Holland & Afghanistan. A story from the refugee camp

Sep 19, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Gaffar from Afghanistan had to seek asylum in Holland for him and his family. Life in the refugee camp was not easy with one room for the whole family. The children had to play outdoors when they were bored and disturbing to others. Every day Gaffar attempted to invent something new that would keep them busy in a positive way. Gaffar is a journalist and to keep his own mind active, he began translating a book. One day his friend, Frank, brought him a typewriter. To Gaffar it was like touching heaven with his fingertips. Now he could type his translation. Then his roommate exclaimed: “I would like to have one of those too!” Gaffar told him: “Take it; it’s yours.” Later that same day Peter arrived with a computer for Gaffar. It was still working well, and had been given to Peter when the computers at his office were replaced with new ones. “Seeing all the things you are doing for the children, I thought it could be helpful for you in preparing activities for them.” That month the Word of Life that was being lived said: “Give and there will be gifts for you.” (Photo: Afghan refugees leaving their country) Source: Città Nuova online

Towards LoppianoLab 2013/3

Sep 19, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Four days to talk about economy, culture, politics, the region and the young. Many concrete examples of “active citizenship” were shared at LoppianoLab in a programme that unfolded in workshops, seminars, testimonies by business people, an area for the Economy of Communion, courses on political involvement by the Political Movement of Unity and the Sophia University Institute. A close-up on “what the focolarini think now that Chiara Lubich is gone” through a presentation of the new book, La scommessa di Emmaus (the challenge of Emmaus), an interview with Focolare president Maria Voce. An early count of the participants places the number at around 3,000 people from every Italian region, plus another 5,000 who were linked up via internet with the different moments of the programme. Some came to Loppiano for the day. One social network had allowed the social network public to interact in the events, involving 300,000 contacts.

The major topics that were discussed included electoral law, interculturalism, legality, art, sustainable development and many others that were presented in fifteen laboratories that led to the Saturday afternoon event, entitled “Italia Europa. Un unico cantiere tra giovani, lavoro, innovazione” (Italy, Europe, a single field between youth, work and innovation). A lively discussion followed with experts on economy, training and Europe in which the young people were very involved in making a contribution toward the rebirth of Italy.

Regarding the realtionships among the generations, journalist Tiziana Ferrario riterated the importance of growing together – young people and adults – in a mutual exchange between passion and experience. “There is a more need for a Europe of the citizens,” declared Paolo Ponzano, counselor of the European Special Commission. His words were echoed by economist Stefano Zamagni, recalling the need for a more mature democracy at an international level, in which the citizens participate daily in the management of public affairs.

A high moment was the double interview with Maria voce, president of the Focolare, who has just been named an auditor of the upcoming Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization, who responded to the questions of Lucetta Scaraffia (Osservatore Romano)and Marco Politi (Il Fatto quotidiano), on issues facing the  Church and society: the role of women, interreligous dialogue and relations with those of “different beliefs”.

At LoppianoLab citizens, experts and professionals spoke of Italy in crisis, but also of Italy on the rise, with the same common denominator: a passion for civil participation. The laboratory entitled “The stalling of the parties. A politics for the technicians. And the Citizens?”  in which the issue of electoral law was discussed, which is a very hot topic in Italy. In full harmony with this was the seminar offered by the Courses on participation in politics, twenty four such courses underway throughout Italy today, involving 500 youths. “Provide us with true educators and we’ll provide you with a better world” was the title of a laboratory that pointed out the centrality of education as one resource for a better future. Stories of hopes and battles enlightened the laboratory on legality, such as that of business man Salvatore Cantone, who is engaged on the front lines with an anti-racketeering association and Giuseppe Gatti, anti-mafia magistrate and undercover, which which highlighted that a new legality can only be born from fraternity. The workshop entitled

Comunic@ando presented a series of projects: civic workshops, critical use of the media and a European project that involved Italian young people in a partnership with citizens of four other nations. The 3rd National Convention of Economy of Communion (EoC) was held in Loppiano at the Polo Lionello (Lionello Industrial Park). The novelty this year was the birth of AIPEC, an Italian association of the EoC and the voice of the young people: an overview of the year’s activity at the industrial park that was the incubator for 52 business projects; the Policor project in response to the high rate of unemployment among the young people in Italy. Now that the event has ended, the workshops continue at local sites across Italy. Active participation is the key in looking toward 2013.

Flickr Photostream

Jordan, Iraq and the example of the little ones

Sep 18, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

A few news flashes that highlight the radical change that love can bring about even in the life of the very young, and how the commitment to loving everyone supports them as they grow; and it becomes their distinctive mark

“My name is Karam and I’m 12 years old. I was five when I met the Focolare and was a Gen4. Among the many beautiful things I learned there is one in particular that I have in mind: the cube of love. I played the cube every day and tried to live according to the motto that came up. I remember one of my first experiences. There was a boy at my school whom no one liked and made fun of. I was one of these three. One day I tossed the cube and the phrase came up: Love your enemy. And so I went to school and apologized to the boy. The other two boys who made fun of him with me were shocked by what I had done. I told them about the cube of loveand how so many things in my life had changed once I started living the gospel with the help of this little tool. Now, every day we toss the cube together and try to live the phrase that comes up. And that boy we made fun of is also with us. Now I’m a Gen3 and still continue to play the cube, and I find that it helps me as a teenager to live the gospel in concrete ways wherever I may be.”

Following a series of testimonials by teenagers and children, the Gen4 offered their contribution. They showed up with their families at all the meetings that were held with the Focolare president and co-president in Jordan recently.

“My name is Marian and my brother and I recently had an experience. We like to watch Barney and Friends. One day while watching the shows we discovered that Barney was coming to Amman for a series of celebrations with children and we were looking forward to attending this feast. But the ticket was a bit costly. So we decided with our Mother and sisters not to attend this celebration with Barney, but to give the money that we would have spent on the tickets to the poor.”

