Hawzah News Agency - Shukrallah Nabil El Haj made the remark in an interview with IQNA, on the occasion of the birthday of Jesus (AS) and the Christian new year.

He talked about role of religious teachings in promotion of peace and brotherhood and also the importance of Palestine as the cradle of divine faiths.

He said Jesus Christ (AS) emphasized all commandments with a single teaching: “Love for God and love for humanity”, specifically focusing on love for those who are near you and your neighbors.

This means that Jesus first highlighted the importance of caring for humanity in general, and then gave special attention to one’s neighbors, he stated.

“I don’t think that if Jesus (AS) were among us today, he would have a message more important for humanity than this: the religious teaching of loving God and others with all your heart and being. Just as you love yourself, you should love others. This is our mission today and a crucial lesson of faith.”

Asked about the responsibility of the world Christians regarding the issue of Palestine, the Archbishop of Tyre said, “As a Christian scholar, based on what I have learned from Jesus (AS), I must first love my close ones and strive to reach a point of understanding and common ground with them. We should have the capacity to accept one another and live together in peace, brotherhood, love, and friendship. This important teaching of Christianity emphasizes the crucial role of every Christian in establishing peace with their brothers.

According to El Haj, Jesus Christ said that blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

“Therefore, the message of Christianity is primarily a message of peace and love. From a global perspective, every human being has the right to defend themselves, their country, and their civilization; thus, a Palestinian Christian must defend their homeland, just as the Lebanese have the right to defend theirs. There must certainly be solidarity among Arabs with the Palestinian people, as this is a necessity for all people in the region, and we support the restoration of rights in Palestine. Palestine is undoubtedly the exclusive and historical sign of the return of Jesus Christ on earth, where he spent his life, delivered his message, and proclaimed his good news.”

Source: IQNA