“Last Bastion of Christianity in the Middle East is Collapsing” Lawmakers Warned

Lebanese Maronite Christians were spotlighted at the In Defense of Christians 2020 Summit, held virtually Wednesday evening, as their country is challenged with economic turmoil and the fallout from the August 4 Beirut blast. The bipartisan event featured speeches from prominent elected officials, highlighted President Donald Trump’s 2020 Executive Order on advancing international religious freedom, showcased the considerable year of accomplishments on behalf of international religious freedom in Congress and the Trump Administration, and in doing so, exhibited the best of America.

Host Tracy Sabol, lead anchor at EWTN Nightly News, spoke live from IDC’s headquarters in Washington, DC, and the digital event included seamless transitions, with speeches given by religious leaders, including Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and IDC board members from around the world.

The evening began in prayer, led by Pastor Dan Cummins of Capitol Worship, who stood before a painting of Puritan settlers to America in the Capitol Rotunda – reminding of those who have fled, or are currently fleeing, religious persecution.

IDC President Toufic Baaklini delivered the introductory speech, thanking Trump for his Executive Order on advancing international religious freedom, commending Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and USAID Acting Administrator John Barsa for all they have done to “elevate” the issue of religious freedom around the world, and finally, thanking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for their work in passing the resolution to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. 

Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) was named the IDC 2020 Congressional Champion Awardee. “Some people call you Captain America, so thank you, Captain America,” IDC President Baaklini stated as he handed Crenshaw a plaque made from Lebanese cedar. Crenshaw, a Navy SEAL, served in Lebanon, as well as in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In accepting the award, Crenshaw called the fight for international religious freedom “a fight we must be willing to have, because it matters,” and stated that “the fight for freedom is more important than anything else.”

Senators Shaheen (D-NH), Portman (R-OH), Markey (D-MA), Gardner (R-CO), and Reps. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Meeks (D-NY), Sires (D-NJ), Wagner (R-MO), Lipinski (D-IL), Buck (R-CO), and Engel (D-NY) were also recognized as IDC Congressional Champions for the year.

Active legislation and Congressional resolutions were highlighted at the summit. Notably, Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma delivered a speech in which he described his Senate resolution, which calls for the Department of State to make the repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws a priority in American foreign policy.

“84 countries in the world still have blasphemy laws on the book,” Lankford stated in an impassioned speech.

Dr. Nadim Haddam, IDC Board Member, laid out the organization’s seven priorities in the upcoming year. The priorities include calling on countries around the world to repeal blasphemy laws, advocating for the right of return of Christian refugees to Iraq, ensuring the safety of Coptic Christians in Egypt, holding Iran accountable for its imprisoned Christians and actions in Lebanon, designating Saudi Arabia a country of particular concern on issues of religious freedom, keeping an eye on Turkey and condemning the conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque, and finally, providing humanitarian assistance in Lebanon.

Talk of Lebanon’s Maronite Christians was a recurring theme throughout the night, with Haddam asserting that “the last bastion of Christianity in the Middle East is collapsing,” in reference to Lebanon.

Barsa, Acting Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), delivered a speech in which he described the agency’s efforts to aid the Lebanese people, especially its Christians, in the days and months following the August 4 Beirut blast.

Furthermore, former Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA), co-founder of the Caucus of Religious Minorities in the Middle East, fervently addressed the need for US leadership and action on issues of religious freedom globally. He invoked Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous quote, stating, “In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

All in all, the event highlighted the great strides this administration and members of Congress are taking in the fight for religious freedom globally, and accented the accomplishments that can be had when Americans come together to act for persecuted minorities abroad. The evening reminded viewers, however, that there is still much work to be done on the issue of religious freedom around the world.