One child posed a question to Maria Voce: “What do you think we Gen 4 from Jordan can do to help put an end to the political problems in the world and make the world more clean and beautiful?” Maria Voce answered: “You could do many things, because the world isn’t only far away. the world is also right there in your own house, in your school, in the places you play, in the streets. . .  And so if you care for these places, you’ll be caring for the world. Then when someone sees those places where you go to play and see how clean and harmonious it is, they’ll think: ‘The people who play here must truly love one another. Look how beautiful and clean! Why don’t we do the same?’ And so they will, and then others will do the same, then others. . . You are like the ones who throw the stone into the water. You might say, ‘But it’s only a small stone. That’s nothing.’ But, when it’s dropped into the water a circle is created, and around that circle an even bigger circle is formed, and then another even larger circle, then another and another – until it reaches everywhere in the world. And so what you do is very important. If you don’t begin, then the others will never begin.”

Santiago

Sep 16, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Haiti: The music of Nick & Friends

Sep 16, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Available from Living City Magazine Store

Nick & Friends. Nick and his forty friends from around the world write songs with appealing rhythms, but meaningful and appealing lyrics as well. “You changed me when you came into my life, I only want to love you; you are my new beginning.”

New Beginning is the title of the CD and of the song by the same name that mixes soft melodies and rap written by Canadian, Nick Cianfarani. The idea began because, for Nick, music, friendship and relationships are a means of solidarity. The 2010 earthquake inHaiti was the reason for the CD. Hundreds of thousands died and millions were left homeless. It was a catastrophic event that only worsened the situation of one of the poorest countries in the world, where half of the people live on less than one dollar a day.

“I’m not rich,” says Nick “and I don’t have any financial resources, but I know how to play and write songs, and I belonged to Gen Rosso Band for three years. Why not involve some of the musicians I’ve known over the years, I thought.” Nick & Friends compose their songs for free, and all of the profits are put into a project promoted by the Focolare to build public housing inHaiti.

Already in 2009 some friends of the Focolare recived some land and began to collect funds. The earthquake made the project take off and thanks to the support of Action for a United World they were able to build 20 studio homes, a community centre, a kitchen and a small storage building. Some of the earthquake victims have found a home and today 17 extremely poor families live in the studio homes. 175 children are supported through a support-from-a-distance programme of the Movement, as well as three schools, and one kindergarten, totaling some 1000 children. It has contributed to helpingHaiti on its feet again.

Continua la raccolta fondi, anche attraverso la vendita di A new Beginning, perché è in progetto la riforestazione di un’area con piante di mango, aranci, limoni e ananas che darà possibilità di impiego a molti lavoratori. “As soon as I mentioned the idea,” Nice recounts, “everyone was in agreement: Giovanni from Italy, Maria and Brian from New York, Renan from Brazil, the Chinese Leonard, Jane, Adrian and Eva who are now Canadian citizens and belong to the quartet. The last song on the CD, Risalet Salan, is sung in Arabic by four musicians from the Jeel Band inJordan: Yousef, Lith, Anwar and Amer who have become quite popular. Their video clip won a national award for the best song promoting peace.

Link video Gen Rosso Haiti

For more information: livingcitymagazine

nick.cianfarani @ focolare.org

Source: Città Nuova online

Italy: Young People and Legality

Sep 11, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Watch the video on YouTube

One young woman wrote to her peers from the Meeting 20013 at Caserta, Italy: “I return home enriched with each of you in my heart.” “Working shoulder to shoulder, understanding one another, struggling, dreaming, working deep into the night, feeling discouragement and beginning again, believing . . . All of this done TOGETHER has deeply united us. It’s impossible to turn back!”.

Meeting 2013 “Legality – the protagonists of our land” turned out to be a benchmark event for the 500 young people who took part, due to the deep awareness and involvement. The words of Pope Francis in Rio echoed over the miles: “The youth are the window through which the future enters the world. Don’t be left standing at the window of life!” The participants were convinced: “to trigger a change, we need to begin from ourselves.”

For young people from northern to southern Italy it was an opportunity to face up to the wound of illegality that spreads throughout the country and heal it with love. Challenges and a call for proposals  emerged from the discussion with journalist Roberto Mazzarella.   

Three afternoon sessions: “Legality and the Environment; Legality and Welcome, and Legality and Work, involved a close discussion between the young people and presenters who are on the front lines in giving their witness in the struggle for Legality. Among these was Enrico Fontana, in charge of the Ecomafia of the Lgambiente Party; Fr. Maurizio Patriciello, parish priest from Caivano and stron defender of legality in the “terra dei fuochi;” Dr. Antonio Marfella, oncologist, and Ivan Vitali, economist and director of the conVoi Association.

“Legality is not the objective. It’s not a value, but an instrument for reaching the goal that is justice.” These words, spoken by national president of the Libera Party, Fr. Luigi Ciotti sent a thrill through the crowd. “How can love become connected to legality?” the young people wanted to know. Strong words followed: “There’s no legality without equality,” “if people’s personal human dignity is not respected, then legality becomes an instrument of power and exclusion.” He went on: “A well-founded allegation is also a proclamation of salvation,” but “the great sin of today is called delegating;” whereas, every individual “should assume personal responsibility,” which is the third leg of the democratic stool.

“What are we willing to pay for our choices to remain faithful to our ideals?” asked the young people in a loud voice. The answers were measured against the events of the mornings in 11 work fields of lands confiscated from the mafia: we need to create community, to become an us that brings back legality. Temporary Procurator of the DDA of Bari, Giuseppe Gatti and RAI journalist Gianni Bianco gave testimony of this us in the book they co-authored, “La legalita del NOI” (The legality of “us”).

Sociologist Vera Araujo, from the Focolare Movement, coined a term that summarized the experience and content of the Meeting: the culture of relationships, which pre-supposes and goes beyond legality, but demands action and interaction for the building of community wherever there are people on the fringes of life.

The young people also signed a manifesto summarizing their commitments in five points. The next appointment is at “LoppianoLab 2013” (September 20, 2013 – September 22, 2013) for “Safeguarding Italy, creating the future together” and Project “Slot-Machine” which rewards civil virtues in regions that have given up gambling. This project will begin a tour of Italy at the end of September.

A memento of the Meeting was left at Caserta, a 120m² mural which the young people took turns painting for 90 hours. It depicts an explosion of colour spewing from a simple pipe.

