“The Maronites and Lebanon” is the title of the conference organized, within a series of conferences, by Issam Fares Center for Lebanon, yesterday, during which MP Tamam SALAM, Ex-Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Elias FERZLI and the President of the Maronite League, Joseph TORBEY, took the floor, everyone according to his own vision to relate the history of Maronites, going off the topic to talk about the Christians, in general, the relationships between Muslims and Christians, and the role of Maronites, in the present and in the future. The most enthusiastic speaker was FERZLY who said that “he devoted his life to Arab causes”, raising major questions about the fate, the present and the future of Christians and calling to “think of a new system for Lebanon under the auspices of Taef and the Constitution, maintaining pluralism and coexistence and safeguarding national unity.”

The gathering started with a presentation for the Center’s member, Raghid AL SOLH, who pointed out “the Maronites’ firm and vital attachment to Lebanon, since they sought refuge in its mountains, in the sixth century, looking for a safe haven in order to freely practice their rituals, maintaining a stiff grip around the idea of a haven – entity. Then, their demographic, social and economic ascension started, after they organized themselves into a society which had its own specificities, governed by a religious institution, headed by the Patriarchy, and going in pair with the movement of modernity in the West. Maronites also contributed to the launching of a plural nation where freedoms prevail.” He also said: “Despite all the crises Lebanon has suffered from, Maronites succeeded in preserving this experience as a model of freedom, modernity, openness, and equality in the East, in the light of a politically and economically liberal regime, which distinguished itself from other Arab countries”. He concluded by raising a questioning “about the remnants of the Lebanese model in the light of the occurring changes, the confessional conflict in the region, the emergence of extreme Takfiri movement, and Israeli restrictions.” He also asked: “Is there an alternative project to the Lebanese model in this East under preparation?”

An authority which does not move backwards

MP Tamam SALAM gave an overview about the history of Maronites, describing them as a “religious community which has witnessed ups and downs, came to power, imposed its domination, then resorted to compromises and political options, to finally regress and become a problematic model, by excellence.” He considered that “some Maronites are torn apart, between completing the political project, on the one hand, and calling for a mini-State within the confederation of religious communities, in Lebanon”, indicating that the Maronites, before Taef, had a “long story with historical dimensions which cannot be ignored.”

He added that “the political Maronite authority over the administration, the army, the justice and the economy did not decline during the past years, since the administration was shielded, despite the nominations and positions which were granted to other religious communities to strike a balance.” He pinpointed that “some key positions were taken from the Maronites and that the Lebanese regime granted the Christians more than the truth of numbers, figures, and percentages (…).” He concluded, by saying: “The Lebanese model is at stake in the light of the regional situation which is witnessing a conflict related to religious extremism.” According to him, “quote-parts on the basis of religion reproduced the crisis of hegemony between religious communities.” He encouraged, within this context, the Maronites “to delve into the project of the Civil State, with the right of groups to have temporary political guarantees.”

The Movement, a guarantee of continuity

The President of the Maronite League, Joseph TORBEY, had a very touching intervention in which he asserted that “there is no guarantee for the continuity of Maronites, as long as Lebanon is not free. The Maronites cannot live under the domination of the others, since their Church has seen the light to fight against persecution.” He said: “If submission is a fate for some, it remains rejected by the Maronites.”