May 12, 2008

Letter from Mary Mikhael, Near East School of Theology president

Thank you sincerely for your prayers and for your concern about our safety and security. In fact, today I came to my office planning that the first thing I will do is to write you all knowing how much you will be thinking of us.

On Wednesday, May 7, the Labor syndicate was supposed to be on general strike. The main request was a correction of salaries in the face of the continued rise in the cost of living. Two days earlier the government had met and issued some insignificant raises in salaries, which was supposedly the cause for the strike of the Labor Force. Among other government decisions were two, one related to the chief of airport security and the other related to a communication (telephone network) system set by "Hizbulla" for its own security. The last two were considered by "Hizbulla" as a declaration of war by the government against it.

So on Wednesday about midday the Labor Force cancelled its strike, but on the streets were other forces. In a few hours we all were moved back in years to the civil war. The streets are emptied of cars and people except for the armed ones. Guns were held free in the air creating a sense of real street war like many of us remember from the '70s and the '80s.

You should see our NEST community gathering in front of the TV screen, watching news of the fighting with fear and deep concern. Then to help divert ourselves, some would go to the auditorium to watch a movie, or read an article, or do something else.  One evening we all met to discuss an article from our Theological Review and learn about some of the parties in Lebanon. Our chapel time every day was devoted to praying for the country — for peace and security, and for wisdom and love among the leaders in whose hands our future seemed to be held.

As I reflected on this experience, I wondered how naïve I have been, because I have believed such experiences were gone forever. How wrong I have been.

Three days, and Beirut has lived a sad memory of the civil war.

Fighting on the streets of Beirut ceased, the last two days, although fighting resumed in the mountains. However, the situation in Beirut remains very tense; stores remain closed, business offices are opening for a few hours only, universities and schools remain shut, the port and the airport are not functioning, and some major roads are blocked. A civil disobedience is being declared by the opposition until the government cancels the decisions it made on May 5. 

We are very sad for those who were killed and those who were wounded, and those who lost property — all seeming to be in vain. And all of us seem to be of short memory that violence will benefit no one.

Again we had to postpone the session of the Christian/Muslim Thought Forum that had been planned for May 8, to discuss the "Open letter of 138 Muslim leaders that was sent to the Pope and other Christian leaders." We also postponed our public lecture earlier that was to deal with "The Protestant Reformers and Islam." Many other events have been cancelled by universities and councils in the country — life is pretty paralyzed.

Our spring board meeting is scheduled to take place on May 23, but with the airport closed our partners will not be able to come.  And with the high tension and the excessive military presence on the streets even our local members may not be able to attend.

Dear friends, thank you all for your prayers. Thank you for sending words of encouragement and solidarity. Please keep praying for Lebanon and for NEST and for all the educational institutions as we approach final exams and commencements and summer seminars.

To God be the glory.

Sincerely,
Mary Mikhael, Ed.D.
President
Near East School of Theology
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