By Victoria Gómez

Learning Fraternity: Peace is born from people

Sep 10, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Education, the privileged pathway for seeking peace. This was the idea that brought together:  families, schools, group animators, educational researchers and also some young and even very young people from many cultural backgrounds who are working daily to face the educational challenges of our times. They met at Castelgandolfo, Italy (September 6, 2013 – September 8, 2013) for a workshop entitled Learning Fraternity.   The two days were very dense and occurred at a very dramatic moment when a blare of voices was raised to heaven in prayer for peace and brotherhood. In a letter to Pope Francis the 650 educators from around the world wrote: “As Christians and citizens we feel it is our obligation and task to begin rebuilding relationships on love and justice through personal witness and with educational action that is aimed at building and spreading the culture of encounter and dialogue as the only pathway to peace.” They came from 35 countries with 20 national and local stands, plus 35 workshops  (from social media to sustainable development), which provided rich insight to how the principle of fraternity is being integrated into every dimension of the most diverse educational experiences. The projects ranged from preventing violence at early ages to school projects in the poorest outskirts of Santo Domingo, Nairobi and Recife. One project was the Strong without violence project, which was developed through collaboration among the international Gen Rosso Band, the Starkmacher Association, Caritas of Cologne, the German Federal Ministry of Work and Society, local social institutes for youth at risk, immigrants, prisons and orphanages – in all involving more than 25,000 young people. There were also people from the Dalwal School in Punjab, Pakistan with its 209 students only four of whom are Christian. “We strive to avoid irenism in our educational approach,” says school director Valentina Gomez, “to form consciences that are open to universal values such as the respect for religious freedom, forgiveness, sharing.” There was a group from Egypt. Elhamy Naguib is an artist who has been giving workshops on mural painting. Her project is part of the Koz Kazah Foundation.  She  shared how she also used this art form on February 7^th during the protests in Tahrir Square. “I went to the Square and began designing murals that depicted the great aspirations of the Egyptian people.” It was in this way that social justice was given the form of a scale of justice, and liberty the form of a bird. “Let us never give up the hope of a democratic future for our country where everyone is equal.” The promoters of the initiative included New Humanity, the Eucation and Unity Association, Action for a United World (AMU) and the Teens for Unity Movement, as well as the educational agencies of the Focolare Movement, including families and children. Therefore, the project does not end with Learning Fraternity, but continues through educational practices at many levels, forming people who are capable of forming relationships with others in the ever-more complex age in which we live. Their commitment was written down in a 10-point manifesto, an educational pact, which was presented to Pope Francis: to educate with life; to learn together so as to teach together; to  create networks of relationships; to assist each person in fulfilling his or her own path; to accept limitations, transforming them into opportunities for dialogue and growth and always beginning again. Replay streaming: http://live.focolare.org/ Photo album: flickr.

Spirituality of communion and the Year of Faith

Sep 10, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

““Please accept my gratitude and joy for allowing me to be here with you, and for your Christian presence in this land. I feel honoured to be somehow part of it too.” These were the opening words of Maria Voce as she met with representatives of the local Church on September 5, 2013 at Rosary College of Amman.

Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, Apostolic Nuncio in Jordan and Iraq was joined by Bishop Salim Sayegh, Emeritus Latin Bishop, Archbishop Yasser Ayash, Greek Catholic Bishop, Salomone Warduni, Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop of Baghdad, several archimendrites, men and women religious – including the superiors of the Christian Brothers, Sisters of the Rosary and Dominican Sisters – and by lay people from the Catholic Church (Melkites, Latin and Chaldean Rite) and by the Orthodox, Lutheran and Anglican Churches. These more than 300 people offered a picture of the ecclesial reality of the country. The evening, which was part of an ecclesial programme within the context of the Year of Faith, had been organized to present the contribution that the spirituality of communion can bring to the faith.

Two young people presented the United World Project with the most recent experiences in Amman, that aimed at engaged the city with mostly ecological and environmental projects. One couple shared their Christian experience of involvement in marriage, which was marked in the early years by suffering, due to the absence of children but also of involvement in the ecclesial field, especially with families. “After 6 years, during which many other couples were praying with us, our daughter was born. In the Movement we have learned that everyone is called to holiness and we are committed to follow this path.”

The last to share her experience was Zena, an eighteen year-old who shared her expierence with a tumour when she was seventeen years old. “Everyone pitied me, but I felt fortunate that God had chosen me to carry his cross.” She admitted to being fearful, but in hospital she tried to cheer up others, especially the children who were there with her: “I saw many people suffering and how great was the faith of some of them. One day I felt all alone. I telephoned the focolare and they reminded that Jesus had also felt abandoned.” Now Zena is doing better, life pouring out of every pore. She left the hall amidst a loud round of applause, especially when she said that in spite of the demanding treatments she managed to pass her high school examinations with a 95% average.

During her presentation Maria Voce underscored several points of the spirituality of unity that highlighted how the spirituality of communion enables a person live the Year of Faith in a deeper way. She recalled how “deeply Pope Benedict XVI’s invitation to give public witness of the faith had found an echo among us, “a public witness of living the Word, the experience of having received love,” “and sharing this as a joyful experience of grace.”

The president of the Focolare, who is visiting Jordan from August 28th to September 10th, told how several aspects of this spirituality seemed to be truly prophetic on the ecclesial level. “In the first years of the Focolare Movement communion of the experiences of living the Word was quite a novelty. And these were irrefutable because they were ‘life,’ they were fruitful too, capable of generating a true and living encounter with Jesus, making people who were scattered into a community.”  She then underscored what Pope Francis had recently written in his Encyclical Letter Lumen Fidei: “It is impossible to believe on our own. Faith is not simply an individual decision which takes place in the depths of the believer’s heart, nor a completely private relationship between the “I” of the believer and the divine “Thou,” between an autonomous subject and God. By its very nature, faith is open to the “We” of the Church; it always takes place within her communion.

Maria Voce concluded: “Thanks to this spirituality of communion we have also seen communion blossoming in the Church among the various Movements that enrich her, charisms both ancient and new. Moreover we see how this contributes to the unity of Christians and opens dialogue with people of other religions who present the more urgent and challenging frontier of the third millennium.”

One priest commented on a message that was posted on Facebook: “My heart is Christian but my mind does not believe in religion. Don’t consider me an atheist, because I don’t accept your evaluation. Who are you to evaluate me?” “And how are we to answer our young people?” the priest asked.

