Russian Orthodox Church Efforts Help Curb Middle East Conflicts, Tunisian Expert Says
Russian Orthodox Church Efforts Help Curb Middle East Conflicts, Tunisian Expert Says
The Church's cultural and historical ties serve as a soft power that strengthens people-to-people relations and fosters interfaith dialogue, Tunisian professor Baha Ibraghim told Sputnik.
Her comments followed a ROC delegation visit to Lebanon on September 25–29, where they met with Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi and senior officials. (in the photo)
Given current tensions, the Church's presence in such delegations is a prelude to containing or resolving political conflicts, she noted.
The Russian Orthodox Church is not new to the region but a soft power investing in ties dating back to the 19th century, when it established schools where thousands of Arab students studied and later translated Russian literature, she stressed.
She believes these cultural connections are more effective than political ones, as they bring religions and sects closer together, benefiting any political or economic endeavor.
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