITTEE

Subject : "The National Center for Dialogue"

The unique experiment which Lebanon has experienced through the interaction of numerous religions and cultures made him the bearer of and international mission to be emulated and which ought to be diffused in a turbulent world going through and eddy of diverse struggles.

Muslim - Christian coexistence is Lebanon's greatest value and the cornerstone of national unity that we ought to take special care to develop and protect from all dangers which might threaten it.

The attitudes of the heads of Lebanese religious denominations have been characterized by a constant desire to strengthen the bond among the country's citizens. These heads were and still are the safety value in every stormy crisis. In August 1993, they considered it pertinent in their general meeting held at the Maronite Patriarchal See in Bkerke, to form "A National Committee for Muslim - Christian Dialogue". Consequently, they appointed a number of personalities concerned with public affairs to represent them on this committee. The committee's task is to endeavor to establish mutual coexistence and lay the rules for a dialogue that would preserve Lebanon's unity and enhance his mission to the world.

At the outset, we ought to point out that the Committee is founded on the voluntary contributions of its members in the absence of an external source of funding. Since its establishment, the Committee has been active in its mission and it has continually performed several activities such as organizing seminars, participating in study circles and working in different Lebanese regions. Moreover , its members have participated and are still participating in conferences and international gatherings in several countries. Furthermore, the Committee published in early 1995 a national political manifesto that was approved by all the heads of Lebanon's religions
denominations. The document consisted of a vision of Lebanon's role now and in the future. The manifesto was well received judging by the positive reactions of the various national forces and by the diverse political leader ships and effective centers of power, official and partisan.
In the unified working paper which it had approved, the Committee set a number of goals and proposed the means and mechanism which would enable it to realize these goals. It suggested a work program to be implemented by an agency which would anticipate and deal with any malfunctions which might befall the common Christian - Muslim living in Lebanon. This institution would propose the solutions and treatments to stop the repercussions of external events with a sectarian or denominational context from affecting Lebanese unity. It will also be concerned with highlighting the civil spirit, seeking to bury sectarian fanaticism and generating a continuous dialogue between the state and citizens and among the citizens themselves.
On the other hand, the Committee is active abroad. It seeks to take a role in the ongoing dialogue between the North and the South, particularly between the two shores of the Mediterranean. The Committee also seeks to introduce this dialogue in order to help solve the conflicts arising in various regions of the world in coordination with international organizations especially NGOs which aim at the same goals, namely concern for man and peace.
It is obvious that the Committee does not seek to confine the dialogue to the representatives of the heads of religious denominations otherwise it will become "intellectual luxury" or "a mental clearance operation" among elites which would make it lose its value. Hence its ideals and concepts will fail to reach the rank and file in civil society.
To benefit from the new dialogue pattern which the Committee has established requires that two basic conditions be satisfied :
1- The continuation of the dialogue frame of mind which is generated by the Committee for the sake of passing it from generation to generation and the preservation of the "common memory" and purifying it from all flaws and defects.

2- Publishing and diffusing this frame of mind, and communicating it to the largest number of people. Thus, this frame of mind would be effective on the level of public opinion inside Lebanon as a form of strengthening mutual coexistence or outside Lebanon as an effective factor to keep away the dangers of religious or cultural conflicts.

These two conditions cannot be met unless an agency is established to guard and enrich this dialogue - oriented thought and to secure its diffusion. Hence, this dialogue - oriented thought must be encouraged by the effective centers of power which possess the necessary material for its growth because the responsibility of this task does not fall on the shoulders of the Committee alone. It is a joint responsibility of all believers in dialogue and in the mission of Muslim - Christian mutual coexistence which is Lebanon's message to the world.
Hence, it is imperative that "The National Center for Dialogue" be set up. It would serve as the framework that will enable the Committee to attain its goals. Every societal project must be institutionalized in order to guarantee its existence and continuity.
It is self-evident that the National Center of Dialogue should consist of a work and documentation team that would monitor local and international events and developments and their repercussions on common Muslim - Christian living in Lebanon and the surrounding Arab regions so that the Committee could take the necessary initiatives vis-à-vis them. It is also necessary that the Center should include a conference hall and lecture auditorium to hold face-to-face debates, seminars and panel discussions on local, Arab and international issues so that they fall in line with the role we desire for Lebanon in this domain. Furthermore, the Center ought to be linked with the international communications networks to secure its effectiveness and to connect, coordinate and integrate it with international organizations that are involved in a similar kind of activity.
We recognize your adherence to the spirit of mutual coexistence and we hope that you will contribute to the establishment of the National Center for Dialogue. By doing so, you will be contributing to the strengthening of Muslim - Christian dialogue. This is a vital topic t hat is
of interest for all. Subsequently, the edifice will rise and our joint capabilities will be enhanced in preserving Lebanon's mission for a better life. Moreover, our efforts should be directed toward making possible the exportation for our experiment to a better world founded on a dialogue of religions and civilizations.

While waiting for your response,
we remain,

Truly yours,

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