Focolare co-president Giancarlo Falettisuggested the life option. “What this girl writes is interesting: a Christian experience divided between heart and mind. When the Christian experience is lived together with others it brings the presence: the presence of Christ in the community. So then we can answer: my secret is a Person, it’s Jesus who came to life for me and the others. I think that this is the witness we should give, also with the modern means of communication.”

By Roberto Catalano

Visit to Jordan

Forgiveness, dialogue, reconciliation are the words of peace

Sep 9, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

“Let the sounds of weapons cease! War always marks a defeat for humanity.” Severe words from Pope Francis during the vigil of Saturday, September 7^th in Saint Peter’s Square, where he prayed for peace inSyria and throughout the world. In the days preceding the vigil there had already been much response from many parts of the world, also from Amman, Jordan, where Maria Voce had gone to represent the Focolare Movement. A hundred thousand people prayed with Francesco for four hours of awesome silence. The quiet atmosphere of composure and recollection was interrupted only by the sound of prayer. The Pope venerated the icon of the Salus Populi Romani, Mary Protectress of the Roman Peoples. Then the Rosary was recited by the crowd in a single voice. As the conversation with Mary unfolded, a sense of trust in the Mother of All and Queen of Peace filled everyone’s soul. Amongst the crowd, just outside the barriers, a group of Muslims recited verses from the Koran. In an atmosphere of universality, everyone raised prayers to the one God. The meditation offered by the Pope was very dense; his face concentrated and serious. He began with the Book of Genesis, speaking of God’s desire for harmony in Creation, and of the chaos that was unleashed by man through violence and dispute: “Where is your brother, Abel?” “The same question is asked of us, and it would also be good for us to ask ourselves: Am I my brother’s keeper? Yes, you are your brother’s keeper! Being a human being means caring for one another!” But when we break this harmony, “the brother to be cared for becomes an adversary whom I must fight and eliminate.” “Still today we raise our hand against our brother.” “We have perfected our weapons, as our conscience fell asleep, we have sharpened our thinking to justify ourselves  . . . Violence and war  bring death only. They speak only death! Violence and war speak the language of death!” “Can we get out of this spiral of sorrow and death?” the Pope asks. “Yes, it is possible for everyone!” And a loud applause confirmed his words. “I would like us to cry out from every corner of the world: Yes, it is possible for everyone! Indeed, I would like each one of us, from the smallest to the greatest, including those who have been called to govern the nations, to respond: Yes, we want it!” Then he went on: “How I wish that all men and women of good will would look to the Cross if only for a moment! There, we can see God’s reply: violence is not answered with violence, death is not answered with the language of death. In the silence of the Cross, the uproar of weapons ceases and the language of reconciliation, forgiveness, dialogue, and peace is spoken. Then the praying continued. Long silences followed by prayers and songs. A long period of silent adoration. Everyone was focused on the white host in the golden monstrance, focused on that God who appeared to be like the heart of the world in that moment. On the next day, the 8th of September, during the Angelus he spoke again about peace “in this moment as we are so strongly praying” for it. He exhorted everyone to “say ‘no’ to fratricide and to the lies it makes use of, no to all forms of violence, no to weapons proliferation.” Then without hesitation he strongly added: “This war here, that war there – because there are wars everywhere – are they truly wars because of problems or because commerce, for selling the illegal selling of weapons?” It’s time to say “no” to conflicts, to hatred, to violence towards our brothers and sisters. But to say this “no” “it’s necessary that each one of us strongly and courageously decides to renounce evil and its seductions, and choose good.” “Let us carry on with prayer and works of peace” so that “the violence and devastation inSyriamay immediately cease, and we may work with renewed commitment for a just solution to conflict and fratricide. The search for peace is long. It requires patience and perseverance.”   By Victoria Gómez

Testimonies from Syria

Sep 9, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

These are the testimonies of Syrians that have been gathered by Roberto Catalano, our correspondent in the Jordanian capital during a meeting among Focolare members with the Movement’s president, Maria Voce.

How are the tragic events that are tearing the country apart being perceived by Syrian Christians? Does it make sense to speak of dialogue among religions in such a context?

“There has always been dialogue in Syria at an official level, promoted by Mufti, other religious Muslim leaders and by the Churches, and they have always been respected for their work. In this respect, nothing has changed. In these past three years Syriahas paid the price for Islamic fundamentalism, which has manifested itself in the killings of moderate Sunni Islamists. These were persons of great value, such as the chekr El Boudi, president of the International Council of Islamic Law Scholars. Friends already in their forties have been telling me how since childhood they willingly went to hear him preach on Friday afternoons, because his teachings were infused with feelings of love, compassion and mutual respect. This is how it was up until the barbarous killing a few months ago inDamascus.”

And Christians?

“In terms of the people, when the violence began fear began to spread among Christians, the result of what we might call the historical memory of this religious element in the country (i.e. the Lebanese war). On the other hand, we must not forget the entrance of armed Syrian terrorist groups into Syrian cities, who are openly hostile to Christians, killing them just because they bear the Christian name. Not that it was all rosy before, but even when the reins of power were in the hands of the Muslims, Christians were respected and could also hold positions of responsibility in public administration and in the academic world. In any case, although the events inSyriaare not a directed attack on Christians, it does place them in front of the drama of emigration, which is the only way to escape the violence and ensure a future for their children.  Interreligious dialogue is not only a Syrian issue.”

“How do you live your daily lives under attacks and bombardments?

“In Aleppo prices have gone up. In areas controlled by the Syrian army bread is nowhere to be found, because the roads leading to flour storehouses are in the hands of the rebels. The Aleppo-Homs-Damascus road is extremely dangerous, especially the beginning of the road. But travelling anywhere in the city has become a gamble. Roadways that before required two or three hours to traverse now require up to 36 hours. Ten days ago terrorists from Jabat el Nouszra came down from Krak des Chevaliers towards the Christian zone of Wadi Nazara, they eliminated the soldiers at two road blocks, went into the first Christian village where a feast was being celebrated and mowed down all the people they saw passing by, especially the young. This instilled terror in the families, and many have fled to other places inSyria.”

Is there hope at any level for a peaceful or political solution to the conflict?

