Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi visited the town of Qbayyat in Akkar today, Saturday, at the invitation of the Maronite Bishop of Tripoli and the North, Bishop Joseph Soueif, as part of the activities of the Apostolic Days for Youth. Al-Rahi pointed out that "the political crisis we are in gives rise to all other crises: economic, living, and developmental. Many young people are leaving because of these crises, yet Lebanon’s history is one of resilience. Our youth are determined to endure and stay. Be confident that together with our unity and by transcending our wounds, we can restore Lebanon's vitality, dignity, and role in this part of the world. This requires us to change our current reality; we cannot continue on the same path, and on the other hand, it is completely unacceptable to remain a burden to all those concerned about us."
He continued, "Believe me, I am ashamed when we meet delegations that come from abroad asking us to elect a president for the republic. I am ashamed of how the officials in Lebanon are destroying their own country as if political work is only for destruction, which is not correct. Therefore, our prayer today before Our Lady of the Laundry is to ask her to remain with us, to cleanse our hearts and the hearts of everyone from old ideas and everything termed as 'antique' that is no longer beneficial in Lebanon's life, and to cleanse our memory so that we can turn this page."
Later, Patriarch Al-Rahi and all attendees moved to the church hall, where a meeting took place with the local figures, attended by Sheikh Walid Ismail representing Mufti of Akkar Sheikh Zaid Zakaria, Chairman of the Zakat Fund in Akkar Osama Al-Zoubi, Sheikh Ziad Adra, mayors, mukhtars, and activists. The meeting was accompanied by the ringing of bells and hymns at the historical Our Lady of the Laundry Church, with the participation of MP Jimmie Jabour, former MP Hadi Hbeish, Bishop Joseph Soueif, the Bishop of Tripoli and its surrounding areas for the Greek Catholic, Bishop Edward Daher, President of Caritas Lebanon Father Michel Aboud, Mayor of Qbayyat Abdo Makhlouf Abdo, alongside security leaders, mayors, and a large crowd of priests, laity, activists, apostolic movements, and youth scouts.
After the prayer, Bishop Soueif delivered a speech, thanking Patriarch Al-Rahi for his visit and for his support of this youth gathering, as well as thanking everyone who participated in the meeting in Qbayyat.