“I don’t think there were any positive signs this week. On the contrary, the fighting has intensified in several parts of the country and, as a consequence fear has grown among the public. Last week inDamascusthe words of Isaiah were echoing in my ears: “Like a lamb he was lead to the slaughter” (Is. 53:7). Never before had I understood the innocent Lamb who is helpless in front of impending death, unjust death. This is the reality among the people, especially following the threat of attack by theUnited States. They’re fearful, appalled, desolate. They looked into our eyes in disbelief: “Are they really going to attack us?” The mortars and rockets from the suburbs to the city were much more numerous, and army attacks just as heavy.”

Source: Città Nuova online

Thailand: Right to an education for Burmese children

Sep 8, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

The Right to an Education for Burmese children project provides primary/elementary education for Burmese immigrant children with families who have fled to Thailand to escape persecution and extreme poverty in Myanmar. During the last school year 640 children were served. The project is promoted by the  United World Project (NGO) in collaboration with its local affiliate the Good Friend Centre in Thailand’s Mae Sot Province. Since 2006 Good Friend Centre has been working in Mae Sot Province providing primary education to Burmese children who have immigrated with their families, to escape persecution and extreme poverty in their homeland. Many of the families had to leave everything behind when they fled. Now they work as farmhands without the guarantee of regular salaries. The children often have to stay at home to help their parents in the fields. Their inability to pay tuition and school fees is a further discouragement that leads them to abandon early schooling. With 8 schools on the Thailand, Myanmar border, the Good Friend Centre provides free schooling to hundreds of children who would otherwise not be able to receive and education. To help the school become economically independent, production activities have begun to pay for educational fees (salaries and professional development courses for teachers, a daily meal for the children, school uniforms and educational materials). In 2011 the United World Association supported a project for raising chickens and pigs beside the New Blood School, a project which supports 450 children who are attending the school. For several months, a 5-acre plot has been rented beside the school for the cultivation of beans and corn, providing further support for the project. This new school year began with 2 production projects (raising fish and pigs) which will support the Mae Wah Khee School and the Pa Lu Gyi School attended by 190 children. This project requires an initial investment for the purchase of 3,000 fish and 10 pigs and a year’s salary for personnel. The pig farm should become self-supporting in 15 months; whereas, the fish farm should begin producing profit for the school in 5 months. These projects will help the schools to be independent of external support, and continue to provide free services to minors who otherwise would have no access to an education. Source: Action for a United World Newsletter

Mariapolises in Algeria: Christians and Muslims Together

Sep 7, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

During the months of July and August many countries of the northern hemisphere were holding Mariapolises, an annual gathering of the Focolare Movement. For several days, young people, children and adults of every background gather together with the one aim of living an experience of brotherhood according to the universal values of the Gospel. In some countries the guideline of this gathering is the Golden Rule that invites us to treat others as we would like to be treated.

So it was in Algeria where the Mariapolis was held on July 4 – July 6 at the Ulisse Centre in Tlemcen with its intriguing title: “My neighbor is another me.”

The community of the Movement in Algeria is largely Muslim and the upcoming feast of Ramadan that requires painstaking preparations, led Mariapolis organizers to hold the event for only three days.

In spite of its brevity the days were lived even more intensely, enabling everyone to enter more deeply into the topic: love of neighbour in the spirituality of unity and in the Koran.

More and more, people who have attended other Mariapolises want to introduce it to their relatives and friends. For this reason some had to be turned away for lack of space.This year 140 people attended the Mariapolis, nearly all of them Muslims several places in Algeria including the Sahara. There were many families and very many young people. The contribution of the young was very considerable, both in the preparing the event and in giving witness to their adherence to this ideal of brotherhood.

The children and youngsters were also able to experience what love of neighbor means: “I understood all the good that love of neighbour can do;” “I felt loved the whole time” two of them commented.

Some of the families who had come to the Mariapolis for the first time were awestruck by this great idea of brotherhood: “It seemed to me that I was touching God with my hand during these days,” one person remarked. “I discovered how to love God, without complicating life,” “I found such great serenity here,” “You are my second family.” Many such comments expressed the thirst for a more fraternal lifestyle, which is so needed to ease the tensions, especially at this moment in time.

It was this concrete brotherly love that helped to form a community in this land, a community in which love and respect prevail over cultural diversity, traditions and religions.

Jordan. The Focolare and interreligious dialogue

Sep 6, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS), founded in Amman in 1994 under the patronage of the Prince El Hassan bin Talal, offers, an academic level contribution to eliminate the tensions between religions and cultures, for the promotion of peace. Given the geo-political and cultural humus out of which it was born and the current seriousness of the problem, the main focus of RIIFS is the study of the relationship between Islam and Christianity.

The Institute is also engaged in what has been called the ‘Promotion of the Amman Message’ project, the speech delivered by Sheikh Izz-Eddine Al-Khatib Al-Tamimi, Chief Justice of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, November 9, 2004: a declaration of commitment to dialogue by the Jordanian Muslim world.

This was the context in which Prof. Amer Al Hafi, Associate Director and Head of the Research Committee of the RIIFS, called on the President of the Focolare, Maria Voce, these days in Jordan, to consult a qualified group of institutional representatives to present the contribution that the Movement brings to interreligious dialogue, with particular attention to relations with Islam.

The meeting was held at the Arab Thought Forum in the presence of about seventy guests. Dr. Kamel Abu Jamer, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, opened the evening by presenting Maria Voce as a friend “of our country, the only nation in the region where, in accordance with the true spirit of Islam that is a spirit of peace, all religions are free to practice.”

The intervention of Maria Voce was focused on the experience of dialogue that was born thanks to the charismatic figure of Chiara Lubich, noting that Jordan is a “country where Muslims and Christians have lived side by side for hundreds of years, offering a great testimony of positive coexistence.” She also expressed appreciation for “the many initiatives promoted by His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein to strengthen co-existence, including the initiative that has been welcomed by the UN, to hold an annual week dedicated to the harmony among people of different faiths.”

Then, tracking the development of the contribution of the Focolare to dialogue and pointing to love as its typical methodology based on what Chiara Lubich had defined as the art of love, Voce mentioned some significant experiences of Muslim-Christian dialogue in which the Focolare has played a part in recent decades. She referred to the relationship begun in Europe with many Muslims who arrived on that continent because of migration flows; the experience of Tlemcen in Algeria; one in the U.S. with the followers of Imam WD Mohammad and others in the context of the Near East. She said: “Often interreligious dialogue requires overcoming past misunderstandings in order to rediscover that we are brothers and sisters […]. Working together based on love and mercy brings numerous benefits. We often find that the Christian becomes a better Christian, the Muslim becomes a better Muslim, and that the society, which is the fruit of this collaboration, also improves.”

“Thank you for this heart to heart talk,” said Dr. Sadeq As AlFapiq, Secretary General of the Arab Thought Forum. “We have lost the courage, but this Movement was born in a discouraging moment of war. In moments of tragedy new hope is always born. “

“Sacrifice is a method of loving that is able to bring people together,” Prof. Amer Al Hafi reflected,  “and your presence here makes us feel that Christ is still alive and sends signs in people who love.”

“What we have all experienced this evening is something real, concrete and alive,” added Dr. Azmy Shaheen. “This change begins from oneself. The point is how are we to transform this into concrete models of peace and be missionaries of life and not only of words.”

Comments were also made concerning this particular moment in Islam and its critical view of the West which it views as anything but positive. Maria Voce addressed these comments as well at the conclusion of the evening, thanking everyone for their honest analysis that expressed the problems and the pain. “I’m Western and I come from the West and if I could do something to repair the injustice that has been done by that part of the world towards your lands I would wholeheartedly do it.”

By Roberto Catalano

Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti received by King Abdullah of Jordan

Sep 4, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

The unexpected news confirming the audience arrived in late afternoon on Tuesday, filling the Focolare members with joy as they concluded the events of the past few days.  Here are some of the first impressions shared by Maria Voce following the audience.

Maria Voce: “His Majesty welcomed us warmly, saying that he was honoured by our visit. He wanted to know how our work had gone on here in Jordan. Then I thanked him for the welcome we had been given by the country, underscoring that the reason for my visit was precisely to bring him my thanks and the thanks of all the Movement’s members. I was then able to inform him that we came from several countries, Christians and Muslims, all joined by the spirit of universal brotherhood. I thought it was important to highlight the fact that it was possible to hold a series of such meetings here in Jordan, precisely because of the spirit of openness and tolerance that characterizes this land.”

What was King Abdulla II’s reaction?

“He asked: ‘And us, what can we do to continue this work?’ He expressed his concern over the situation in the region, the great challenges, and he didn’t hide his concern for the Christian communities. But, above all, he told me that we had to face these crises and uncertainties together.”

Did he mention anything about his recent visit with Pope Francis?

“I told the king of our joy at seeing him in the photograph with the pope in the press. And he immediately stressed that it was one of the most beautiful visits that he has had in these years. Referring to the pope, he said: ‘We felt that we were brothers.’”

How did the visit conclude?

“I thanked him on my own part for having received me in audience and providing some visibility to our presence here. On his part he said that we could always turn to him at any moment and for whatever reason. ‘Ask for anything and we are at your disposal. I am your brother and I place myself at your disposal.”

By Roberto Catalano

EoC in Cuba: a possible dream

Sep 3, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

When John Paul II visited the island in 1988 he stated: “Let Cuba open to the world and the world open to Cuba.” Nowadays many Cubans would add: “Let Cuba open to Cuba,” almost echoing the words of José Martí: “To be great, it is enough to strive for greatness” [our translation].

For some time a project has been underway for creating businesses in several locations in Cuba, according to the model of a Sustainable Social Economy (ESS) and the Economy of Communion (EoC). This project is called “Training in the culture of brotherhood, assistance and support for small businesses and socio-cultural projects.”

Patricia Silva and Marisol Cuadrado from Argentina have put together a manual that is adapted to a Cuban context, intended for trainers and business owners. Marisol and Carolina Carbonell from the National EoC Commission of Argentina travelled to Cuba last July.

“They were beautiful days, intense and beautiful. You don’t come back the same as when you left,” Carolina recounts. “Together with Cuban economists, Ernesto and Kike who are passionate about the EoC, we held a series of workshops in Havana, Camaguey and Florida. These last two cities are located in the centre of the country.”

“We thought we would be talking with the business owners about business, but when you understand Cuba you immediately realize that you must begin by taking a few steps back and begin with the dreams and building relationships based on trust. For this reason the workshops always began with a lively self-presentation in pairs. Everyone had a few minutes for getting to know the other, listening and then presenting. The experiences that emerged from this sharing turned out to be quite beautiful, as if everyone had always been accustomed to this kind of communion.”

“In the work groups on the experiences of the first entrepreneurs of the Economy of Communion, the origins of the EoC were examined, and also how these business owners had decided to take the risk of organizing their businesses according to the principles of the EoC.

Carolina surprised everyone: “The dynamic of our workshop turned out to be a game: a treasure hunt. Through different stages we helped one another to discover our dreams, talents and the greatest treasure of all, the project for our life. We had a strong experience in Florida with a wonderful group of farmers.”

“We certainly uncovered Cuba’s best side: its people who are far more beautiful than the splendid beaches that draw so many crowds,” Carolina remarked. “We saw that the culture, warmth and generosity of this people have no cost attached, nor limit. It often happens that a business owner risks his own business in order to save a neighbour’s. They have our same dreams: freedom, equality, development and the best capital to succeed.”

“During our stay on this island,” she concludes, “we haven’t found friends, but brothers and sisters.”

At the service of peace in the Middle East

Sep 2, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

September 1, 2013: Pope Francis’ heartfelt plea for peace in the Middle East.

August 30 – 31: Meeting with 500 adults and young people, laity and priests, religious and bishops, representing the Focolare Movement in this area of the world. They came from Greece, Algeria, Morocco, Syria, Iraq. Persian Gulf countries and the Arab Emirates. These are difficult times for these lands, and many had to overcome impossible obstacles to join Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti on their visit.

A letter from Syria was welcomed by thunderous applause: “You know that we are going through a difficult time (. . .) in the midst of the pain we carry on building bridges of love and unity with others (. . .) we sow hope in the people who are suffering all around us, we fill their sorrowful hearts with the presence of God, we do everything possible to bring love to others. (. . .) Today we pray with you today for Peace, which is being so threatened in the world and in the Middle East, especially Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq – that God’s love may triumph everywhere in the world.”

There were Christians from a variety of Churches (Catholics, Coptic Orthodox, Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholics, Maronites, Armenians, Chaldeans, Syro-Orthodox and Syro-Catholics), and also a substantial representation of Muslims from Algeria, but also Morocco, Turkey and Jordan. A cross section that makes you think that unity is not a dream, as Maria Voce remarked: “Looking at you, how could one have doubts about a united world!” For two days there was an atmosphere of true brotherhood.

Chiara Lubich had visited Amman in November 1999, but already in 1969 had said that “there are hotbeds of war everywhere in the Middle East, such that peace is always in danger. What should we do, since our ideal is unity? We should help these brothers and sisters to love one another, this body must heal. The health of humanity must be brought to bear here.”

The experiences from different countries underscored how the steps taken by the Focolare have been aimed towards this goal: to bring dialogue as a pathway to peace. Algeria and Turkey began by sharing how the dialogue developed with Muslims, and the ecumenical dialogue with Orthodox Christians. It wasn’t an easy process. Quite the contrary! Everyone involved in this experience has no hesitation to mention the criticisms, but also the firm decision to bring the experience ahead. Ever since February 2012, when she visited Tlemcen, Maria Voce gratefully confirmed the presence of Muslims in the Focolare in Algeria.

No less prophetic were the small but great stories of how the Movement began in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, the Holy Land, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Egypt. These are lands that have all at one time or another been torn by war, where, in spite of the difficulties, this spirit has found development often through social assistance projects that have brought healing to deep and painful wounds. As the Nuncio to Jordan and Iraq, Archbishop Giorgio Lingua pointed out, dialogue is a risk, but it also builds relationships of mutual trust that are cemented over time. Muslim professor, Amer Al Hafi, vice-director of the prestigious Royal Institute for Inter-faith Study of Amman, affirmed: “Dialogue is a grace from God for us. Through dialogue I understand the greatness of God who allows us to savor the diversity.”

During the discussion with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti some problems were mentioned that are currently being faced by this region of the world . . . problems that affect everyone, daily difficulties and death, problems for families and their future. Some barriers also emerged that exist among countries in the region, as well as the relationship between Muslims and Christians and the role of Muslims within the Focolare.

Maria Voce concluded by inviting everyone to a moment of silence, asking for the gift of peace: “Placing ourselves in front of God so as to place ourselves at his service, asking him to use us as instruments of peace (. . .) in these lands.”

Compiled by Roberto Catalano

Photo: Claude Gamble

Seventeen years of meetings between Christians and Jews

Aug 27, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

On the 17th Day for Peace, 70 Christians and Jews met for two days of dialogue and study at the Focolare’s permanent Mariapolis in Argentina (August 8, 2013 – August 19, 2013).

This year’s theme: “Love of neighbour in the Jewish and Christian traditions.” The programme opened with the testimonies of 6 Jews and 3 Christians who had attended an interreligious gathering organized by the Focolare at Castelgandolfo, Italy, last May. Their experiences highlighted the important steps being taken towards greater mutual understanding.

What is the secret of the success and continuity of this Day for Peace? The participants answer: “It offers a space for sincere sharing that is governed by fraternal affection and mutual respect, in which you are certain of the trust, listening and acceptance by the others.”

There were many salient moments. The first everyone remembers was the encounter with Pope Francis that aroused great emotion.

Focolarina theologian Lidia Erbetta, and Rabbi Silvina Chemen from the Beth El community, then presented a study on chapter 4 of the Book of Genesis. This chapter presents the well-known story of Cain and Abel and that fateful question: “Where is your brother?” Erbetta and Chemen proposed a group dynamic along the lines of the hevruta; that is, a study among equals, according to the tradition of the Talmud for the examination of Biblical texts. But this hevruta was not between only two people but six members of a communion and study group, and was followed by reflections from the presenters.

The same scheme was followed on the second day, this time with Francesco Canzani from the Focolare, and Rabbi Ernesto Yattah, who examined the Gospel text of Mark 12:29-33: the Gospel text in which Jesus recalls that what counts most is to love God and neighbour.

The Day of Peace concluded with a blessing at the olive tree that had been brought from Nazareth 15 years ago by Jewish friend, Ignazio Salzberg. This tree has become a symbol of Jewish-Christian dialogue at Mariapolis Lia.

This year again many spoke of the enthusiasm created by the meeting, the fruit of mutual and respectful dialogue, and the desire to go on living it in each individual’s daily social context.

Maria Voce in Jordan

Aug 26, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Africa, the Middle East was the cradle of great civilizations and 3 monotheistic religions. For thousands of years these lands held a very noticeable influence on Asia Minor and the European Mediterranean. Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Hittites, Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks, Arabs and Turks have let an indelible mark through their culture, art and religions. Judaism, Christianity and Islam were begun in this region, and it was here in Jerusalem that their holy city is found.

November 27, 1999 in Jordan is a day that will forever remain an unforgettable day for the members of the Focolare in these lands. Founder Chiara Lubich visited the Middle East and met some thousand members of the Focolare in Amman. They came from more than 20 countries (from the Middle East and beyond), some travelling over 20 hours by bus, others in airplanes, and overcoming impossible obstacles. A thousand people representing the more than 25,000 people who belong to the Movement in those lands. On that occasion, Chiara said to the crowd: “It’s wonderful to be with you. We are many peoples, but in this hall we are one.”

Two days later, on November 29, during the 7th Assembly of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP), which was held in Amman, during her speech, Chiara Lubich presented the “Art of Loving” including the aspect of loving everyone without distinction, taking the initiative in loving, putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and remembering that every human being has made in the image and likeness o God. She offered as an effective way of building peace among individuals and peoples.

On August 28, 2013, the current president and co-president of the Focolare, Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti, are expected to meet with the Focolare community in Jordan. Their visit will last through September 1, 2013 and is seen as an important and delicate encounter, considering the latest painful events in that region, especially in Egypt.

At the WCRP Assembly in 1999, Chiara Lubich had stated: “We are here today because we believe that in spite of everything,, peace is still possible. In fact it is the only path for a future that is worthy of the highest human values.” Perhaps these words are the key or understanding the upcoming visit of the Focolare president in Jordan.

Learning Fraternity: Udisha, a new dawn

Aug 22, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Mumbai is the economic heart of India and one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the country. But many of its 20 million inhabitants live on the streets or in slums found all over in the city. In one of these, about forty minutes by train from the centre of the city in the north west, live about 400 thousand people in conditions of extreme poverty.

It is here that in 1997 several families in the slum decided to set up a social project in collaboration with ‘Support at a Distance’, a project run by New Families. In 2001, during her first visit to India, Chiara Lubich encouraged them to develop what they had begun as ‘a practical response to the poverty around us.’

From then on the project has grown. Today it cares for 115 young people from 4 to 22 years old. Its activities aim at supporting students in their schooling, nutrition and health, in order to raise the standard of life for them and their families. In 2004 the project took the name ‘Udisha’ which means ‘the sun ray that announces the new dawn’. Today Udisha participates in the Schoolmates project, a Teens for Unity project, which seeks to build up a network among school classes and groups of young people in various countries and to support projects that promote solidarity.

Main activities:

Schooling and education. In India the schools have 70-80 students per class. This makes it difficult to give individual tuition and, to pass their exams, the young people have to attend expensive private support lessons. The poorest among them, since they cannot afford this, are forced to give up their studies. Udisha, therefore, offers free support lessons in several subjects. In addition it tries to raise funds to pay for further schooling, educational equipment and school uniforms. Occasionally extra-curricular cultural and recreational activities are organized.

Intercultural awareness. There are various religions present at Udisha: Christian, Hindu and Muslim. One of the project’s objectives is to contribute to creating constructive integration, culturally, religiously, linguistically and also between the generations. It encourages exchanges of experience and activities, working together especially with the Shanti Ashram of Coimbatore.

Medical treatment. Many of the young people suffer from malnutrition. They are at risk from the seasonal epidemics that come with the rains or floods. For this reason during the year there are group medical visits involving both doctors in the area and other organizations. Help is also given to improve domestic diet with proteins and vitamins through the distribution of food stuffs and dietary supplements. For some time a counselling service for young people and parents has also been on offer.

Training in parenting. Meetings to raise understanding and to share good practice among families are organized periodically for parents. These are occasions for a rich exchange of experiences, advice and points of view.

Microcredit. A year ago Udisha began an small venture into microcredit which involves seventy of the young people’s mothers. Split into three groups that meet monthly, these mothers have been trained in microcredit in the kind of atmosphere of mutual trust  absolutely necessary for such a venture to work. This year they will start to offer loans.

Source: Schoolmates website

Mariapolis gatherings in the world: signs of a society renewed by love

Aug 18, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

Many cities were united with one another by a network of Mariapolises that were held around the world this year, from Sicily, in Italy to Bolivia, from Macedonia to the United States. Each Mariapolis had its own personality, but all of them shared the same spirit, based on universal brotherhood and the building of a better and more just society. In Chicago, USA, our Muslim friends travelled without food or water because of Ramadan, so that they could take part in the Mariapolis for one day that was dedicated to interreligious dialogue. Experiences on love of neighbor were shared by families, including a Muslim couple and a Jewish and Catholic husband and wife. Diversity of religions and nations was also evident in Macedonia where the theme of the Mariapolis was “The other another me”. The choice of this title immediately heightened the communion among all, between young people and adults, among Muslims, Orthodox and Catholics, between Macedonians and Albanians and also with those who arrived from Kosovo. The splendid natural surroundings, the hiking trails and sport activities provided opportunities to be open to one another and enter into the life stories of others. The motto of the Mariapolis in Lithuania was “Being bridges.” One bridge was built with Syria by inviting everyone to pray the time out for peace each day and collecting money for areas ravaged by war. Nearly 459 euros were collected. Many other bridges were built among people of different languages and cultures: there were Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians. The language barrier was overcome by speaking Russian, which is a common language among adults, while the young people spoke English among themselves. Language was never a barrier on the other side of the world in Indonesia where Indonesian, Chinese and English were the languages used by the 125 participants of the Mariapolis in Yogyakarta. And so a bit of the world has lived an extraordinary experience, the same experience that is repeated when evangelical love lies at the basis of every relationship. In Argentina the motto of the Mariapolis was “An experience of society renewed” to underscore that it is possible to transform society if we begin from ourselves, from our surroundings, remaining faithful in small things. From children to elderly, everyone experienced the various expressions of love: tangible, joyful, true, concrete love.

In Cairo: “We will pray together in the streets”

Aug 17, 2013 | Focolare Worldwide

They write from Egypt: “We want to assure you that all the members of the Movement in Egypt are well.  The 14th of August was quite a painful day for the country, especially for Christians. As expected the government decided to vacate the occupied squares and unfortunately the reaction was surprisingly violent not only against the army, but against Christians as well. Throughout the country important churches, even ancient ones have been burned, also convents and schools that are run by men and women religious orders. Moderate Muslims immediately spoke out against the attacks and many offered to stand around churches to protect them. The grateful Christians asked them not to put their own lives in danger, because buildings can be reconstructed once the violence has passed.” “The Coptic Church is offering a powerful witness: Pope Tawadros has asked the faithful not to respond to any of the violence: “Will they burn the churches? We will pray in the mosques. Will they burn the mosques? We will pray in the churches. Will they burn both? We will pray together in the streets, for we are all Egyptians.” A. M. from the hard hit city of Assiut writes: “The church buildings have become incense burners, and the incense rises to Heaven to beg God for mercy on this people and grant miracles.” “A month-long state of emergency has been declared and in many cities there is a curfew from 19:00 until 6:00 in the morning. The situation is very serious and we are living moments of suspension, but we are held up by our unwavering faith in God’s love, a faith found not only in us but in all of Egypt’s Christians and Muslims.” “We feel the strong support of prayers from the Movement around the world and, on this feast of Our Lady’s Assumption, we have entrusted to Mary the people of this land who love her so dearly. “Rooted in the life of the Gospel, which invites us to love one another and everyone else, we offer this great suffering for the strengthening of peace not only here, but in the entire Middle East.”